Congregational Prayer

Masjid-al-Haram, Congregational Prayer

Congregational prayer (Arabic: صلاة الجماعة) is one of the important acts of worship in Islam which should be done in group and includes both devotional and social aspects of the religion. In congregation prayer, whoever stands in the front and is followed by the people, is called "Imam" (someone who leads the prayer) and the ones following him are called "Ma'mum". Some narrations imply that Islamic prayer was legislated originally as a congregational worship. The Prophet (s) and Imam 'Ali (a) performed the first congregational prayer. In addition to its ritual and moral effects, congregational prayer has many politico-social benefits like: manifestation of worshiping God, manifestation and disclosure of religion in the society, cooperation for doing good deeds and preventing sins, identification of Islamic society, raising people's awareness of each other, making acquaintance and connection among Muslims by a particular discipline. Narrations have emphasized very much on participating in congregational prayers even in difficult situations and by bearing hardships. Enormous rewards have been promised for it, to the point that it is been narrated: if the number of performers exceeded 10, the reward of each rak'a could not be counted. Congregational prayer is counted as the Prophet's sunna, that who leaves it with no excuses, will not gain the (merit of) true prayer.

Importance of congregational prayer

According to Quran, Allah has ordered twice to pray congregationally, also in narrations along with strong recommendation, numerous impacts and consequences have been mentioned; such as:

• release of hypocrisy
• pleasure of God and the angels
• forgiveness of sins
• easing the hardships of the hereafter
• entering Heaven
• acceptance of other prayers
• receiving intercession

On the other hand, leaving congregational prayer without a valid excuse, has been considered as one of the reasons why prayer is not granted, also downgrading it has been paralleled with downgrading God.

The more people participate in congregational prayer the more they please God and the more the reward shall be. One follower will make the merit of congregational prayer 150 times more than individual prayer, and two will make it 600 times more, and if they exceeded 9, no one knows its reward except God.

In some traditions a single congregational prayer is counted as more than 40 years of individual prayer in house. In another narration the merit of praying behind an 'alim (knowledgeable person) has been equaled to the one behind the Prophet (s). The Prophet (s) said: whoever goes toward a mosque, for every step, one thousand good deeds will be written in his record, and he will be raised one thousand levels, and if he dies in this condition, God will order 70 thousands angels to visit him in his grave, accompanying him in his loneliness, until he is resurrected from his grave.

History

Participation of Lady Mary (a) in congregational prayer has been mentioned in the Quran.

The first congregational prayer in Islam was held by the Prophet (s) as the Imam of prayer (who leads the prayer), and participation of Imam Ali (a), afterwards Ja'far al-Tayyar (Imam Ali's brother) joined them by the order of Abu Talib (a) (Imam Ali's father). Lady Khadija (a) was the first woman participating a congregational prayer.

Congregational prayer, recommended or obligatory?

Shi'a jurists' hold it that congregational prayer is highly recommended, but Hanbalis and some of Hanafis jurists say it is obligatory per person (wajib 'ayni) but not a condition for the validity of the prayers; and a group of Shafi'is says it is "wajib kifa'i" (obligatory for all while as long as the duty for fulfillment of a social need exists) for men who are not traveling. Most of Hanbalis and Malikis and some of Shafi'is believe that performing all wajib prayers (except for Friday Prayer) congregationally is highly recommended for all who can participate in it without bearing difficulties.

Majority of Shi'a jurists believe that prayer of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha must be performed congregationally if all the conditions (including presence of an infallible Imam) are met; however some of them allow performing it and consider it as Mustahab in the time of occultation. In respect of the Sunni school of thought, Hanafis and Hanbalis have the same belief, but Malikis and Shafi'is see performing the Eid prayer congregationally as recommended, however all Muslims believe that the Friday prayer is not valid if it is not performed congregationally.

Most Sunni jurists allow performing every mustahab prayer congregationally, however Malikis and Hanafis believe that performing some mustahab prayers (other than what is performed in the month of Ramadan) and Ayat prayer congregationally, is makruh (disliked). On the other hand, Shi's jurisprudents do not allow this at all, except for Istisqa' prayer (prayer for rain), and count every mustahab prayer done congregationally, as bid'a (innovation in the religion).

