(There is no prayer for one who prays alone behind the rows) Is the negation for perfection or for validity?
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The questioner : The statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), "There is no prayer for one who prays alone behind the rows," is it to be understood as negating validity or negating perfection?
The Shaykh : There is scholarly disagreement on this. The position of the three Imams and a narration from Ahmad is that it is a negation of perfection; that is, there is no [perfect] prayer for one who prays alone behind the rows, but if he prays, his prayer is valid. The second opinion is that it is a negation of validity. You have now learned from the rule that when two people disagree whether a negation refers to perfection or validity, it is to be understood as a negation of validity. Accordingly, the correct view is that it is a negation of validity. However, this indicates that aligning with the row is obligatory, and every obligatory act is excused if one is unable to perform it. Therefore, if the row is complete, one is unable to join it, and in that case, the prayer of the one who prays alone behind the row is valid if the row is complete.
The Shaykh : There is scholarly disagreement on this. The position of the three Imams and a narration from Ahmad is that it is a negation of perfection; that is, there is no [perfect] prayer for one who prays alone behind the rows, but if he prays, his prayer is valid. The second opinion is that it is a negation of validity. You have now learned from the rule that when two people disagree whether a negation refers to perfection or validity, it is to be understood as a negation of validity. Accordingly, the correct view is that it is a negation of validity. However, this indicates that aligning with the row is obligatory, and every obligatory act is excused if one is unable to perform it. Therefore, if the row is complete, one is unable to join it, and in that case, the prayer of the one who prays alone behind the row is valid if the row is complete.