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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ON CONGREGATION PRAYERS
SALAT AL-JAMA’AH QA (CONGREGATIONAL PRAYERS)
According to the Fatawa of Ayatullah al-Uzma Sayyid Ali al-Husaini Seestani Dama-Dhilluhu
Sources: Islamic Laws, Elements of Islamic Studies by Allama Sayyid Saeed Akhtar Rizvi.
Questions answered by:
Liaison Office of Ayatullah Al-Sistani Dama-Dhilluhu in U.K.
Maulana Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi, Sheikh Fadhel Sahlani, Maulana Muhammad Musavi,
Maulana Zafar Abbas, Sheikh Safdar Razi and Sheikh Hasnayn Kassamali.
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) said that if there are only 2 persons (Imam and only one Mamum) in Congregational Prayer, every Rak’at gets the reward of 150 prayers. The reward is increased by the increase in the number of persons. Thus, in a Congregational Prayer of 3 persons, every Rak’at gets reward of 600 persons.
If there are 4, every Rak’at gets reward of 1,200 prayers.
If there are 5, every Rak’at gets reward of 2,400 prayers.
If there are 6, every Rak’at gets reward of 4,800 prayers.
If there are 7, every Rak’at gets reward of 9,600 prayers.
If there are 8, every Rak’at gets reward of 19,200 prayers.
If there are 9, every Rak’at gets reward of 38,400 prayers.
If there are 10, every Rak’at gets reward of 76, 800 prayers.
If there are more than 10, then nobody can estimate its reward except Allah.
Mustadrak al-Wasa’il, vol. 1, p. 487; Imam Khomeini, Tawdhih al-Masa’il, Issue 1400.
A person who goes out of his house to participate in congregational prayer and waits in the Mosque for it, gets the reward of a person who is engaged in prayer for the entire period.
Kanz al-‘Ummal, vol. 8, hadiths 22818, 22827.
The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) has said: “If I pray the dawn prayer in congregation, it is more lovable for me than night vigil and worship till morning.” Kanz al-‘Ummal, vol. 8, hadith 22792.
It is Mustahab that obligatory prayers, especially the daily prayers, are performed in congregation, and more emphasis has been laid on congregational prayers for Fajr, Maghrib and Isha.
Islamic Laws of Ayatullah Al-Sistani Dama-Dhilluhu.
Always pray compulsory Namaz with Jamat whether you are Imam or mamoom.
There is a lot of sawab. See that you are not deprived of this sawab.
It is stated in the traditions that by praying with Jamat, the sawab is multiplied 150 times.
As the people praying with jamat increases, so also sawab increases.
So much so that if there is a big congregation, jinns and human beings collectively
cannot count its sawab.
Punctually recite ‘Tasbihe-Zehra (a.s.)’ after namaz. Do ‘Sajd-e-Shukr’ without fail.
(Furu-e-Kafi - 4, p. 150)
PAPER NO. 1
Q) Kindly explain to me the advantages obtained and reward earned, giving both worldly and spiritual benefits one derives, when he takes part in Congregational Prayers?
A) Marhum Allama Sayyid Saeed Akhtar Rizvi had listed 6 benefits, details as under: [please, let us recite Sura Fateha for the benefit of his departed soul)
(a) ISLAMIC EQUALITY.
In the congregation, rich and poor, high and low, all stand shoulder to shoulder. This destroys the haughtiness of the rich and creates self-respect in the poor. The best scene of mankind’s equality comes before us in congregational prayer.
(b) UNITY.
In the congregational prayer, all have one intention, one language and identical actions. All kneel together. All prostrate together. This teaches as the lesson of the unity of the Muslims.
(c) LOVE AND COOPERATION.
People meet with one another in the congregation. They know the problems and worries of each other and try to help each other. New things are known. Mutual love develops. Circle of friendship; is widened. We get an opportunity to perfect our live in the light of others’ experiences.
(d) DISCIPLINE.
While offering prayer in congregation we stand in rows, follow the Imam of Congregation and practice obedience to Command. This instills in us the discipline which is the essential feature of a community’s life.
(e) PRESTIGE OF ISLAM.
Our Mosques remain thriving – due to prayer in congregation. It enhances the prestige of the Muslims, and the unity of the Muslims overawes the enemies of Islam.
(f) LIMITLESS REWARD
Allah has put a big reward for congregational prayers:
Our Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.a.) and the Imams of Ahlul-Bayt (a.s.) have laid great stress on Congregational Payer.
PAPER NO. 2 –
Q) What constitutes adalah of Imamul Jumu’ah wal Jama’ah?
A) Adalah of an Imamul Jumu’ah and Jama’ah is a sensitive issue. An ‘Adil is a person who does not commit major sins and does not persist in committing minor sins. There is also the question of urf [custom of the community). For example, for an ‘alim to do something in public that would cause people to raise eye-brows even if it is not a sin constitutes breach of adalah.