How it is preformed

Eid prayer in Imam Square, Isfahan

There is almost the same way of how to perform a congregational prayer in all Islamic sects. Imam of prayer (who leads the prayer) recites sura al-Fatiha and a Sura in the two first rak'as in behalf of the people following him in prayer, though the people behind him recite other parts quietly, while following the Imam in prayer moves and actions.

A ma'mum (follower in prayer) must not do the prayer acts ahead of the Imam, although it does not invalidate his prayer in the view of majority of Shi'a and some Sunni scholars. Some jurists believe that following the Imam in prayer acts is the condition of the validity of the prayer but others believe it is the condition of its recognition as a congregational prayer.

Validity conditions

There are specific principles in both Shi'a and Sunni schools of thought, for validity of a congregational prayer, such as:

1. Presence of at least two persons, one of which leads the prayer; however this ruling is a little different in friday prayer and Eid prayer.
2. Similarity between the kinds of prayer Imam and ma'mum perform in respect to being mustahab or wajib (when a mustahb prayer could be performed congregationally).
3. Followers must not stand ahead of Imam.
4. There must be no obstacle preventing followers from observing the Imam, between the first line and the Imam.
5. Lines of congregational prayer must be connected to each other.
6. The location of the Imam must not be higher than that of the followers; therefore, Mihrabs (a semicircular niche in the wall of a mosque) are usually built lower than the mosque's floor.

Qualifications of the Imam

Main article: Imam of Jama'a

Imam is the one standing in the front and leads the congregational prayer. In socio-political system of Islam, whoever leads a group of people must have certain virtues and traits, so that he inspires others. Likewise the Imam in congregational prayer –apart from having "'Adalat" (justice) and correct recitation- should be superior to other people in terms of knowledge and taqwa (piety), trustworthy, capable of leading people spiritually in this world and interceding for them in hereafter, and be counted as adornment of the mosque.

Shi'a faqihs (jurists) emphasized on the qualification of 'Adala (being just) so much that they explicitly said: the prayer behind an unjust Imam is invalid.

Jurists from all the Islamic sects believe unanimously that a woman cannot lead a congregational prayer if there is a man among followers; however some Shi'a jurists allow it only if the followers are all female.

Manners of congregational prayer

Many manners for congregational prayer have been mentioned in narrations; some of which are: Trying to stand in the first line -it is said that it has the reward of jihad-, paying attention to your own prayer and not be distracted by others' prayer or actions, act in accord with Imam and not mess up the order of prayer, wearing best clothes and perfume, not disturbing other people who are in lines, not having bad breath so that people get annoyed, not bothering others by reciting loudly, greeting with other people and asking about the ones who are absent. Also the Imam should care about the followers' situation.

Impacts of congregational prayer

The great emphasis on congregational prayer in Islam indicates its great impact and result on Muslims' spiritual and social life. Some of the most important impacts are: manifestation and publicizing the Islam and ikhlas (loyalty to God), showing the greatness of the religion, stoking fear in the heart of enemies and peace in believers', developing and deepening the prayer culture in the community, boosting the spirit of unity and empathy, removing the authoritarian and solitary spirit, cooperating and solving others' problems, companionship with righteous people, learning knowledge, piety, justice and principles, and etc.

Important congregational prayers

The congregational prayers that are held in Masjid al-Haram and Masjid al-Nabi are considered to be the most important congregational prayers which have been performed by Muslims from various countries and different sects over centuries. They always were platform for unity and solidarity among the Muslims. Nearly 4 million Muslims attend in Masjid al-Haram's congregational prayer in the most crowded day during hajj (pilgrimage period).

Ayatullah Muhammad Husayn Kashif al-Ghita' represented Iraqi scholars in "Quds Islamic Congress". His personality caused him to lead the congregational prayer in Masjid al-Aqsa, in which thousands of Muslims including scholars from various Islamic sects attending the congress, participated.

This event is important because at that time Shi'a could not even perform prayer in a Beirut mosque without taqiyya, but after his journey everything changed and Shi'a was treated like other Islamic sects.

External Links

• The material for this article is mainly taken fromنماز جماعت in Farsi WikiShia.