Know the importance of Salaatul Jama’a
Know Shuroot Salaatul Jama’a
Understand why woman shouldn’t attend Mosque
Conditions of Salaat Jama’a
Congregational (جَمَاعَة) prayer is preferred to single prayer (مُنْفَرِد). The prophetr said:
صَلاَةُ الجَمَاعَة أَفْضَلُ مِنْ صَلاَةِ الفَذِّ بِسَبْعٍ وَعِشْرِينَ دَرَجَة
“Prayer in congregation is superior to a prayer performed individually by twenty seven degrees.”
Jumu’ah prayer becomes valid only if it performed in congregation. Praying the five times prayer in congregation is considered as فَرْض كِفَايَة for men. So, Muslims staying in a town or village should establish the congregational prayer in their place.
Excuses for not attending the Jama’a
- Heavy rain, intense cold, snow that wet his clothe.
- Severe hot, darkness, wind or muddy route.
- Suffering from illness.
- Nursing a sick person.
- Things that decrease his Khushu (خُشُوع) such as severe hunger, thirsty or desire for passing stool or urine.
- Having a bad smell or disgusting illness.
- If a blind was unable to get one who helps him walk.
- If Imam is Fasiq (فَاسِق) or Mubtadi (مُبْتَدِع).
- If Imam is not performing a سُنَّة مَقْصُودَة (very important Sunnah) of the prayer.
The Salaat in congregation is recommended for women in their own house. Praying in her house is preferred to attend the mosque. It is Haraam to attend the mosque if she fears the temptation (فِتْنَة). The evil temptation is widespread in this time, so the ruling is that -in these days- it is Haraam (prohibited) for a woman to leave her house with the intention of attending a Jama’a (congregation) prayer in the Mosque.
Conditions of Salaatul Jama’a (congregational prayer)
- Ma’moom (follower) should have the niyyat of Iqtida (following Imam (.
- The heel (عقب) of Ma’moom should not be in front of the heel of Imam in the standing position.
- Ma’moom should know the moving of Imam by seeing or hearing. (seeing him or other Ma’moom, hearing to his or Muballig’s voice).
- Ma’moom and Imam should gather in one place.
In the mosque, Ma’moom should be able to reach Imam normally. In the place other than mosque, in addition to the above condition (possibility of reaching to Imam), the distance between the two should not be more than three hundred arms (اَذْرُع) approximately.
- In addition to the following Imam in the obligatory elements of Salaat, a Ma’moom should also follow him in optional (سُنَن) actions that lead to a clear distortion (فُحشُ المخَالَفَة) if not followed.
Ma’moom not following his Imam in Sajda Tilawa is considered as clear distortion. Meanwhile, if an Imam didn’t read Qunoot, then Ma’moom can be late for reading Qunoot in his I’tidal. But he should reach Imam in first Sujood.
- The order of the prayer should be identical. If one prayed Asr behind Janaza prayer, his prayer is invalid.
- Ma’moom should follow Imam in his actions.
- Ma’moom can say Takbeeratul Ihram only after Imam completes it.
- Ma’moom should not outrun Imam in two consecutive physical obligations (ركن فعلي).
- Ma’moom should not delay from Imam for two consecutive physical obligations (رُكْن فِعْلِي) without excuse.
- Ma’moom should not delay from Imam for three long obligations even if has any excuse.
Notes:
- Ma’moom should not do any physical obligation (رُكْن فِعْلِي) before Imam doing that.
- Following Imam who stands for extra Rak’a (for example standing for fifth Rak’a in Dhuhr prayer) is not allowed even for a Masbook.
This is excerpts from the book Salaat (Brief rulings of Prayer in Shafi Madh’hab) by Abdu Shaheed Azhary. To download the full chapter click the below link. To support us, please consider acquiring the digital copy of the book from Amazon