Salat al-Jama’at

127001

Salah (Prayers) . Salat al-Jama’at . Sunni

Is it better to pray obligatory prayers in congregation with the Sunnis rather than alone?

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 6 months ago

Yes it is better to pray with congregation than praying alone even if the congregation is with Sunni Muslims. When you pray in congregation with Non-Shia Muslims, you need to recite Al-Hamd and other Sura yourself but with out clear voice.

Wassalam.

127038

Salah (Prayers) . Salat al-Jama’at . Eid al-Fitr

I understand that praying optional prayers in congregation is not allowed. But then why do we have Eid prayers in congregation since it is, in any case, optional until the return of Imam Mahdi (AJ)?

Eid Prayer is allowed to be prayed in congregation because it is in its original form an obligatory prayer in the presence of the Prophet (SAWA) and the Imam (AS). It is not like Salat Al-Lay or Nafila or Ghofaila etc which is always recommended. The reason behind praying Eid Namaz in congregation is its original form which is Wajib.

Wassalam.

123363

Meaning . Salat al-Jama’at . Salah (Prayers)

What does it actually mean when it is said that the Imam leading congregational prayers has to be just?

It is a term in jurisprudence within the conditions of the person who can lead a congregational Prayer to Aadil عادل. Aadil means a pious person who does not deliberately commit sinful acts, and if it happens that he committed a sinful act, he immediately repents and seeks forgiveness and never insists on wrong. Such pious, God fearing, obedient person is called Aadil.
(Just) is a literal linguistic translation of Aadil but it does not include the full meaning of the term Aadil.

Wassalam.

121707

Salah (Prayers) . Salat al-Jama’at

In general what are things, specific to praying in congregation, that should be avoided as they would invalidate the prayers?

Congregation Prayer (Salat Al-Jama'ah) becomes invalid if the person deliberately does Rokoo' or Sojood or any other act of Salah before the Imam of Jamaa'ah. Reciting Tasbeehat or Tashahhud or Salaam before the Imam of Jamaa'ah is Makrouh but it does not invalidate the Jamaa'ah while doing the acts of Salah before the Imam of Jamaa'ah does invalidate the Jamaa'ah but not the Salah. Salah then becomes Furada (individual) when the Jamaa'ah is invalid.

Wassalam.

119592

Salat al-Jama’at

What is the last chance to enter a congregation prayer and how do I practically join at that point of time?

Joining a congregation prayer is allowed in every Rak'ah till before the Imam of Jama'ah raises his head from Rokoo'. If you join during Qiyaam (Standing) or Rokoo', it will be counted for you as a Rak'ah.

We are not allowed to join congregation prayer after Rokoo' except in the last Rak'ah just to get the reward of the congregation prayer but it will not be counted as a Rak'ah.

Wassalam.

119051

Mosque . Salah (Prayers) . Salat al-Jama’at

Can we pray Namaz individually in a mosque after the time has started but before the Imam starts praying in congregation?

If you are in hurry and can't wait till Jama'at starts, you can pray individually (Furada) but it should not send a wrong message of disrespect to the Imam of Jama'at or to the participants who are waiting to join the congregational Prayer.

Wassalam.

111326

Fajr . Surah . Prostration (sujud) . Sunni-Shi'a . Salat al-Jama’at

Some Shafi'i brothers recite a verse during Fajr prayer that requires Sajdah and go straight into prostration and then stand up again to continue the Surah. Is this allowed in Shia Islam? If I am praying in congregation with them how should I act?

It is not allowed during obligatory Prayer (Salah) to add Rokoo' or Sojood because it will invalidate the Salah. Reciting any of the four verses of obligatory Sajda is not allowed in obligatory Salah. If you do Sajda for reciting or listening to any of the four verses of obligatory Sajda, you Salah becomes invalid and you need to perform the Salah again.
Wassalam.

107532

Baligh . Sunni . Children . Salat al-Jama’at

Is it allowed for a non-Baligh child to lead adults in Wajib prayers, as this practice is seen in the Sunni community? Will my prayer be accepted if I happened to participate in such a congregation?

Zoheir Ali Esmail, Shaykh Zoheir Ali Esmail has a Bsc in Accounting and Finance from the LSE in London, and an MA in Islamic Studies from Middlesex University. He studied Arabic at Damascus University and holds a PhD... Answered 1 year ago

Bismillah

Thank you for your question. One of the conditions for a prayer leader according to the School of Ahl al-Bayt (as) is that they are baligh. If they are not baligh, that prayer cannot be lead by them and so if someone participated in that prayer they will need to repeat it.

May you always be successful

107599

Women . Home . Salat al-Jama’at . Salah (Prayers)

Do women have to pray in congregation if there are more than 2 women at home? Is the prayer in congregation better for them than praying alone? Is there a difference in the prayers when done in congregation by women?

congregational prayers are much more better than praying alone. The reward of praying in congregation is many folds more which can be hundreds or thousands of times.

Congregational prayer has conditions including the conditions of the Imam of Jama'at. Woman can lead women only in prayers and she should stand in the first row with other women and not to stand ahead of them.

'Wassalam,

106539

Salah (Prayers) . Salat al-Jama’at

Who has more right to be the Imam if a group of people wants to pray Salat in congregation?

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 1 year ago

Bismihi ta'ala

The main requirements for the Imam of Jama'ah are:

1. He be well versed in the rulings of fiqh and prayer in particular.
2. A man of piety and righteousness, with inner taqwa, high moral standards, and 'adalah, which means he does not commit regular sin.
3. His pronunciation and recitation is accurate.
4. Other things mentioned in the fiqh books.

If there are numerous people who broadly have these main requirements, then the person who is more learnt, or with more taqwa, or better recitation, is presented as the Imam Jama'ah.

And Allah knows best.

102863

Dhuhr . Jumu'ah . Salat al-Jama’at

If one is unable to attend the two speeches of the Friday prayer in their entirety, can the individual still pray the two unit Salat with the congregation, or does he have to pray Dhuhr separately?

According to the verdict of many high caliber scholars, joining the Jum'a Prayer is enough even if you are late and could not listen to the both Khutba of Jum'a.

You do not need to perform Dhuhr.

Wassalam..

101028

Mosque . Jumu'ah . Sunni-Shi'a . Salat al-Jama’at

In my city Friday Salah is only done in a non-Shia mosque as there are very few Shia and no Shia prayer leader. Should I join the Sunni brothers in their congregation or perform Zuhr at my work place?

It is recommended to pray with Muslims from any sect. As it is a Friday prayer, you need to pray your own Dhuhr prayer before or after it.

Praying with our Muslim brothers from any sect is highly recommended.

'Wassalam.