We are students in Karachi and we live on an island outside the city, and there is only one mosque where the prayer is held, but we have seen customs about which we do not know their correctness.
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The questioner : We are students in Karachi and we live on an island outside the city, and there is only one mosque where the prayer is held, but we have seen customs about which we do not know their correctness. Among them is that the iqamah is like the adhan and may be longer. Second, they do not straighten the rows and leave gaps in them. Third, they race the imam in his prayer in the ruku' and sujud and they say the taslim with him. Fourth, they pray two rak'ahs sitting after the two rak'ahs of the sunnah. Fifth, after the 'Isha' prayer they shake their heads forward and backward and take deep breaths, then the imam mutters words of which we understand nothing. What is your opinion of these customs? Is it permissible for us to pray in our home, or should we pray in this mosque alone, or with them? Please inform us of what is best. May Allah reward you with good?
The Shaykh : These actions mentioned by the questioner, namely that they make the iqamah like the adhan, some scholars hold that view, but the correct view is that the iqamah is shorter than the adhan, as is well known. As for their not straightening the rows and leaving gaps in them, this is a great error, for straightening the rows is part of the completion of the prayer, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded their straightening and closing the gaps. This action they were doing is an error. As for their shaking their heads forward and backward after the 'Isha' prayer, this also has no basis and is a religious innovation. Likewise, this muttering that the imam does, of which it is not known what he is saying, we say to them: this also must be known, whether it is true or false. It appears, and Allah knows best, that it is a religious innovation. Also, their racing the imam in the ruku', sujud, standing, and sitting is also an error and is forbidden for them. The prayer of one who races the imam is invalid if he did so intentionally and knowingly, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sunan Abi Dawud 603Sahih (Al-Albani) And he said the same regarding the rest of the actions of the prayer. It is obligatory for the ma'mum not to precede his imam nor to match him, but rather he should follow him without lagging behind. As for their praying two rak'ahs sitting after the sunnah, I do not know any basis for this. Rather, something similar was reported after the witr, where one prays two rak'ahs sitting. But after the sunnah of the prayer, I do not know any basis for it.
And the brother's question: do they pray with them or in their homes? We say: the best is that you pray with them and advise them against these innovative matters. Then, if they are guided, it is for you and for them. And if they are not guided, it is for you and upon them. And at that time, you have an excuse to pray alone. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.
The questioner : This is a message from the female questioner, Sh. M., from Mosul, Iraq.
The Shaykh : These actions mentioned by the questioner, namely that they make the iqamah like the adhan, some scholars hold that view, but the correct view is that the iqamah is shorter than the adhan, as is well known. As for their not straightening the rows and leaving gaps in them, this is a great error, for straightening the rows is part of the completion of the prayer, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded their straightening and closing the gaps. This action they were doing is an error. As for their shaking their heads forward and backward after the 'Isha' prayer, this also has no basis and is a religious innovation. Likewise, this muttering that the imam does, of which it is not known what he is saying, we say to them: this also must be known, whether it is true or false. It appears, and Allah knows best, that it is a religious innovation. Also, their racing the imam in the ruku', sujud, standing, and sitting is also an error and is forbidden for them. The prayer of one who races the imam is invalid if he did so intentionally and knowingly, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
The imam is appointed only to be followed; when he says "Allah is most great," say "Allah is most great" and do not say "Allah is most great" until he says "Allah is most great." When he bows; bow; and do not bow until he bows.
إنما جعل الإمام ليؤتم به، فإذا كبر فكبروا، ولا تكبروا حتى يكبر، وإذا ركع فاركعوا، ولا تركعوا حتى يركعAnd the brother's question: do they pray with them or in their homes? We say: the best is that you pray with them and advise them against these innovative matters. Then, if they are guided, it is for you and for them. And if they are not guided, it is for you and upon them. And at that time, you have an excuse to pray alone. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.
The questioner : This is a message from the female questioner, Sh. M., from Mosul, Iraq.