Q) What niyyah (intention) does the Imamul Jama’ah make when leading the daily prayers?
A) He makes the Niyyah of praying the particular Salaat to attain nearness to Allah SWT, just as any follower would. He does not make the Niyyah of leading prayers
Q) As I understand, the link in congregational prayer is only established from the sides and from the front and not from the angle which would mean that the only follower who can establish the link with the Imam is the one who is praying immediately behind him and that link would be extended to others only through him.
A) If the people were standing on the right and left of that person, and the distance between the place of Sajdah of both these Ma’mumeen and the standing place of the Imam is not more than one step, then the people beside them and behind them can take link by them, and the Jama’at of the other people will be correct.
Q) Is a follower required to recite Surah Al-Hamd and another Surah in the first and second Rak’at of Zuhr and Asr prayers as the Imam recites these Surahs silently?
A) The follower should not recite Surah al-Hamd and Surah in the first and second Rak'ats of Zuhr and Asr prayers and it is Mustahab that instead of them he should recite Zikr. It is necessary for the follower to recite all the things of the prayers himself, except Surah al-Hamd and the other Surah. However, if his first or second Rak'at coincides with third or fourth Rak'at of the Imam, he should recite Surah al-Hamd and Surah.
Q) In Namaaz-e-Jamaa’at should Ma’amoom recite Bismillaah……. of the Surahs in the 1st and 2nd rak’at?
A) In Namaz-e-Jama'at, Ma'mumeen are not allowed to recite the Surah, and Bismallah is part of the Surah.
PAPER NO. 3 –
Q) Can a follower say Takbiratul Ihram before the Imam has completed his Takbiratul Ihram?
A) The follower should not say Takbiratul Ihram before the Imam. As an obligatory precaution, he should not say Takbirtul Ihram until the Takbiratul Ihram of the Imam is completed.
Q) Besides Takbiratul Ehram, is a follower also required to recite other parts of prayers after the Imam?
A) If a follower recites other parts of prayers other than Takbiratul Ehram before the Imam, there is no objection. But, if he hears them being recited by the Imam, or if he knows when Imam is going to recite them, the recommended precaution is that he should not recite them before the Imam.
Q) If a follower inadvertently says Salaam and completes his prayer before the Imam does it, what should he do?
A) If the follower says the Salam by mistake, before the Imam does it, his prayer is in order, and it is not necessary that he should say Salam again along with the Imam. And even if he says Salam before the Imam intentionally, there is no objection.
Q) Can a follower go to Ruku or Sajdah before the Imam has done so?
A) It is necessary for the follower that, besides that which is recited in the prayers, he should perform all acts like Ruku and Sajdah with the Imam or a little after him, and if he performs them before the Imam, or after a considerable delay, intentionally, his congregational prayers becomes void. However, if he converts to Furada, his prayers will be in order.
PAPER NO. 4 –
Q) If a follower goes to Ruku by mistake when the Imam is still reciting Qir’at (Surah), what is he required to do to maintain validity of his congregational prayer?
A) If a follower goes to Ruku before the Imam by mistake, and realizes that if he raises his head, he may reach some part of the Qir'at (surah) of the Imam, and if he does so, then goes to Ruku again with the Imam, his prayers are in order. And if he does not return intentionally, his prayers are void.
Q) If a follower raises his head from Ruku ahead of the Imam by mistake, what is he required to do to correct the situation?
A) If a follower raises his head from Ruku before the Imam by mistake, and if the Imam is still in Ruku, he (the follower) should return to Ruku, and then raise his head with the Imam. In this case, the extra Ruku, which is a Rukn, will not invalidate the prayers. However, if Imam raises his head before the follower reaches him, as a precaution, the prayer of the follower will be void.
Q) If a follower raises his head from Sajdah before the Imam unintentionally, what should he do correct the situation?
A) If a follower raises his head by mistake, and sees that the Imam is in Sajdah, as a precaution, he should return to Sajdah, and if it happens in both the Sajdah, the prayers will not be void, although a Rukn has been added.
Q) If a follower raises his head from Ruku or Sajdah before the Imam by mistake and realizes that if he goes back to Ruku or Sajdah he will not be in time to reach the Imam, what is he required to do?
A) If a follower raises his head from Ruku or Sajdah before Imam by mistake, and does not return to Ruku or Sajdah forgetfully, or thinking that he will not reach the Imam, his congregational prayer is in order.
PAPER NO. 5
Q) How should a follower react to maintain validity of his congregational prayers in a situation when the Imam mistakenly recites Qunut or Tashahhud in the Rak’at which does not have Qunut or Tashahhud?
A) If Imam mistakenly recites Qunut in a Rak'at which does not have Qunut, or recites Tashahhud in a Rak'at which does not have Tashahhud, the follower should not recite Qunut or Tashahhud. But, he cannot go to Ruku before the Imam or rise before the Imam rises. In fact, he should wait till the Qunut or Tashahhud of Imam ends, and offer the remaining prayers with him.
