Those who prayed in a second congregation after the first congregation had finished in the Prophet’s Mosque: do they receive the reward of a thousand prayers?
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The questioner : May Allah reward you. A questioner asks: If one finishes the prayer in the Prophet’s Mosque and then some of the latecomers form a congregation, does this congregation receive the reward of a thousand prayers?
The Shaykh : No, the second congregation does not receive the reward of the first congregation. However, congregational prayer is better than praying alone. This means that if we enter as a group and the prayer has already ended, it is better for us to pray in congregation, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Bulugh al-Maram 2:330 But the reward of the first congregation is not attained by the second congregation.
The questioner : May Allah reward you. A questioner asks: What is the ruling on...
The Shaykh : It has become well-known among some students of knowledge that a second congregation is not established after the first congregation. This is not stated in absolute terms; rather, we say that the issue requires detailed analysis:
If the mosque is prepared for congregations, such as mosques located on roads near bus stations or far from the station, then the congregation is repeated in them without any doubt, because they are not established for a specific, regular congregation. Whenever a group arrives and stops, they pray in this mosque. There is no doubt in this, and I do not think anyone would dispute that the second congregation after the first is prescribed.
The second category: It becomes customary in this mosque to establish two congregations. This is a religious innovation and is forbidden.
The third category: This mosque has a regular congregation, and people enter after the prayer has ended. In this case, we say: Pray in congregation, for it is better. This is indicated by the hadith I mentioned, the hadith of Abu ibn Ka'b:Sunan Abi Dawud 554Hasan (Al-Albani) Complete it.
The student: ... .
The Shaykh :Bulugh al-Maram 2:330 May Allah bless you.
And likewise, the other hadith: So a congregation was established after the first congregation, but this was not a regular one. Thus, establishing two congregations in one mosque is divided into?
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : Four categories? Three categories. Yes.
The Shaykh : No, the second congregation does not receive the reward of the first congregation. However, congregational prayer is better than praying alone. This means that if we enter as a group and the prayer has already ended, it is better for us to pray in congregation, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
A man's prayer offered with another man is purer than his prayer which he offers alone, and his prayer with two men is purer than his prayer with one and if they are more (in number), it is more beloved to Allah
صلاة الرجل مع الرجل أزكى من صلاته وحده وصلاته مع رجلين أزكى من صلاته مع الرجل وما كان أكثر فهو أحب إلى اللهThe questioner : May Allah reward you. A questioner asks: What is the ruling on...
The Shaykh : It has become well-known among some students of knowledge that a second congregation is not established after the first congregation. This is not stated in absolute terms; rather, we say that the issue requires detailed analysis:
If the mosque is prepared for congregations, such as mosques located on roads near bus stations or far from the station, then the congregation is repeated in them without any doubt, because they are not established for a specific, regular congregation. Whenever a group arrives and stops, they pray in this mosque. There is no doubt in this, and I do not think anyone would dispute that the second congregation after the first is prescribed.
The second category: It becomes customary in this mosque to establish two congregations. This is a religious innovation and is forbidden.
The third category: This mosque has a regular congregation, and people enter after the prayer has ended. In this case, we say: Pray in congregation, for it is better. This is indicated by the hadith I mentioned, the hadith of Abu ibn Ka'b:
A man's prayer said along with another
صلاة الرجل مع الرجلThe student: ... .
The Shaykh :
purer than his prayer which he offers alone, and his prayer with two men is purer than his prayer with one and if they are more (in number), it is more beloved to Allah
أزكى من صلاته وحده وصلاته مع الرجلين أزكى من صلاته مع الرجل وما كان أكثر فهو أحب إلى اللهAnd likewise, the other hadith:
A man entered who had missed the prayer, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Who will give charity to this man by praying with him? So one of the Companions stood up and prayed with him.
دخل رجل قد فاتته الصلاة فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم : من يتصدق على هذا فيصلي معه ؟ فقام أحد الصحابة فصلى معهThe student: ... .
The Shaykh : Four categories? Three categories. Yes.