1. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims
  2. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

46 Questions

My husband and I usually pray in Jamaat at home. If one of us is not available right at the time of prayer, how long should the other wait to pray in Jamaat rather than alone?
Zaid Alsalami

Bismihi ta'ala

If it would be within a reasonable range of time after the entering of the prayer time, then yes you can wait, and you will receive the reward of prayer on time, and also jama'ah prayer. 

However, if there will be an extensive delay, then it is better that you pray on time, and receive its abundant reward. 

And Allah knows best.  
Can you explain with specifics how, in the current pandemic situation, we may perform prayers in congregation with social distancing?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

It is permissible to perform congregational Prayers keeping the social distancing required by health experts. That distancing will not invalidate the prayer nor the congregation Jama'ah.

Wassalam. 
Can congregational prayers be carried out while keeping a social distance amid this corona crisis?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

This question of the permissible distance in congregational prayers is not new as many think. It has been mentioned in our books before about one thousand years. Shaikh Al-Tousi who established the Hawza of Najaf Ashraf before about one thousand years ago and passed away in 460 Hijri, has mentioned it in his book (Al-Mabsoot). Al-Muhaqqiq Al-Hilli (676 \Hijri) and Yahya ibn Sa'eed (689 Hijri) who were among the prominent Shia Ulama did mention it. The verdict of all these three prominent Ulama and many other Ulama that it is permissible to perform congregational prayer with distance between the individuals as far as the shape of the group is a congregation الهيئة العرفية. This in principle. The medical and health reason based on the the obligation on every Muslim to save himself and other from infection, add another reason to our Maraaji' of Taqleed to act upon the verdict of Shaikh al-Tousi and other old Ulama allowing the distance in congregational prayers.

Wassalam.
Can congregational prayers be carried out while keeping a social distance amid this corona crisis?
Seyed Ali Shobayri

Bismillah, 

Asalamu Alaykom, 

Yes, some maraja have now come out and are saying that congregational prayers may be held with a certain measurement of distancing between people in the rows. 

May Allah grant you success