Q) How loudly can a ma’mum [follower behind an imam in Jama’ah) recite in prayers?
A.) Obviously, a ma’mum cannot recite Al-Fatiha and the Sura in Jama’ah. Subhaniyyat, i.e. Tasbihat Arba’aa in third and fourth rak’ah are silently recited by the Imam and ma’mum. That leaves the adhkaar: in qunoot, rukuu, sujood, tashahhud and tasleem. These must not be recited so loud as to reach the Imam’s ears for that constitutes karaha, but does not invalidate Salaat.
Q) For the validity of a congregational prayer, it is a condition that there should be no obstruction between the Imam and the follower, nor between one follower and the other follower, who is a link between him and the Imam. Is any such obstruction caused if a “na-baligh” child prays in the first line?
A) If a discerning child (Mumayyaz), one who is able to distinguish good from evil, stands between two persons in the first line, thus causing a distance, their prayers in congregation will be valid as long as they do not have knowledge about that child’s Namaz having become void. But if a Na-Baligh who is not Mumayyaz prays in the first row of Salatul Jama'at, it will cause a barrier even if the space of one stride is not created and that the Salatul Jama'at of Mamooms praying on his side after him will be invalid unless they continue their prayers with the Niyyah of Furada.
Q) If the Imam has completed his Takbiratul Ihram, can the persons in the back row say their Takbiratul Ihram before the persons in the front row have said their Takbiratul Ihram?
A) If after the Takbiratul Ihram of the Imam, the persons in the front row are ready for prayers and are about to say Takbiratul Ihram, a person standing in the back row can say Takbiratul Ihram. However, the recommended precaution is that he should wait, till the Takbiratul Ihram of the front row has been pronounced.
PAPER NO. 6
Q) What is a person required to do to keep his congregational prayer valid if he joins the Imam in Ruku but as he does so the Imam raises his head from his Ruku?
A) If a person joins the Imam when he is in Ruku, but before he bows to Ruku, the Imam raises his head from his Ruku, that person has a choice either to complete his prayers as Furada, or to continue with the Imam up to Sajdah, with the Niyyah of Qurbat. Then when he stands, he can do Takbir other than Takbiratul Ihram, as a general Zikr, and continue with the congregation.
Q) Can a traveler who offers shortened prayers join the Congregational Prayer led by an Imam who offers full prayers?
A) It is Makrooh for a traveler, who offers Zuhr, Asr and Isha prayers in shortened form (two Rak’ats), to follow a person who is not a traveler. And it is Makrooh for a person who is not a traveler to follow a traveler in those prayers.
NOTE: In ibadah – makrooh is less thawab, e.g. praying in congregational prayer when you are a traveler has more thawab than praying alone.
Q) If a person arrives late and finds that the Imam is reciting the last Tashahhud, is there any way that he can join the congregational prayers so that he can earn “Thawab” of congregational prayers?
A) Yes. He should sit down after making Niyyah and pronouncing Takbiratul Ehram, and may recite Tashahhud with the Imam, but not the Salaam, and then wait till the Imam says Salaam of the prayers. Then he should stand, and without making Niyyah and Takbir, begin to recite Surah al-Hamd and the other Surah treating it as the first Rak’at of his prayers.
Q) When there is only one follower in the congregational prayers, where should he position himself?
A.) If there is only one male follower, it is Mustahab that he stands in line with Imam.
Q) If a person arrives late and the Imam is in the third or fourth Rak’at in the state of Qiyam, can he join the congregational prayers then or should he wait until the Imam is in Ruku?
A.) If the Imam is in the third or fourth Rak’at, and one knows that if he joins him and recite Surah al-Hamd he will not be able to reach him in Ruku, as an obligatory precaution, he should wait till the Imam goes to Ruku and then join.
PAPER NO. 7 –
Q) If a person arrives late and finds that the Imam is in the state Qiyam but he is not aware in which Rak’at the Imam is, how should he go about to join the congregational prayer?
A) If the Imam is standing, and the follower does not know in which Rak’at he is, he can join him, but he should recite Surah al-Hamd and the other Surah with the Niyyat of Qurbat though he may come to know later that the Imam was in the first or second Rak’at.
Q) If a follower is behind the Imam by one rak’at, can he stand up to continue his prayer with the niyyah of furada when the Imam is reciting tashahhud of the last rak’at?
A) If a person is behind the Imam by one Rak'at, it is better that when the Imam is reciting tashahhud of the last Rak'at, he (the follower) should place the fingers of his hands and the inner part of his feet on the ground, and raise his knees, and wait till the Imam says Salam of the prayers and then stand up. And if he makes niyyat of Furada at that very moment, there is no harm in it.
Q) A person joins the congregational prayer when the Imam is in the state of Qiyam of 3rd or 4th Rak'at, he started reciting Sura Al-Hamd and before he could complete the Surah the Imam went to Ruku. If he completes the Surah he will not be able to reach the Imam in Ruku. What is his Shari’i obligation?
