Is it permissible to go to the mosque for prayer after the iqama has been called?
It is recommended for a Muslim to go early to the mosque to attain the virtue of awaiting the prayer and securing a place in the first row, based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "If people knew what was in the call to prayer and the first row, and found no way to obtain it except by drawing lots, they would draw lots for it. And if they knew what was in arriving early for prayer, they would race to it. And if they knew what was in the 'Isha and Fajr prayers, they would come to them even if they had to crawl." If one comes to the mosque after the iqama has been called, there is no sin upon him, but he misses out on the reward of arriving early and awaiting the prayer.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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