Is avoiding prayer in the adjacent mosque and going to a farther mosque, out of fear of people's talk about commitment to prayer, considered hypocrisy?
A Muslim's fear of being accused by people of abandoning the congregation is not hypocrisy if he only abandons it due to a valid excuse, and he must keep sincerity to Allah firmly in mind. There is no harm in praying in a farther mosque if it is better, such as having a larger congregation or being older, provided that it does not lead to the disruption of the congregation in the nearer mosque. Concealing good deeds is commendable if one fears showing off, except for manifest rituals. As for someone who abandons the congregation and makes people believe that he is praying in it, this is among the characteristics of hypocrites, and he must repent.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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