Is it permissible in Islamic law to miss congregational prayers due to fear of being arrested for debts, and would my prayer with my family suffice to replace the congregation?
First: We advise you to make abundant supplications and humble pleas to Allah Almighty. Among the supplications mentioned in the Sunnah for relieving distress and repaying debt are: 1. "O Allah, suffice me with Your lawful against Your unlawful, and enrich me with Your bounty, by which I will be independent of all besides You." 2. "There is no god but Allah, the Almighty, the Forbearing. There is no god but Allah, Lord of the heavens and the earth, and Lord of the Magnificent Throne." 3. "There is no god but You; glory be to You, indeed I was among the wrongdoers." 4. "O Ever-Living, O Sustainer, by Your mercy I seek assistance." 5. "O Allah, I am Your servant, son of Your servant, son of Your maidservant. My forelock is in Your hand. Your judgment upon me is past, and Your decree concerning me is just. I ask You by every name belonging to You, by which You have named Yourself, or taught to one of Your creation, or revealed in Your Book, or preserved in the knowledge of the unseen with You, that You make the Qur’an the spring of my heart, the light of my chest, the remover of my sadness, and the dispeller of my worries."
Second: It is permissible for you to miss congregational prayer in the mosque if you fear being apprehended due to a debt you are unable to repay. This is one of the valid excuses for missing the congregation. You may perform congregational prayer in your home with your family. You must promptly sell the mortgaged house to settle your debts, and it is not permissible for you to procrastinate in this matter.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/12923