I heard on your radio program that it is not permissible to pray behind the congregation in a row if the worshipper is alone, and that he must wait until another person arrives.

The questioner : I heard on your radio program that it is not permissible to pray behind the congregation in a row if the worshipper is alone, and that he must wait until another person arrives to pray with him. It is well known that the religion is ease, and it has made many matters easy. Is it permissible for a worshipper who goes with the intention of praying, for example, the Fajr prayer, to wait until the prayer is missed if no one else comes? And will he be recorded as having the reward of one who prays in congregation?

The Shaykh : Yes. What you mentioned that you heard is correct according to some scholars, but the stronger opinion is that if a person arrives and the row is complete, he should pray behind the row alone with the congregation. His prayer is valid, and he is recorded as having the full reward of the congregation if he catches one rak'ah or more of the prayer. This is based on the saying of Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He: This man cannot do more than this. He has no right to pull someone back to delay them, nor does he have the right to move forward with the imam. All that remains is for him to leave without praying with the congregation, or to wait for someone to come, and perhaps no one will come, or to remain standing in the row alone. This is the specific course of action. The stronger opinion is that if a person arrives and the row is complete, there is no harm in him standing alone and praying with the congregation. Yes.

The questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh, and may Allah bless you and your knowledge, and benefit Islam and the Muslims through you.