A) If a person joins the Imam when he is in the state of Qiyam of third or fourth Rak'at, he should recite Surah al-Hamd and the other Surah, and if he does not have time for the other Surah, he should complete Surah al-Hamd and join the Imam in Ruku. But if he has no time even for Surah al-Hamd, he may leave it incomplete and join Imam in Ruku. But in this case, the recommended precaution is that he should change to Furada.
Q) If a person joins in the congregational prayer when the Imam is in the standing position in the 3rd or 4th Rak’at reciting Tasbihate Arba’ah, unfortunately out of ignorance or for any other reason he does not recite Surah Al-Hamd, what is the status of his prayer? Is his congregational prayer valid? If the answer is in the negative what is he required to do to keep his prayer valid?
A) If reciting the chapters were missed unintentionally in the congregation or individual prayer then there is no harm and the Salaat is ok.
Q) Can a person join the congregational prayer when the Imam is in the 3rd or 4th Rak’at, although the Imam having finished reciting Tasbihate Arba’ is still in the standing position? If the answer is in the negative, is it in order for him to join the congregational prayer when the Imam has started to go for Ruku or is it necessary that he must wait until the Imam is in the position of Ruku and then join the congregational prayer.
A) In the case mentioned one should wait until the Imam reaches the level of Ruku and then join the congregation.
Q) Can a person join the Congregational prayer in the 3rd or 4th Rak’at when the Imam has completed reciting the Zikr of Ruku but is still in the position of Ruku and has not started standing up.
A) There is no problem in that as long as the imam is in the state of Ruku.
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PAPER NO. 8 –
Q) If the Imam has finished the prayer, but the follower is still reciting tashahhud, is he required to change his niyyah to furada?
A) If the prayers of the Imam comes to an end, but the follower is still reciting tashahhud or the first Salam, it is not necessary for him to make the intention of Furada.
Q) If a person changes his niyyah to furada in congregational prayers, can he revert back to congregational prayer?
A) If a person makes the intention of Furada during the congregation prayers, he cannot revert back to congregational prayers again. But, if he is undecided whether he should make the intention of Furada or not, and eventually decides to end the prayers with congregation, his prayers with the congregation will be in order.
Q) When offering qadha prayers, like we usually do on the 23rd night of Mahe Ramadhan, can one follow the Imam who is offering his qadha prayers as a precaution?
A) If Imam of the congregation is offering his own qadha, or on behalf of another person whose qadha is certain, he can be followed. However, if he is offering the qadha of his own or on behalf of the other, as a precaution, it is not permissible to follow him, unless the prayers being offered by the follower is also based on a precaution similar to that of Imam. However, it is not necessary that the follower may not have another reason for precaution.
Q) Please, see the Mas'ala below appearing in Islamic Laws of Ayatullah Al-Sistani Dama Dhilluhu.
1446. If during the prayers, a distance of one foot occurs between the follower and the Imam, or between the follower and the person through whom he is linked to the Imam, he (the follower) will be isolated and can, therefore, continue as Furada.
NOTE: I believe "one foot" mentioned is translated as "one stride" approximately one yard.
QUESTION
Instead of changing his niyyah to furada, can he move slightly sideways to close the gap (distance) created so that he can continue his Salaat in congregation?
A) There is no problem in that.
PAPER NO. 9 –
Q) Am I correct to understand that if a person praying Qasr in the first row in Salatul Jama'at and remains seated after concluding his Salaat is causing a barrier to the next person praying on his right side, and even if the gap of one maximum stride is not created, the congregational prayer of the next person and all other persons praying on his right side will not remain valid unless they convert to Furada and continue their prayer to individual prayer.
A) He is a barrier and all other persons praying on his right side will convert to Furada and continue their prayer individually, unless that person leaves directly and they occupy that gap.
Q) It is recommended to say "Al-Hamdu
Lillah" after the Pesh Imam has recited Surah Al-Hamd in the congregational
prayer.
Is it also Mustahab to say "Al-Hamdu Lillah" after reciting Surah Al-Hamd in
Furada prayers?
A) Yes, it is recommended to recite “Alhamdu lilahi rabil alemeen”
Q) When people go to Hajj or Umra, while they are in Masjidul Nabawi,
they pray behind a Sunni (or Wahhabi) Pesh Imam with a Niyyah of Jama'at
but they recite their own Qira'at where as other join in the row of Jama'at
but they pray with a Niyyah of Furada.
As we all know the Pesh Imam tends to recite a long second Surah (or
sometimes part of a long Surah) while the persons mentioned above recite a small
second Surah.
Naturally, they finish reciting the second Surah well before the
Imam does so. While waiting for the Imam to finish reciting the second
Surah, they continuously recite Zikr, e.g. Subahanallah until the
Imam finishes reciting the second Surah and then they go to Ruku with
the Imam.
