Does not this hadith indicate that congregational prayer is not obligatory if a person isolates himself?
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The questioner : Does not this hadith indicate that congregational prayer is not obligatory if a person isolates himself?
The Shaykh : No, if he is far from the mosque, it is not obligatory for him. We say regarding the shepherd who tends sheep: he is not required to come from the pasture to pray with the congregation. This is not obligatory.
The questioner : By his own choice?
The Shaykh : Even if it is by his own choice. Even if a person leaves the town, he has the right to do so, not as an escape from the obligation of praying with the congregation. This applies even in permissible matters. Is it not the case that a traveler in Ramadan breaks his fast?
The questioner : Yes
The Shaykh : We do not say: do not travel in Ramadan, because if you travel, you will not fast.
The Shaykh : No, if he is far from the mosque, it is not obligatory for him. We say regarding the shepherd who tends sheep: he is not required to come from the pasture to pray with the congregation. This is not obligatory.
The questioner : By his own choice?
The Shaykh : Even if it is by his own choice. Even if a person leaves the town, he has the right to do so, not as an escape from the obligation of praying with the congregation. This applies even in permissible matters. Is it not the case that a traveler in Ramadan breaks his fast?
The questioner : Yes
The Shaykh : We do not say: do not travel in Ramadan, because if you travel, you will not fast.