The Creed of Compassion-Islamic Teachings & Answering Doctrinal Misconceptions

Issue No. 1237- If the imam is in the miḥrāb [1] and no follower is standing behind him, the ones standing on the two sides of miḥrāb who cannot see the imam due to the walls of the miḥrāb, cannot follow him. Even if a follower stands behind the imam, the rulings of congregational prayer [as an obligatory precaution ] do not apply to prayers of those who are standing on the two sides of miḥrāb and cannot see the imam due to the walls of the miḥrāb. However, the prayer of those in the rows behind them [in case one stands behind the imam] will be in order. Also if the rows of congregation extend to the gate of the mosque and outside it, the prayers will be in order.

Issue No. 1238- If the persons standing at the two ends of row cannot see the imam due to the line being very long, they can still follow him. Similarly, if one of the rows is very long, and persons standing at the far end cannot see the row in front, their prayers in congregation will be in order.

Issue No. 1239- If a person standing behind a pillar is linked to the imam by means of another follower from either side, it will be sufficient.

Issue No. 1243- If after the takbīr of the imam the persons in the front row are ready for prayer, the followers standing in the back rows can also say takbīr and commence the prayer and it is not necessary to wait for the front rows to start prayer, rather it is better to not wait.

Issue No. 1244- If a person knows that the prayer of one of the front rows is void, and if the front row is a barrier, the back rows cannot follow the imam.

Issue No. 1246- If a follower knows that the prayer of the imam is void, like if he knows that the imam does not have wuḍū, though the imam himself may not be mindful of the fact, he cannot follow that imam. In case, however it transpires after the prayer that the imam was not a just (‘ādil) person, or was (God forbid) a disbeliever, or the prayer he led was void for any other reason, the prayer of the follower will be valid.

Issue No. 1247- If a follower doubts during prayer whether he has made the intention of following the imam or not, if he is in such a situation that makes him sure he is performing congregational prayer, he should complete the prayer with the congregation. However, if he does not become certain, he should continue the prayer with the intention of individual prayer.

Issue No. 1248- A person who is performing congregational prayer cannot turn his intention into individual prayer without any excuse, irrespective of whether or not he had decided to do so from the beginning or he decided to do so during the prayer.

Issue No. 1251- If a person, while the imam is in rukū‘, joins the congregational prayer and reaches the rukū‘ of the imam, his prayer will be in order, whether the imam has already uttered the dhikr of rukū‘ or not and it will be counted as his first rak‘at. However, if he [bends completely but] does not reach the imam in his rukū‘, he should continue the prayer with the intention of individual prayer and as an obligatory precaution, he should repeat the prayer. The same ruling applies if one doubts whether or not he has reached the imam’s rukū‘.

Issue No. 1254- If one joins the congregation from the beginning of the prayer or when sūrah al-fātiḥa and the sūrah are being recited, but does not reach the rukū‘ and before he goes to rukū‘, the imam raises his head from rukū‘, the congregational prayer of that person will not be correct, unless he has a valid excuse.

Issue No. 1255- If a person arrives for prayer when the imam is reciting the last tashahhud, and he wishes to obtain the spiritual reward of the congregational prayer, he should make the intention, utter takbīrat-ul-iḥrām, and then sit down and recite tashahhud with the imam. However, he should not utter salām and should wait until the imam completes the salām of the prayer. Then he should stand up and continue the prayer by reciting sūrah al-fātiḥa and the following sūrah. It will be counted as the first rak‘at of his prayer.

Issue No. 1256- If a person joins the congregation in the second rak‘at, he should recite qunūt and tashahhud with the imam, and the obligatory precaution is that when reciting tashahhud, he should crouch, meaning raise his knees and keep the fingers of his hands and the inner part of his feet on the ground. After the tashahhud he should stand up with the imam and recite sūrah al-fātiḥa and the other sūrah. However, if he does not have enough time for the following sūrah, he should complete sūrah al-fātiḥa and join the imam in rukū‘.