A) There is no problem in this case.
Q) Will the prayer (one of the daily five prayers) of a person remain valid if he prays his Furada Salaat in the same hall (large room) simultaneously (at the same time) the congregational salaat is being prayed?
A) Yes the prayer is valid, but is committing a sin (ma`siyat) by doing
so.
Q) Will the prayer (one of the daily five prayers) of a person remain valid if he/she prays his/her Furada Salaat in the adjoining hall simultaneously (at the same time) the congregational salaat is being prayed?
A) Yes the prayer is valid.
Q) Can a person praying one of the daily five prayers 'ADA" salaat join the congregation led by an Imam who is praying one of the daily five prayers "QADHA" salaat?
A) There is no problem in that.
PAPER NO. 10 –
Q) 2 people prayed Qasr in jamaat namaaz of Isha. They prayed in the
first row side by side. As soon as they finished their 2 rak’ats, they
rejoined the jamaat namaaz again in the third rak’at. What is the ruling
for the people after them? Do they have to change their niyyat to furada or not
because the time lapse was very short?
And if they have to change their niyyat, what is the ruling.........
a) If they realized it during the namaaz
b) After the namaaz
A) As long as they returned to the congregation without an interval (they joined the congregation immediately upon finishing their Salaat), the link is not broken and the congregational prayer of those praying after them will remain valid.
Q) Ruling No. 1461
in Islamic Laws of Ayatullah Al-Sistani Dama-Dhilluhu states, quote:
"If a person is behind the Imam by one Rak'at, it is better
that when the Imam is reciting Tashahud of the last Rak'at, he (the follower)
should place the fingers of his hands and the inner part of his feet on
the ground, and raise his knees ........................."
WHILE Ruling No. 1448 states, quote:
"If a person joins the Imam in the second Rak'at, it is not
necessary for him to recite Surah al-Hamd and Surah, but he may recite
Qunuut and Tashahhud with the Imam, AND THE PRECAUTION is that,
at the time of reciting Tashahhud, he should keep the fingers of his
hands and the inner part of his feet on the ground and raise his knees........:
THE QUESTION IS THAT IS IT 'MUSTAHAB' OR 'OBLIGATORY
PRECAUTION' TO SIT IN THE MANNER EXPLAINED WHILE THE
IMAM IS RECITING TASHAHHUD IN THE CASE WHEN A MAAMOOM IS BEHIND THE
IMAM BY ONE RAK'AT?
A) OBLIGATORY PRECAUTION.
Q) Is the link (connection) in Salatul Jama'at established to the ladies if they are separated from the males by a wooden partition which covers up from floor to the ceiling with no opening? Or is there a requirement in the Shari'ah that there must be an opening, even a small one, to established a link.
A) For the validity of congregation, it is a condition that there should be no obstruction between the Imam and the follower, nor between one follower and the other follower, who is a link between him and the Imam. An obstruction means something which separates them, regardless of whether it prevents seeing each other, like in the case of a curtain, or a wall, or does not prevent, like in the case of a glass wall.
Therefore, if there is an obstruction, at any time of the prayers, between Imam and the follower or between the followers themselves, thus breaking the link, congregation will be void. But women are exempted from this rule.
FOLLOW-UP
From your answer, am I correct to understand that women are exempted from this rule even if the obstruction is by way of a wooden partition covering from floor to ceiling with no opening.
A) Yes, you are as long as the imam is a man.
PAPER NO. 11 –
Q) A Jamat in U.S.A. has posed the following question and I need your help in answering.
We normally have Salatul Jama’at for Maghribayn prayers on Thursdays at our Center at the prime time (Awwale Wakht) and then continue with our Thursday program of Dua-e- Kumayl, Majlis and Ziyarat. Since the Salaat time is getting earlier, the attendance is getting lower because people working cannot make it in time.
We propose to delay the starting of Salatul Jama’at by an hour or so to enable Mu’mineen participate in Salatul Jama’at.
The following questions arise:
Which would be a better (recommended) course of action to take:
1) To delay the Salatul Jama’at so that more Mu’mineen can participate? OR
2) To hold the Salatul Jamat at awwale wakht irrespective of the attendance.
A) The question was read to Sheikh Fadhel Al-Sahlani at the Thursday Night Fiqh session and his answer was that this question will need to be referred to the Marj'a as it requires judgment of which is recommended. He, added however, it would seem that since there are people ready for Salaatul jam'ah at Awwalul Waqt that would be prudent to give priority. So, there is no categorical answer yet.
Q) If a prayer leader’s Wudhu is invalidated during the course of Salaat, what does he do and what do the congregants praying behind him in Jama’ah do? Can a person from the congregation step and take over from him and finish the rest of the Salaat
A) When Wudhu is invalidated, Salaat becomes invalid. So, the prayer leader has to move away and the person directly behind him steps up and continues from where the prayer leader left. This is the reason why it is recommended that the person directly behind the prayer leader should be qualified, according to the rules of the Shari’a, to lead prayers. If such a person is not available, then the rest of the congregants must change their Niyyah (intention) to Furada (individual) and complete the rest of the Salaat.
