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Congregational Prayer: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Masjid-al-haram.jpg|thumbnail|300px|[[Masjid al-Haram]], Congregational Prayer]] | [[File:Masjid-al-haram.jpg|thumbnail|300px|[[Masjid al-Haram]], Congregational Prayer]] | ||
'''Congregational prayer''' (Arabic:{{InlineArabic| 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 of Congregational prayer|Imam]]" (someone who leads the [[prayer]]) and the ones following him are called "Ma'mum". | '''Congregational prayer''' (Arabic:{{InlineArabic| 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 of Congregational prayer|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. | Some narrations imply that Islamic prayer was legislated originally as a congregational worship.<ref>Burūjirdī, ''kitāb al-qibla sitr wa sātir wa makān al-muṣallī'', vol. 2, p. 84.</ref> [[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 [[sin]]s, identification of Islamic society, raising people's awareness of each other, making acquaintance and connection among [[Muslim]]s by a particular discipline. | 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 [[sin]]s, identification of Islamic society, raising people's awareness of each other, making acquaintance and connection among [[Muslim]]s by a particular discipline. | ||
[[Narration]]s have emphasized very much on participating in congregational prayers even in difficult situations and by bearing hardships. Enormous [[Thawab and 'Iqab|reward]]s 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. | [[Narration]]s have emphasized very much on participating in congregational prayers even in difficult situations and by bearing hardships. Enormous [[Thawab and 'Iqab|reward]]s 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 == | == Importance == | ||
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: | According to [[Quran]], [[Allah]] has ordered twice to pray congregationally,<ref>Qurʾān, 2:43; 3: 43.</ref> also in narrations along with strong recommendation, numerous impacts and consequences have been mentioned; such as: | ||
* release of hypocrisy | * release of hypocrisy<ref>Nūrī, ''Mustadrak al-Wasāʾil'', vol. 6, p. 449.</ref> | ||
* pleasure of God and the [[angel]]s | * pleasure of God and the [[angel]]s<ref>Ṣadūq, ''Thawāb al-aʿmāl'', p. 37.</ref> | ||
* forgiveness of sins | * forgiveness of sins<ref>Ṣadūq, ''Thawāb al-aʿmāl'', p. 37.</ref> | ||
* easing the hardships of the [[hereafter]] | * easing the hardships of the [[hereafter]] | ||
* entering [[Heaven]] | * entering [[Heaven]]<ref>Ḥurr al-ʿĀmilī, ''Wasāʾil al-Shīʿa'', vol. 5, p. 372.</ref> | ||
* acceptance of other [[prayer]]s | * acceptance of other [[prayer]]s<ref>Majlisī, ''Biḥār al-anwār'', vol. 88, p. 4.</ref> | ||
* receiving [[intercession]] | * receiving [[intercession]]Nūrī, ''Mustadrak al-Wasāʾil'', vol. 6, p. 449. | ||
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]]. | 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]].<ref>Ḥurr al-ʿĀmilī, ''Wasāʾil al-Shīʿa'', vol. 5, p. 295.</ref> | ||
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. | The more people participate in congregational prayer the more they please God<ref>Ibn Ḥanbal, ''Musnad'', vol. 5, p. 140.</ref> 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.<ref>Majlisī, ''Biḥār al-anwār'', vol. 85, p. 15.</ref> | ||
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. | In some traditions a single congregational prayer is counted as more than 40 years of individual prayer in house.<ref>Nūrī, ''Mustadrak al-Wasāʾil'', vol. 6, p. 446.</ref> In another narration the merit of praying behind an 'alim (knowledgeable person) has been equaled to the one behind [[the Prophet (s)]].<ref>Majlisī, ''Biḥār al-anwār'', vol. 88, p. 119.</ref> 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.<ref>Majlisī, ''Biḥār al-anwār'', vol. 85, p. 434.</ref> | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
Participation of [[Mary (a)|Lady Mary (a)]] in congregational prayer has been mentioned in the [[Quran]]. | Participation of [[Mary (a)|Lady Mary (a)]] in congregational prayer has been mentioned in the [[Quran]].<ref>Qurʾān, 3: 43.</ref> | ||
The first congregational prayer in Islam was held by [[the Prophet (s)]] as the [[Imam of congregational prayer]] (leader of congregational 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. | The first congregational prayer in Islam was held by [[the Prophet (s)]] as the [[Imam of congregational prayer]] (leader of congregational 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).<ref>Majlisī, ''Biḥār al-anwār'', vol. 85, p. 3.</ref> Lady [[Khadija (a)]] was the first woman participating a congregational prayer.<ref>Ibn Athīr al-Jazarī, ''Jāmiʿ al-uṣūl'', vol. 3, p. 414.</ref> | ||
== Congregational prayer, recommended or obligatory? == | == 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 [[wajib|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. | [[Shi'a]] jurists' hold it that congregational prayer is highly [[recommended]]<ref>Narāqī, ''Mustanad al-Shīʿa'', vol. 8, p. 11-12.</ref>, but [[Hanbalis]] and some of [[Hanafis]] jurists say it is [[wajib|obligatory]] per person ([[wajib]] 'ayni) but not a condition for the validity of the prayers;<ref>Ibn Athīr al-Jazarī, ''Jāmiʿ al-uṣūl'', vol. 5, p. 564-566.</ref> 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 [[jurist]]s believe that [[Eid Prayer|prayer of Eid al-Fitr]] and [[Eid Prayer|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. | Majority of Shi'a [[jurist]]s believe that [[Eid Prayer|prayer of Eid al-Fitr]] and [[Eid Prayer|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. | ||