What is the ruling on establishing Friday prayer in a private prayer room within a residential complex, in Arabic, so as to spread benefit and understanding, especially in a country where Friday prayer is held in mosques in the Malay language?
The original ruling prohibits multiple Friday prayers in one city, unless there is a legitimate شرعي excuse, such as long distances, the mosque being too small to accommodate all worshippers, fear of discord (fitna), or the city being vast with widely separated districts. It is forbidden to hold Friday prayers in more than one location without a need. If this is done, the Friday prayer led by the Imam himself or authorized by him is valid. If both are equal, the second one is invalid. The Imam's impiety or the delivery of mosque sermons in a language other than Arabic are not considered valid excuses for holding a separate Friday prayer. If there is a legitimate excuse that permits multiple Friday prayers, then they may be held in any suitable place, as the Friday prayer does not require a mosque or a congregational mosque. As for the number of people required for the Friday prayer to be valid, there is no text specifying it, and scholars have differed on this matter. The preponderant opinion is that it becomes valid with three settled men.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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