Q) Can a person ask for monetary wage to lead Jama’ah prayers?
A) Leading Jama’ah is not obligatory, but voluntary. Thus, a person can ask for monetary compensation to lead the Jama’ah Salaat.
Q) It is Makrooh to recite Zikr in the Salaat al-Jama’ah so audibly as to reach the ears of the Imam. Does this apply to “Alhamdulillah” recited optionally after Suratul Fatiha?
A) The same rule would apply in this case too.
PAPER NO. 12 –
Q) If a person has already said his prayers on time and comes to the Center to find Salatul Jamaah being established. Can he join in the congregational prayers for the same Salaat?
A) Yes, it is Mustahab to do so for the reward of praying in Jamaa’ah is immense.
Q) If a person precedes the Imam of Jama’ah in his Dhikr, for example recites the Tashahhud dhikr ahead of the Imam, what becomes of his Salaat?
A) The Salaat is valid but the action of preceding the Imam in Dhikr is Makrooh (reprehensible, undesirable).
Q) Some people have a tendency to recite Qunoot, dhikr, etc. very loudly in Jama’ah prayers. What is the ruling on this?
A) It is Makrooh to recite the Dhikr, etc. loud enough to reach the ears of the Imam of Jama’ah.
Q) A Pesh Imam performed his wajib prayers furada on time. Can he lead the same prayers when his congregation are praying with wajib niyyat prayers?
A) If he has already done his Namaz as Furada, then he can lead the Jamaat to do the same Namaz.
Q) If a person has already begun offering a mustahab prayer and the congregational prayers starts, can he break his mustahab namaz to join the congregational prayer?
A) If a congregational prayer begins while a person is offering a Mustahab prayers, and if he is not sure that if he completes his Mustahab prayers, he will be able to join the congregational prayers, it is Mustahab to abandon the Mustahab prayers, and join the congregational prayers. In fact, if he is not certain that he will be able to join the first Rak'at, he should follow this rule.
Q) If a person has already begun offering a wajib prayer and the congregational starts, can he break his wajib namaz to join the congregational prayer?
A) If a congregational prayer begins while a person is offering a prayer of three or four Rak'ats, and if he has not gone into Ruku of the third Rak'at, and is not sure whether upon completion, he will be able to join the congregational prayers, it is Mustahab to end the prayers with the niyyat of Mustahab prayers of two Raka'ts, and join the congregational prayers.
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PAPER NO. 13 – – FINAL PAPER
Q) Ruling No. 1008 in Islamic Laws of Ayatullah Al-Seestani Dama Dhilluhu says:
To take wages for teaching obligatory acts of prayers is haraam, as a precaution, and taking wages for teaching Mustahab things is permissible.
The question is:
Does the above Ruling apply to prayers only, or would it apply to all other wajib acts?
Q) I need your advice on how to go about conducting the Salatul Jama’at in a room under the following circumstances:
There is a male Pesh Imam.
The followers consist of na-baligh boys and na-baligh girls as well as baligh girls.
There is no partition.
MY OBSERVATION; (according to Ayatullah Al-Sistani Dama-Dhilluhu)
1) The boys cannot stand in front of the girls because all the boys present are na- baligh while in the case of girls some of them are baligh. The na-baligh boys would not provide a valid link to the girls praying behind them.
2) The Salat of both the man and the woman is not valid if they are parallel to each other during prayer, or if the woman is ahead of the man. Or there should be a barrier between them or a distance of more than 10 cubits equivalent to 10 arm-lengths – 4.5 meters.
I need your help to advise us on how to go about conducting Salatul-Jama’at under the circumstances explained above. Please, do advise according to the rulings of Ayatullah Al-Sistani Dama Dhilluhu.
A) Baaligh persons should be immediately behind the Imam of Jama'at, then non baaligh persons on their sides or behind them. The rulings of the distance or partition between man and woman during Salaat refers to Baaligh persons and not to children.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Am I correct to understand that since only some girls are baligh, they will stand immediately behind the Pesh Imam and both the na-baligh boys and the na-baligh girls will stand on their sides and behind them. In other words, there is no Shari’i problem if na-baligh boys and na-baligh girls pray side by side.
A) Baaligh girl should stand behind the Imam of Jama'at. Non Baaligh boys can stand on one side, and non Baaligh girls can stand on other side. If they pray on rows, then non Baaligh boys should stand first then non Baaligh girls should stand behind them. This is to avoid mixing boys and girls during performing prayers.
