Lesson 27 The Congregational Prayer (Continued) by Alhuda Bolton

Saturday 11 March 2017
Chapter: The Congregational Prayer (Continued)
• Recap of Last Lesson on the importance of the Congregational Prayer

• Reasons for which a person may MISS the congregational Prayer
o With a reason
 E.g. Illness
 E.g. Fear
 If a person misses the congregational prayer but it is his habit that he attends it but he had a genuine excuse, then he will receive the same reward
o Without a reason
 Due to Laziness
 Majority of scholars say such a person’s prayer is still valid
 But he/she will lose a great deal of reward
 Example of the hadith about the blind man

• Where should the congregational prayer be done?
o Statement of Ibnul Qayyim
o Males should pray in the mosque
o Situations where it is not possible to pray in the mosque
 E.g. praying at the workplace

• How many people do you need to form a congregation?
o Minimum of two people (e.g. opinion of Shaykh Al Fawzaan)
o The meaning of the word Jama’ah
o Hadith regarding the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) calling two people praying a Jama’ah
o Minimum of three people (e.g. opinion Imam Abu Hanifah) and the evidence supporting this ruling
o Other opinions

• Best place for women to pray
o Home vs mosque
• Best place for men to pray
• Can sisters pray at home and form a congregation?
• Can Muslim women be Imam at the mosque?
• Examples of Bidah e.g. strange circumstance of some muslims deciding to pray the Jumuah (Friday Prayer) on Saturday

• Which Masjid is better for you to pray?
o Far from your house or near to you?
o Choosing between a masjid of Sunnah and a masjid of biddah

• In a mosque where there is a Fixed Imam, then It is not permissible for anyone else to lead the prayer without his permission
o What to do if he is late
• The same (above) applies in the home, i.e. the owner of the home has the right to lead the prayer unless they give permission

• What to do if you have already prayed (e.g. combined maghrib and Isha due to traveling) and you come into the masjid and the people are praying in congregation?
o Do you join them or sit at the back?

• Once the Iqamah is started it is impermissible for you to start any other prayer
o What if you already were praying and the iqamah is given? Do you break your prayer and join the iqamah?
o The scholars (e.g. Ibn Utheymeen) say if you have a lot left of your prayer and the iqamah is given then stop it and join the congregation, however if you are close to finishing it then finish it off

• QA
o Distance between the Imam and the people praying behind him
o Is it allowed for you to leave the mosque if you hear the adhan? What about a sister who hears the adhan? What about other exceptions?
o If two people are praying, should they be in Line or should the Imam be ahead?
o Is an unmarried sister allowed to travel to a different country without a mahram but she has sons?
o Question about marriage