What is the ruling on praying Fajr before the time has entered, not intentionally, but in agreement with someone who does not know the distinction between the white thread and the black thread?
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The questioner : In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
His EminenceThe Shaykh : What is the ruling on a group of Muslims who pray Fajr before the time has entered, not intentionally, but in agreement with someone who does not know the distinction between the white thread and the black thread? Does the prayer suffice?
The Shaykh : According to the question, they are praying following this man whom they do not know.
The questioner : In agreement with his statement.
The Shaykh : Yes, in agreement with his statement; they act upon his word, and they know that the man does not know.
The questioner : They do not know that, being negligent, they do not know that he does not know, but they did not verify.
The Shaykh : Except after the fact?
The questioner : And not after the fact.
The Shaykh : So, as long as they are confident in him and know that this man has knowledge of the entry of the time, they owe nothing, because up to now it has not become clear that they prayed before the time. If it has not become clear and they have this man in whom they trust, there is no blame on them.
But a person should be cautious as long as he is in doubt, so he should not pray until he is convinced or certain.
The questioner : Should he separate from the congregation?
The Shaykh : Even if he separates from the congregation, but he should also advise the congregation if he is in doubt about the matter. He should advise you and say: Wait five minutes, ten minutes, and it does no harm, because a person waiting ten minutes or a quarter of an hour is better than him advancing by one minute.
His EminenceThe Shaykh : What is the ruling on a group of Muslims who pray Fajr before the time has entered, not intentionally, but in agreement with someone who does not know the distinction between the white thread and the black thread? Does the prayer suffice?
The Shaykh : According to the question, they are praying following this man whom they do not know.
The questioner : In agreement with his statement.
The Shaykh : Yes, in agreement with his statement; they act upon his word, and they know that the man does not know.
The questioner : They do not know that, being negligent, they do not know that he does not know, but they did not verify.
The Shaykh : Except after the fact?
The questioner : And not after the fact.
The Shaykh : So, as long as they are confident in him and know that this man has knowledge of the entry of the time, they owe nothing, because up to now it has not become clear that they prayed before the time. If it has not become clear and they have this man in whom they trust, there is no blame on them.
But a person should be cautious as long as he is in doubt, so he should not pray until he is convinced or certain.
The questioner : Should he separate from the congregation?
The Shaykh : Even if he separates from the congregation, but he should also advise the congregation if he is in doubt about the matter. He should advise you and say: Wait five minutes, ten minutes, and it does no harm, because a person waiting ten minutes or a quarter of an hour is better than him advancing by one minute.