Concluded; Wal-Hamdu Lilla-h
EARLIER FILE ..to chk for duplication above
Paper # 7 |
Congregational Prayers Q] Is a follower required to recite Surah A-Hamd & another Surah in the first & second Rak’at of Zuhr &Asr prayers as the Imam recites these Surahs silently? |
A.] The follower should not recite Surah al-Hamd & Surah in the first & second Rak'ats of Zuhr & Asr prayers & it is Mustahab that instead of them he should recite Zikr. It is necessary for the follower to recite all the things of the prayers himself, except Surah al-Hamd & the other Surah. However, if his first or second Rak'at coincides with third or fourth Rak'at of the Imam, he should recite Surah al-Hamd & Surah. |
Q.] Can a follower say Takbiratul Ehram before the Imam has completed his Takbiratul Ehram? |
A.]The follower should not say Takbiratul Ehram before the Imam. As an obligatory precaution, he should not say the takbir until the takbir of the Imam is completed. |
Q.] Besides Takbiratul Ehram, is a follower also required to recite other parts of prayers after the Imam? |
A.] If a follower recites other parts of prayers other than Takbiratul Ehram before the Imam, there is no objection. But, if he hears them being recited by the Imam, or if he knows when Imam is going to recite them, the recommended precaution is that he should not recite them before the Imam. |
Paper # 8 |
Q.] If a follower inadvertently says Salaam & completes his prayer before the Imam does it, what should he do? |
A.] If the follower says the Salam by mistake, before the Imam does it, his prayer is in order, & it is not necessary that he should say Salam again along with the Imam. & even if he says Salam before the Imam intentionally, there is no objection. |
Q.] Can a follower go to Rukuu or Sajdah before the Imam has done so? |
A.] It is necessary for the follower that, besides that which is recited in the prayers, he should perform all acts like Ruku & Sajdah with the Imam or a little after him, & if he performs them before the Imam, or after a considerable delay, intentionally, his congregational prayers becomes void. However, if he converts to Furada, his prayers will be in order. |
Q.] If a follower goes to Ruku by mistake when the Imam is still reciting Qir’at (Surah), what is he required to do to maintain validity of his congregational prayer? |
A.] If a follower goes to Ruku before the Imam by mistake, & realizes that if he raises his head, he may reach some part of the Qir'at (surah) of the Imam, & if he does so, then goes to Ruku again with the Imam, his prayers are in order. & if he does not return intentionally, his prayers are void. |
*Q] If a follower raises his head from Ruku ahead of the Imam by mistake, what is he required to do to correct the situation? |
A.] If a follower raises his head from Ruku before the Imam by mistake, & if the Imam is still in Ruku, he (the follower) should return to Ruku, & then raise his head with the Imam. In this case, the extra Ruku, which is a Rukn, will not invalidate the prayers. However, if Imam raises his head before the follower reaches him, as a precaution, the prayer of the follower will be void. |
PAPER # 9 |
Congregational Prayers |
A.] If a follower raises his head by mistake, & sees that the Imam is in Sajdah, as a precaution, he should return to Sajdah, & if it happens in both the Sajdah, the prayers will not be void, although a Rukn has been added. |
Q.] If a follower raises his head from Ruku or Sajdah before the Imam by mistake & realizes that if he goes back to Ruku or Sajdah he will not be in time to reach the Imam, what is he required to do? |
A.] If a follower raises his head from Ruku or Sajdah before Imam by mistake, & does not return to Ruku or Sajdah forgetfully, or thinking that he will not reach the Imam, his congregational prayer is in order. |
Q.] How should a follower react to maintain validity of his congregational prayers in a situation when the Imam mistakenly recites Qunut or Tashahhud in the Rak’at which does not have Qunut or Tashahhud? |
A.] If Imam mistakenly recites Qunut in a Rak'at which does not have Qunut, or recites Tashahhud in a Rak'at which does not have Tashahhud, the follower should not recite Qunut or Tashahhud. But, he cannot go to Ruku before the Imam or rise before the Imam rises. In fact, he should wait till the Qunut or Tashahhud of Imam ends, & offer the remaining prayers with him. |
Q.] How loudly can a ma’mum [follower behind an imam in Jama’ah] recite in prayers? |
A.] Obviously, a ma’mum cannot recite Al-Fatiha & the Sura in Jama’ah. Subhaniyyat, i.e. Tasbihat Arba’aa in third & fourth rak’ah are silently recited by the Imam & ma’mum. That leaves the adhkaar: in qunoot, rukuu, sujood, tashahhud & tasleem. These must not be recited so loud as to reach the Imam’s ears for that constitutes karaha, but does not invalidate Salaat. (ANSWERED BY SHEIKH FADHEL AL-SAHLANI THE UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE OF AYATULLAH AL-UDHMA AL-HAAJ AL-SAYYID ALI HUSAINI AL-SEESTANI) |
PAPER # 10 |
Congregational Prayers |
1426 A.] If a discerning child (Mumayyaz), one who is able to distinguish good from evil, stands between two persons in one line, thus causing a distance, their prayers in congregation will be valid as long as they do not have knowledge about that child’s Namaz having become void. |
