Salat al-Jama’at

151355

Woman . Salat al-Jama’at . Salah (Prayers) . Man

In congregational prayers, why are women required to stand behind men in the prayer rows? Does this not seem unfair to women? Shouldn't the rows for men and women be positioned next to one another?

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 9 hours ago

It is important to keep the respect of women not to bow in Ruku' and prostrate in Sujood in front of men. Men should not see the women bowing down or prostrating. The rows of women should be behind the rows of men.

Wassalam.

137179

Salat al-Jama’at . Nafl

Can any Nafal prayers be offered in congregation?

Mateen Charbonneau, Sheikh Mateen Joshua Charbonneau achieved a certificate from Harvard University in Islamic Studies. He undertook Howza classes under esteemed scholars since 2013 and has been teaching at Imam Mahdi... Answered 10 months ago

74054

Coronaviruses . Salat al-Jama’at

People in the mosque I go to in my country have started to pray while keeping lot of space in between them due to the coronavirus situation. Is this prayer acceptable and can I join such a congregation?

Yes it is acceptable because of the medical precaution.

'Wassalam.

151659

Sin . Repentance (Tawbah) . Salat al-Jama’at

If I witness someone committing a sin but I am unsure whether they have repented for it, does their eligibility (Adala) to lead congregational prayers diminish permanently?

No. As far as the repentance gate is open for every one as we read in Quran, we can never claim that a person who committed a sin is a permanent sinner. As a witness of his committing the sin in front of you, you need to verify whether he is still committing sins or not before praying behind him. You are not allowed to tell others not to pray behind him nor inform them about the sin which you witnessed unless he did it openly with out caring to public seeing him committing the sin.

Wassalam.

151648

House . God (Allah) . Salat al-Jama’at . Salah (Prayers)

When I pray alone, I feel much closer to Allah and can concentrate better, but when I join the congregation near my house, my prayer becomes mechanical and I get easily distracted. Should I continue praying in congregation?

Sayyed Muhammad Husaini Ragheb, Sayyed Muhammad Husaini Ragheb has a BA in Law from Guilan University, Iran and has also undertaken Hawzah studies in Qom. He used to be a Cultural Affairs director of Ethics Group of Al-Mustafa... Answered 1 year ago

Assalamu Alaikum
Still praying in Jama'3ah i.e. in congregation is more recommended than alone.
You can acquire the closeness and concentration when you know that you are doing something which is more liked by Allah swt.
Sometimes these justifications come from Satan to make the Muminin lonely and away from the Jama'3ah.
Rasulullah s.a.w.a is quoted to have said:
أيُّها النّاسُ ، علَيكُم بالجَماعةِ ، و إيّاكُم و الفُرْقةَ
[كنز العمّال : 1028.]
O' People I advise you to be with the Jama'3ah and stay away from disunity.
Also it is narrated from him s.a.w.a that said:
يدُ اللّه ِ على الجَماعةِ ، فإذا اشْتَذَّ الشّاذُّ مِنهُم اخْتَطَفَهُ الشّيطانُ كما يَخْتَطِفُ الذِّئبُ الشّاةَ الشّاذّةَ مِن الغَنَمِ
[كنز العمّال : 1032.]
God's hand is on the congregation; Whenever a person is separated from the congregation, the devil steals him, just like a wolf separates a sheep from the flock.

So as a conclusion try not to listen to whispers of Satan and be with the groups of Mu'minin.

144306

Adhan . Iqama . Salat al-Jama’at

Is it necessary for the followers (Muqtadi) to recite the Adhan and Iqamah, or is it sufficient for the Muazzin to recite it for the entire congregation?

Participants in congregational prayer (Salat Al-Jama’ah) don’t need to recite Athaan nor Iqama has far it has been recited by Muazzin or others.

Wassalam.

138288

Narrations . Sunni-Shi'a . Tarawih . Salah (Prayers) . Salat al-Jama’at

Are there any narrations in Shia books that show that the Prophet (s) led Taraweeh prayers in congregation?

No. There is no single narration that the Prophet ever led Taraweeh neither in Sunni nor in Shia books. Taraweeh was initiated in the year 14 after Hijra by Umar Ibn Al-Khattab as he himself called it a Bid'ah and said it is a good Bid'ah. (Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Salat Al-Taraweeh.)

Wassalam.

127001

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

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

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.