Monthly Archives: April 2016

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Q: Is it permissible to perform prayer at home even though the adhan is heard? Likewise deeming the congregational prayer in the masjid to be preferred instead of obligatory (is this permissible)?

A: Some scholars considered congregational prayer in the masjid to be a prerequisite for the validity of prayer, consequently the prayer at home is not allowed unless one is excused. Some scholars hold the opinion that congregational prayer is an individual obligation, yet prayer at home is (still) valid. If one is legitimately excused (in Islam), then Allah will overlook it if He wills and will write his intent. However if he is not excused then he must perform the prayer at the masjid along with the Muslims.  

The evidence for this position is what Abu Huraira narrated where the Prophet -sallahu alayhi wa salaam- said “I swear by Him in whose Hand is my soul, indeed I intended the ordering of firewood (to be gathered), then (the command for) the prayer and hence the adhan is called, then order an individual so that he can lead the people (in prayer). Next I will come behind some men (who do not answer the call to prayer) and burn their homes. I swear by Him in whose Hand is my soul if any of them knew that they would find a meaty bone or two pieces of meat he would have been present for Ishaa.”    

Likewise Ibn Masud said, “We held the opinion that an individual is not absent from the prayer except a hypocrite whose hypocrisy is known, or a sick person even though he is sick he still walks between two men until he reaches the prayer.” He means the people know of the hypocrisy of this individual due to his lagging behind on the congregational prayer intentionally. 

The congregational prayer is a distinguishing characteristic from the Islamic practices and from the greatest of Islamic practices. Therefore it is not permissible for a Muslim to be absent from it except with a (legitimate Islamic) excuse, like if he oversleeps or is sick. If he prays in his home while he is excused then all praise is for Allah alone and He will accept it from him.

On the other hand, if he is deliberate (in being absent) and as such prays the congregational prayer in his home while he hears the summons to it, then no. If you hear the summons to prayer it becomes binding upon you to respond to it. Ibn Umm Makhtum narrated when he asked the Prophet -sallahu alayhi wa salaam-, “O Allah’s Messenger indeed I am a blind man with a home far away (from the masjid), and I have a guide who does not aid me, so is there for me a concession to pray at home?” The Prophet -sallahu alayhi wa salaam said: “Do you hear the summons?“He replied, “yes.” He -sallahu alayhi wa salaam- said: “I can not find for you a concession.” Hence the subject is very important, so preserve your prayers in congregation at the masaajid. Why does one call to the prayer? Why does he say to you come to the prayer? He is saying to you arrive, appear, show up!

Translated by Abu Abdil Waahid Najeeb Al Anjelesi

Source: فتاوى فضيلة الشيخ العلامة ربيع بن هادي عمير المدخلي

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Q: Is the mere falling of rain considered an excuse to abandon the congregational prayer or is severe rain conditional for such?

A: Allah knows best but severity (heavy rains) is not conditional. If wetness occurs that is harmful to the praying person then this is an excuse from Allah’s mercy. Whenever there is slippery moisture and it is harmful regardless if it be lite rain, then this is an excuse.

Translated by Najeeb Al Anjelesi

Source: فتاوى فضيلة الشيخ العلامة ربيع بن هادي عمير المدخلي

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Questioner: A man works as a security guard on the streets of Paris and sometimes is unable to break away from his work in order to pray, so is it permissible for him to pray sitting while in his car?

Sheikh: Does he do security for the disbelievers?

Questioner: Yes.

The sheikh: The security is for the disbelievers, in service of the disbelievers. He should search for another job where he can fear Allah and perform the prayer in its time. As for work with the disbelievers that leads to delaying the prayer or performing it upon desires, then no, a thousand times, no! For this reason Allah’s Messenger -sallahu alayhi wa salaam- prohibited living among the disbelievers as this is its fruit. This is the evil fruit that whomsoever lives in non Muslim countries reap.

Translated by Najeeb Al Anjelesi

Source: فتاوى فضيلة الشيخ العلامة ربيع بن هادي عمير المدخلي

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Q: If a person does not find a place (to pray) inside the Prophet’s -sallahu alayhi wa salaam- masjid and consequently prays outside and ahead of the imam (not parallel or behind him) is his prayer correct? Also does he receive the reward of 1000 prayers?

A: If he is forced to do so, due to the inability to find easy access in entering the masjid due to it being full. Likewise if he does not find a space except outside the masjid and in front of the imam, in this case the scholars allow this. He obtains the reward of praying in congregation if Allah wills, however the reward for prayer in this masjid, it being (the reward of)1000 prayers, then no. He does not obtain this. Some scholars like Ibn Taymiyyah allow this if he’s forced (has no other option), they say his prayer is valid, but the reward of 1000 prayers he does not obtain.

Translated by Najeeb Al Anjelesi

Source: فتاوى فضيلة الشيخ العلامة ربيع بن هادي عمير المدخلي 

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Q: Is the tasleem said simultaneously with the imam or after him? Also is the second tasleem voluntary or obligatory?

A: The tasleem is after the imam, however some hold the opinion that the imam concludes the prayer with the first tasleem. Ending the prayer is by way of the first tasleem and the second is voluntary, as some narrations only mention one tasleem. So if a person says the tasleem after  the (imam’s) first tasleem, for instance the imam says “as salaamu alaykum wa rahmatullah” and thereby completes the first tasleem, then some followers say “as salaamu alaykum wa rahmatullah” similar to him, they have not opposed the Sunnah, if Allah wills.

Translated by Abu Abdil Waahid Najeeb Al Anjelesi

Source: فتاوى فضيلة الشيخ العلامة ربيع بن هادي عمير المدخلي

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Q: Where is it permissible to pray, or in what places is it permissible to pray as there is a reported prohibition on prayer in the camel’s resting areas?

A: The Prophet -sallahu alayhi wa salaam- was asked, “do we pray in the camel’s resting area?” He replied, “no.” He was then asked, “do we pray in the sheep pen?” He said, “yes.” Thus he prohibited them from praying in a camel’s resting area. It is also reported in some narrations the prohibition of prayer in the bathroom. Also reported in unambiguous narrations the prohibition on praying towards graves and even on graves. These are authentic without doubt. Prayer in the bathroom, as it relates to the reported narrations on its prohibition, there is differing. The least that is said is that on the apparent they (the narrations) reach the level of hasan (a grading that renders the narration acceptable as a proof in the religion).

Translated by Najeeb Al Anjelesi

Source: فتاوى فضيلة الشيخ العلامة ربيع بن هادي عمير المدخلي