Q.] If the Imam has completed his Takbiratul Ihram, can the persons in the back row say their Takbir before the persons in the front row have said their Takbir? |
1427 A.] If after the Takbir of the Imam, the persons in the front row are ready for prayers & are about to say Takbir, a person standing in the back row can say Takbir. However, the recommended precaution is that he should wait, till the Takbir of the front row has been pronounced. |
Q.] What is a person required to do to keep his congregational prayer valid if he joins the Imam in Ruku but as he does so the Imam raises his head from his Ruku? |
1438 A.] If a person joins the Imam when he is in Ruku, but before he bows to Ruku, the Imam raises his head from his Ruku, that person has a choice either to complete his prayers as Furada, or to continue with the Imam upto Sajdah, with the Niyyah of Qurbat. Then when he stands, he can do Takbir other than Takbiratul Ihram, as a general Zikr, & continue with the congregation. |
Q.] Can a traveler who offers shortened prayers join the Congregational Prayer led by an Imam who offers full prayers? |
A.] It is Makrooh for a traveler, who offers Zuhr, Asr & Isha prayers in shortened form (two Rak’ats), to follow a person who is not a traveler. & it is Makrooh for a person who is not a traveler to follow a traveler in those prayers. |
PAPER # 11 |
PRAYERS The
Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) said: " At the (appointed) time of every
prayer (Salaat), I hear a caller who calls & says: |
FRIDAY PRAYERS Q. Please, advise whether presence of female congregants would make up the requisite number of persons necessary for the Friday Prayer to be established. |
A. It is allowed to calculate males & females to reach the minimum number which is 5 [including the male Imam] to perform Salaatul Jumu’ah. |
Q. How long can Salaatul Jumu’ah be delayed for? |
A. Salaatul Jumu’ah cannot be delayed per se. However, if it is established later than the actual time, the delay period will depend upon ‘urf. That is to say, customarily the community decides what constitutes delay. |
Q. During Salaatul Jumu’ah, is it permissible to establish Salaatul Dhuhrayn simultaneously, either individually or in congregation? |
A. On Fridays, Salaatul Jumu’ah & Salaatul Dhuhrayn are optional obligatory. So, if Salaatul Jumu’ah with all its required conditions is established, then one has to join in & cannot pray Dhuhrayn simultaneously. |
PAPER # 12 |
At the last moments of his life, Imam Sadiq [a] called his relations &
companions & told them: |
Q.] If a person arrives late & finds that the Imam is reciting the last Tashahhud, is there anyway that he can join the congregational prayers so that he can earn “Thawab” of congregational prayers? |
A.] Yes. He should sit down after making Niyyah & pronouncing Takbiratul Ehram, & may recite Tashahhud with the Imam, but not the Salaam, & then wait till the Imam says Salaam of the prayers. Then he should stand, & without making Niyyah & Takbir, begin to recite Surah al-Hamd & the other Surah treating it as the first Rak’at of his prayers. |
Q.] When there is only one follower in the congregational prayers, where should he position himself? |
A.] If there is only one male follower, he may st& in line with Imam. |
Q.] If a person arrives late & the Imam is in the third or fourth Rak’at in the state of Qiyam, can he join the congregational prayers then or should he wait until the Imam is in Ruku? |
A.] If the Imam is in the third or fourth Rak’at, & one knows that if he joins him & recite Surah al-Hamd he will not be able to reach him in Ruku, as an obligatory precaution, he should wait till the Imam goes to Ruku & then join. |
Q] If a person arrives late & finds that the Imam is in the state Qiyam but he is not aware in which Rak’at the Imam is, how should he go about to join the congregational prayer? |
A.] If the Imam is standing, & the follower does not know in which Rak’at he is, he can join him, but he should recite Surah al-Hamd & the other Surah with the Niyyat of Qurbat though he may come to know later that the Imam was in the first or second Rak’at. |
Paper # 51 |
The Holy Prophet [saww] said: "The one who sees a wrong action done
should prohibit it by his deed, if he is capable, of course; & if he
cannot do that, he should prohibit it by his tongue, but if he is not
able to do even that, he may forbid it by his heart." |
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYERS Q] Kindly explain to me the advantages obtained & reward earned, giving both worldly & spiritual benefits one derives, when he participates in Congregational Prayers? |
A] Marhum Allama
Sayyid Saeed Akhtar Rizvi had listed 6 benefits, details as under:
[please, let us recite Sura Fateha for the benefit of his departed
soul] |
Paper # 52 |
Strive more to perform good deeds. However if you cannot perform a good
act (at least) do not disobey (the commands of Allah). Because if one
lays the foundation of a building & does not spoil it, then, even if the
progress is slow, the building will |
(f) LIMITLESS REWARD
If there are 4, every
Rak’at gets reward of 1,200 prayers.
If there are more than
10, then nobody can estimate its reward except Allah. (Marhum Allama
Sayyid Saeed Akhtar Rizvi – Elements of Islamic Studies) |