What is the ruling on one who does not pray in the mosque, even though he is a neighbor of the school? This is what many of our teachers do. Thank you.
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The questioner : What is the ruling on one who does not pray in the mosque, even though he is a neighbor of the school? This is what many of our teachers do. Thank you.
The Shaykh : Regarding this issue that the brother from Bangladesh asked about, where some teachers leave off praying in the mosque while it is right next to them, we say that this is an error. This is because the Book and the Sunnah indicate that congregational prayer is obligatory. In the Qur'an, Allah the Exalted said:[An-Nisa 4:102] This is evidence that praying with the congregation is obligatory in a state of fear, so in a state of safety it is all the more so. The fact that He, Glorified and Exalted is He, makes them two groups is evidence that it is an individual obligation, because if it were a collective obligation, the obligation would have been fulfilled by the prayer of the first group.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And this is the correct position. It is indicated by the fact that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, in what is established from him:Sunan Abi Dawud 548Sahih (Al-Albani)
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) intended to do so but did not carry it out. However, we know that he would not intend such a great punishment except for the abandonment of an obligatory matter, for it is not possible that he would intend such a punishment for the abandonment of a recommended matter in which a person is given the choice between doing it and not doing it. Based on this, we say that it is obligatory for these brothers to establish the prayer in congregation. Then, is the congregation obligatory in the mosques, or is it permissible to establish the congregation in a place of work, such as schools and the like?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Or in their homes? This is a matter of two opinions among the scholars as well. The correct view is that they must pray in congregation in the mosques, because the mosques were built for the Muslims to gather in them. A man asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) for permission to pray in his home, and he gave him permission. When the man turned to leave, he said: He said, Yes. He said:
He commanded him to respond, even though he was blind and had no guide to lead him, and he was deserving of compassion for his condition. If there had been compassion for his condition, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would have directed him to it and told him, "Call someone to pray with you in your home," and thereby the congregation would be achieved. When he obligated him to respond and attend the congregation of the Muslims in the mosques, it indicated that congregational prayer in the mosque is obligatory, and that it is not permissible to be absent from it, even if a person establishes the congregation [in his home].
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Based on this, we say to these brothers about whom the man asked that they must pray in the mosque and not be absent from it. May Allah except them if there is an excuse such that work is hindered by their going out to the mosque, or if it is feared that if they go out they will not return. In this case, it may be said that they are excused from going to the mosque, and it is permissible for them to pray in congregation at the school.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The Shaykh : Regarding this issue that the brother from Bangladesh asked about, where some teachers leave off praying in the mosque while it is right next to them, we say that this is an error. This is because the Book and the Sunnah indicate that congregational prayer is obligatory. In the Qur'an, Allah the Exalted said:
And when you are among them and lead them in prayer, let a group of them stand [in prayer] with you and let them carry their arms. And when they have prostrated, let them be [in position] behind you and have the other group come forward which has not [yet] prayed and let them pray with you, taking precaution and carrying their arms.
وإذا كنت فيهم فأقمت لهم الصلاة فلتقم طائفة منهم معك وليأخذوا أسلحتهم فإذا سجدوا فليكونوا من ورائكم ولتأت طائفة أخرى لم يصلوا فليصلوا معك وليأخذوا حذرهم وأسلحتهمThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And this is the correct position. It is indicated by the fact that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, in what is established from him:
I thought to give orders for arranging prayer in congregation, and then to have the Iqamah called for it, then to order a man to lead the people in prayer, then to go off in company of the people who have bundles of firewood to those people who are not present at the prayer and then to burn down their houses with fire.
لقد هممت أن ءامر بالصلاة فتقام ثم ءامر رجلاً فيصلي بالناس ثم أنطلق معي برجال معهم حزم من حطب إلى قوم لا يشهدون الجماعة فأحرّق عليهم بيوتهم بالنارThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) intended to do so but did not carry it out. However, we know that he would not intend such a great punishment except for the abandonment of an obligatory matter, for it is not possible that he would intend such a punishment for the abandonment of a recommended matter in which a person is given the choice between doing it and not doing it. Based on this, we say that it is obligatory for these brothers to establish the prayer in congregation. Then, is the congregation obligatory in the mosques, or is it permissible to establish the congregation in a place of work, such as schools and the like?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Or in their homes? This is a matter of two opinions among the scholars as well. The correct view is that they must pray in congregation in the mosques, because the mosques were built for the Muslims to gather in them. A man asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) for permission to pray in his home, and he gave him permission. When the man turned to leave, he said:
Do you hear the call to prayer?
أتسمع النداء؟Then respond.
فأجبHe commanded him to respond, even though he was blind and had no guide to lead him, and he was deserving of compassion for his condition. If there had been compassion for his condition, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would have directed him to it and told him, "Call someone to pray with you in your home," and thereby the congregation would be achieved. When he obligated him to respond and attend the congregation of the Muslims in the mosques, it indicated that congregational prayer in the mosque is obligatory, and that it is not permissible to be absent from it, even if a person establishes the congregation [in his home].
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Based on this, we say to these brothers about whom the man asked that they must pray in the mosque and not be absent from it. May Allah except them if there is an excuse such that work is hindered by their going out to the mosque, or if it is feared that if they go out they will not return. In this case, it may be said that they are excused from going to the mosque, and it is permissible for them to pray in congregation at the school.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.