I was praying in congregation with my colleague, and I was the imam. Another person entered and pushed me, so I moved two steps forward. Is my prayer valid or not?
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The questioner : This questioner from Jordan says: “May the Shaykh be rewarded. I was praying in congregation with my colleague, and I was the imam. Another person entered and pushed me, so I moved two steps forward. I do not know whether my prayer is valid or not. May you be rewarded.”
The Shaykh : The prayer of this imam is valid because he did not do anything that invalidates the prayer. But I do not know why this person who entered pushed him. Perhaps the situation is that two men were praying, one following the other, and then a third man came and moved the imam forward so that they would be behind him. This happens often. But some people ask: “Should I push the imam before I pray, meaning before I enter the prayer, or should I enter the prayer and then push the imam?” We tell him: Push the imam before you pray, meaning before you enter the prayer.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And his companion with him is not considered to be praying alone, because the matter is a brief moment. So if you enter with two men who are praying, push the imam forward and then enter the prayer. And if the space in front is narrow, move the ma'mum back and then enter the prayer. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : The prayer of this imam is valid because he did not do anything that invalidates the prayer. But I do not know why this person who entered pushed him. Perhaps the situation is that two men were praying, one following the other, and then a third man came and moved the imam forward so that they would be behind him. This happens often. But some people ask: “Should I push the imam before I pray, meaning before I enter the prayer, or should I enter the prayer and then push the imam?” We tell him: Push the imam before you pray, meaning before you enter the prayer.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And his companion with him is not considered to be praying alone, because the matter is a brief moment. So if you enter with two men who are praying, push the imam forward and then enter the prayer. And if the space in front is narrow, move the ma'mum back and then enter the prayer. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.