What is the ruling on establishing the prayer in the mosque if the imam delays in establishing it, as happens in some mosques?
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The questioner : Shaykh, may Allah reward you. In some mosques, the imam delays, meaning usually it is about fifteen minutes after the adhan until the iqamah. People who are in a hurry come and pray.
The Shaykh : In the same mosque.
The questioner : Yes, they pray in congregation by themselves.
The Shaykh : I say: In the same mosque.
The questioner : Yes, in the same mosque. What is the ruling on their prayer?
The Shaykh : It is not permissible for these people to pray in the mosque before their imam. If they do so, they are sinful.
Some scholars say that their prayer is not valid. This and the opinion that it is forbidden are clear and strong, because if we opened the door, any two people would come and pray, and the imam who comes would find only the mu'adhdhin with him when he arrives. This is forbidden and not permissible.
However, I hold back from saying their prayer is invalid. If they repeat it, that is better. If they repeat it, that is better. But they might say: We are travelers, and if we sit and wait for the imam, it will hinder us from traveling. We say: Praise be to Allah, since you are travelers and you see that you are excused from leaving the congregation, go and pray in the open.
The Shaykh : In the same mosque.
The questioner : Yes, they pray in congregation by themselves.
The Shaykh : I say: In the same mosque.
The questioner : Yes, in the same mosque. What is the ruling on their prayer?
The Shaykh : It is not permissible for these people to pray in the mosque before their imam. If they do so, they are sinful.
Some scholars say that their prayer is not valid. This and the opinion that it is forbidden are clear and strong, because if we opened the door, any two people would come and pray, and the imam who comes would find only the mu'adhdhin with him when he arrives. This is forbidden and not permissible.
However, I hold back from saying their prayer is invalid. If they repeat it, that is better. If they repeat it, that is better. But they might say: We are travelers, and if we sit and wait for the imam, it will hinder us from traveling. We say: Praise be to Allah, since you are travelers and you see that you are excused from leaving the congregation, go and pray in the open.