They also complain about the imam's movements or actions during the prayer, saying that he does not raise his hands at the takbir of entering prayer and does not fold his hands, and they do not say...

The questioner : They also complain about the imam's movements or actions in the prayer, saying that he does not raise his hands at the takbir of entering prayer and does not fold his hands, and they do not say... They also do not say "Ameen" after the al-Fatihah, and they ask what their position is regarding these movements and actions and the blessing. They say that some of us went to the prayer and some of us stayed away, and a major dispute arose among us over that. We have learned that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said We are the ones who refused to go; is there anything upon us? Are we in the right or in the wrong? And if we are in the wrong, do we have to make expiation for what we missed? Please advise us; may Allah reward you with good?

The Shaykh : Your staying away from the Friday prayer for the reasons you mentioned is wrong, and it is obligatory for you to attend and pray with the imam. As for the imam's leaving off the raising of the hands at the takbir of entering prayer and his leaving off placing the right hand over the left, this is leaving off a recommended practice (sunnah), not leaving off an obligatory act that invalidates the prayer; rather, it is leaving off a recommended practice. What they should do is contact the imam and clarify the truth to him in this matter. If they speak with sincerity and the intention of reform, then Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) will make their speech beneficial. If they have stayed away in the past, then there is no expiation for them in that, meaning there is no expiation required of them in that; rather, they must return to praying with the Muslims.

The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh : Yes.