What is the ruling on collective fasting and standing in prayer at night?
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The questioner : O Shaykh: What is the ruling on collective fasting and standing in prayer at night?
The Shaykh : As for standing in prayer at night, sometimes in congregation, there is nothing wrong with it, because it is established that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sometimes stood in prayer with some of the Companions, such as Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman, Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, and Abdullah ibn Abbas.
As for fasting in congregation, there is no basis for it. However, if it happens that they fast on a certain day and say, "We will break our fast at one of our homes," there is nothing wrong with that. But if they agree that they will fast tomorrow, or that they will fast every Monday, or every Thursday, there is no basis for that.
The Shaykh : As for standing in prayer at night, sometimes in congregation, there is nothing wrong with it, because it is established that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sometimes stood in prayer with some of the Companions, such as Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman, Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, and Abdullah ibn Abbas.
As for fasting in congregation, there is no basis for it. However, if it happens that they fast on a certain day and say, "We will break our fast at one of our homes," there is nothing wrong with that. But if they agree that they will fast tomorrow, or that they will fast every Monday, or every Thursday, there is no basis for that.