Multiple congregations in the mosque at the same time
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He also asks: Is it permissible to move from one congregation in the mosque to another? Which prayer is the obligatory one for him, and which is the recommended practice?
Answer: If he prays with a congregation, there is no reason for him to move to another congregation. If he enters the state of ihram with a congregation and then another congregation comes, he should complete the prayer with the congregation with whom he entered the state of ihram. We do not see a reason for him to move to the other congregation as long as he is praying with a congregation. If he enters the state of ihram with a congregation and prays with them, and then another congregation comes to pray, he does not move to them; rather, they should pray with the people. This last congregation prays with the first congregation and does not separate; because this is a difference with no reason, and it is a religious innovation. For two or three congregations to pray in the mosque, this has no reason. Rather, it is obligatory that if they come and the first imam has not prayed, they pray with him, if there is no obstacle. However, if there is an obstacle with the first imam, such as him being a disbeliever behind whom prayer is not valid, this has a legal reason. But if the imam is one behind whom prayer is valid, they do not multiply the congregations; rather, they all pray together, and congregations do not multiply in the mosque, meaning at the same time. But if the first congregation has prayed and people come who have not prayed, they pray as a congregation. The statement of some of the Salaf that they pray individually is a weak statement and is not correct. The correct view is that if they come and the people have already prayed, they pray as a congregation, not individually, striving for the virtue of the congregation and acting in accordance with the general hadiths. Among these is what is narrated from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:Bulugh al-Maram 2:330.
So the congregation is required. If he misses the prayer with the official congregation, which is the main congregation in the mosque, and then he catches up with a congregation that is praying, he prays with them as a congregation and does not pray alone. Yes.
Answer: If he prays with a congregation, there is no reason for him to move to another congregation. If he enters the state of ihram with a congregation and then another congregation comes, he should complete the prayer with the congregation with whom he entered the state of ihram. We do not see a reason for him to move to the other congregation as long as he is praying with a congregation. If he enters the state of ihram with a congregation and prays with them, and then another congregation comes to pray, he does not move to them; rather, they should pray with the people. This last congregation prays with the first congregation and does not separate; because this is a difference with no reason, and it is a religious innovation. For two or three congregations to pray in the mosque, this has no reason. Rather, it is obligatory that if they come and the first imam has not prayed, they pray with him, if there is no obstacle. However, if there is an obstacle with the first imam, such as him being a disbeliever behind whom prayer is not valid, this has a legal reason. But if the imam is one behind whom prayer is valid, they do not multiply the congregations; rather, they all pray together, and congregations do not multiply in the mosque, meaning at the same time. But if the first congregation has prayed and people come who have not prayed, they pray as a congregation. The statement of some of the Salaf that they pray individually is a weak statement and is not correct. The correct view is that if they come and the people have already prayed, they pray as a congregation, not individually, striving for the virtue of the congregation and acting in accordance with the general hadiths. Among these is what is narrated from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:
A man's prayer offered with another man is purer than his prayer which he offers alone, and his prayer with two men is purer than his prayer with one and if they are more (in number), it is more beloved to Allah
صلاة الرجل مع الرجل أزكى من صلاته وحده، وصلاته مع الرجلان أزكى من صلاته مع الرجل، وما كان أكثر فهو أحب إلى اللهSo the congregation is required. If he misses the prayer with the official congregation, which is the main congregation in the mosque, and then he catches up with a congregation that is praying, he prays with them as a congregation and does not pray alone. Yes.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.