What is the ruling on holding two congregations in one mosque, and is the prayer of one of them invalid if they are at the same time?
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The questioner : May Allah reward you. He says:The questioner : What is the ruling on holding two congregations in one mosque? And is the prayer of one of them invalid if they are at the same time?
The Shaykh : Holding two congregations in one mosque at the same time is not possible, and I do not think any Muslim would hold two congregations in one mosque at the same time except for a reason, such as the second congregation praying Maghrib while the other congregation prays 'Isha'; that is possible. As for praying in congregation for the same prayer, they will not separate.
But what is the ruling on holding two congregations after the first congregation has finished?
The answer is that it is a recommended practice (sunnah), meaning if you enter the mosque and there is a congregation with you, and you find that the people have already prayed, then establish the congregation and pray in congregation; this is from the Sunnah, and its evidence is two things:
First: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Bulugh al-Maram 2:330, and this is general.
Second: A man entered the mosque after the prayer had ended, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: So the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) approved the second congregation, even though it was for one of the two men, what is it? A voluntary prayer. So how much more so if it were an obligatory prayer? If the Messenger (may Allah's prayer and peace be upon him) commanded the establishment of the second congregation in a voluntary prayer, then establishing the second congregation in an obligatory prayer is even more so, and there is no doubt about this.
So we say: Holding two congregations in one mosque at the same time for one prayer is not possible, and it is obligatory for those who enter to be with the first congregation. But after the first congregation has finished, establishing the second congregation is a recommended practice (sunnah).
And you have heard the two pieces of evidence for this, and they are two clear pieces of evidence.
But this should not be made a habit, meaning that the second congregation does not stay buying and selling until the first one leaves, then they enter the mosque and pray; this is not permissible. But if they come wanting to pray and find that the people have already prayed, they pray in congregation. Yes.
The Shaykh : Holding two congregations in one mosque at the same time is not possible, and I do not think any Muslim would hold two congregations in one mosque at the same time except for a reason, such as the second congregation praying Maghrib while the other congregation prays 'Isha'; that is possible. As for praying in congregation for the same prayer, they will not separate.
But what is the ruling on holding two congregations after the first congregation has finished?
The answer is that it is a recommended practice (sunnah), meaning if you enter the mosque and there is a congregation with you, and you find that the people have already prayed, then establish the congregation and pray in congregation; this is from the Sunnah, and its evidence is two things:
First: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
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 الرجلين أزكى من صلاته مع الرجل، وما كان أكثر فهو أحب إلى اللهSecond: A man entered the mosque after the prayer had ended, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Is there a man who would give charity to him so that he stands and prays with him?
ألا رجل يتصدق عليه فيقوم ويصلي معه؟So we say: Holding two congregations in one mosque at the same time for one prayer is not possible, and it is obligatory for those who enter to be with the first congregation. But after the first congregation has finished, establishing the second congregation is a recommended practice (sunnah).
And you have heard the two pieces of evidence for this, and they are two clear pieces of evidence.
But this should not be made a habit, meaning that the second congregation does not stay buying and selling until the first one leaves, then they enter the mosque and pray; this is not permissible. But if they come wanting to pray and find that the people have already prayed, they pray in congregation. Yes.