A man is heading to the mosque and the prayer has been called, and on his way he finds young men playing; should he advise them, knowing that he will miss the first rak'ah, or what should he do?
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The questioner : A man left his house after the iqamah, and on his way to the mosque he found a group of people who had not gone to the mosque and young men playing ball. Is it permissible for him to be occupied with missing the first rak'ah in order to command all of them to pray, or should he suffice with a few words so that he catches the first rak'ah?
The Shaykh : We say: If he hopes that Allah will benefit them through him, there is no harm in his staying with them, even if he misses the first or second rak'ah. This is because catching the first or second rak'ah is a desirable matter, without doubt, but it is a recommended practice (sunnah). As for his staying with these people to command them to do what is right and forbid them from doing what is wrong, that is obligatory, provided he hopes that Allah will benefit them through him. However, if he is despairing of them, knowing that these people are not inclined toward him or toward what he says, let him go and return to them after the prayer to command them and forbid them.
The Shaykh : We say: If he hopes that Allah will benefit them through him, there is no harm in his staying with them, even if he misses the first or second rak'ah. This is because catching the first or second rak'ah is a desirable matter, without doubt, but it is a recommended practice (sunnah). As for his staying with these people to command them to do what is right and forbid them from doing what is wrong, that is obligatory, provided he hopes that Allah will benefit them through him. However, if he is despairing of them, knowing that these people are not inclined toward him or toward what he says, let him go and return to them after the prayer to command them and forbid them.