Congregation and Mosque
1,833 questions
Is it necessary to perform the Sunnah of Wudu (ablution), تحية المسجد (greeting the mosque prayer), and the pre-prayer Sunnah in sequence, or can they be combined with a single intention? And can one catch the Takbirat al-Ihram (opening Takbir) while performing one of these Sunnahs in the mosque?
What is the ruling on the aḏhān recited by a non-discerning child when there are others more qualified than him, knowing that his family intends thereby to encourage him?
How can one overcome obsessive thoughts about intention in prayer, which have led to missing prayers and Friday congregational prayer? What is the Islamic ruling on someone who intends to pray but feels overwhelmed by the need for extreme focus? And is it valid to adopt practical solutions to overcome these obsessive thoughts while trusting that Allah will accept the prayer?
Should one pray with a traveling guest at home to include him in the congregational prayer, or go to the mosque and leave him to pray alone, given that there are no mahrams in the house?
What is the ruling on sleeping through the 'Asr prayer until the congregational prayer is missed due to exhaustion from work and a long commute?
Is one who is unable to pray in the mosque in congregation or attend Friday prayer due to travel and work on board a ship sinful, given that he can pray individually and determine the Qibla?
Is it obligatory to ascertain the imam's knowledge of the rulings of recitation and prayer before following him in congregational prayer?
Is it permissible to return to smoking again to help apply a diet system, knowing that there is severe knee pain that prevents praying while standing and affects the ability to go to the mosque?
What is the ruling on eating garlic or onions before Maghrib or 'Isha prayers, knowing that this will prevent one from praying in the mosque? And what is the ruling on one who eats onions before the Friday prayer to prevent himself from attending it? And what is the difference between the two cases?
Is praying in the congregational mosque (Masjid al-Jami') better, and do mosques where Friday prayers are not held have the same rulings as the congregational mosque? And is every place designated for prayer, but without a regular Imam, considered a mosque? And does the first congregation have preference, and does congregational prayer in offices differ? And is the second congregation in the congregational mosque better than an individual's prayer?
Is it permissible for a Muslim to pray at home if the Imam in his mosque does not recite Al-Fatiha correctly, and the Imam of the next closest mosque is too fast in his prayer, which prevents reverence and the completion of supplications?
What is the ruling on being lenient in forsaking congregational prayer in the mosque? And is the Hadith of Ibn Abbas, which mentions that whoever forsakes congregational prayer is in the Fire, authentic? And is it a severe warning for whoever forsakes prayer in the mosque?
Is it permissible for me to work in a place far from the mosque to avoid the sin of abandoning congregational prayer, if the officials at the workplace prevent performing congregational prayer in the mosque?
Is it obligatory to wait for congregational prayer in a mosque that delays the prayer without a valid excuse until just before Asr, or is it better to pray at home at the beginning of the time?
Is it permissible for me to pray at my workplace due to my inability to go to the mosque except for Fajr, Maghrib, and 'Isha, knowing that I work in security in Abu Dhabi?
Is it permissible to leave a relative—who lives with me in the same house and does not pray in congregation—with my wife and go to the mosque to perform the prayer, knowing that I have no one in the house except my wife and a baby girl who is not yet one year old?
Is the official call to prayer of the country sufficient over another call to prayer for a group that does not have a mosque?
Is it considered a sin not to take the initiative to go to the mosque for prayer with guests or to lead them in prayer at home due to embarrassment, and what should be done about it?
Is it obligatory to fast for twenty rak'ahs if the vow "I shall pray ten rak'ahs for Allah if I do not pray in the mosque next time" is repeated twice?
Why is the Fajr prayer not performed in congregation in the mosque like the Tarawih prayer, even though Islamic law commands it?
Is it obligatory for me to pray in the mosque in congregation and leave my brother to pray alone, or to pray with him in congregation in our place if he cannot leave the place?
What is the ruling of Islamic law on refraining from praying in the mosque due to the misconduct of officials, their ignorance of religion, and their failure to implement Sharia, especially since there is another almost empty mosque, and instead praying at home to avoid strife?
Which is better for someone who missed Maghrib prayer with the congregation: should he be led by someone who prayed Maghrib in congregation, or should he lead someone who prayed Maghrib in congregation? And in the second case, must the follower repeat the prayer, or should he wait for the Imam?
What is the ruling regarding an Imam who refuses to pray in congregation at the mosque under the pretext of praying with his family, commits doctrinal errors, and insults the worshippers with mockery, such as his statement: "Raising the hands during prayer is non-existent, and he likened it to the method of shooing away flies," even though "the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray with raising [his hands] (narrated by Al-Bukhari 735 and Muslim 390)"; and is it permissible to pray behind him?