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Congregational Prayer: Difference between revisions
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* receiving [[intercession]]<ref>Nūrī, ''Mustadrak al-Wasāʾil'', vol. 6, p. 449.</ref> | * receiving [[intercession]]<ref>Nūrī, ''Mustadrak al-Wasāʾil'', vol. 6, p. 449.</ref> | ||
On the other hand, leaving congregational prayer without a valid excuse has been considered one reason why prayer is not granted, also downgrading | On the other hand, leaving congregational prayer without a valid excuse has been considered one reason why prayer is not granted, also downgrading 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<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> | 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.<ref>Nūrī, ''Mustadrak al-Wasāʾil'', vol. 6, p. 446.</ref> In another narration the merit of praying behind an 'alim (knowledgeable person) has been equated 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 seventy thousand 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> | 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 equated 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 seventy thousand 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> | ||
Since the beginning, the Prophet (a) performed his prayers in congregation. In early Islam, congregational prayer was led by the Prophet (a), and [[Imam Ali (a)]] was the only male follower. Then, [[Ja'far al-Tayyar]] (Imam Ali's (a) brother) joined them by | Since the beginning, the Prophet (a) performed his prayers in congregation. In early Islam, congregational prayer was led by the Prophet (a), and [[Imam Ali (a)]] was the only male follower. Then, [[Ja'far al-Tayyar]] (Imam Ali's (a) brother) joined them by order of [[Abu Talib]] (Imam Ali's (a) father).<ref>Majlisī, ''Biḥār al-anwār'', vol. 85, p. 3.</ref> [[Lady Khadija (a)]] was the first woman participating in congregational prayer.<ref>Ibn Athīr al-Jazarī, ''Jāmiʿ al-uṣūl'', vol. 3 p. 414</ref> | ||
Congregational prayer is not explicitly mentioned in the Quran; yet, faqihs believe the [[Qur'an]] has enjoined to perform congregational prayer in the verse,<ref>Ṣadūq, ''Man lā-yaḍuruh al-faqīh'', 1413 AH, vol. 1, p. 375.</ref> "And maintain the prayer, and give the zakat, and bow along with those who bow [in prayer]."<ref>Qur'an 2:43</ref> | Congregational prayer is not explicitly mentioned in the Quran; yet, faqihs believe the [[Qur'an]] has enjoined to perform congregational prayer in the verse,<ref>Ṣadūq, ''Man lā-yaḍuruh al-faqīh'', 1413 AH, vol. 1, p. 375.</ref> "And maintain the prayer, and give the zakat, and bow along with those who bow [in prayer]."<ref>Qur'an 2:43</ref> | ||
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According to Shia faqihs performing recommended prayers is not permissible, except [[Istisqa' prayer]] (prayer for rain).<ref>Muḥaqqiq al-Ḥillī, ''al-Muʿtabar'', 1407 AH, vol. 2, p. 415</ref> Yet, some of Shi'a [[jurist]]s believe that [[Eid Prayer|prayer of Eid al-Fitr]] and [[Eid Prayer|Eid al-Adha]] are [[recommended]] in the time of [[occultation]].<ref>Yazdī Ṭabāṭabāʾī, ''al-ʿUrwa al-wuthqā'', 1409, vol. 1, p. 765; Imām Khomeini, ''Tawḍīḥ al-masāʾil'', 1387 Sh, p. 234</ref> Majority of Shia faqihs believe that eid prayers-either recommended or obligatory-must be performed congregationally.<ref>Ṣadūq, ''al-Muqniʿ'', 1415 AH, p. 149. Narāqī, ''Mustanad al-Shīʿa'', 1415 AH, vol. 6, p. 6.</ref> | According to Shia faqihs performing recommended prayers is not permissible, except [[Istisqa' prayer]] (prayer for rain).<ref>Muḥaqqiq al-Ḥillī, ''al-Muʿtabar'', 1407 AH, vol. 2, p. 415</ref> Yet, some of Shi'a [[jurist]]s believe that [[Eid Prayer|prayer of Eid al-Fitr]] and [[Eid Prayer|Eid al-Adha]] are [[recommended]] in the time of [[occultation]].<ref>Yazdī Ṭabāṭabāʾī, ''al-ʿUrwa al-wuthqā'', 1409, vol. 1, p. 765; Imām Khomeini, ''Tawḍīḥ al-masāʾil'', 1387 Sh, p. 234</ref> Majority of Shia faqihs believe that eid prayers-either recommended or obligatory-must be performed congregationally.<ref>Ṣadūq, ''al-Muqniʿ'', 1415 AH, p. 149. Narāqī, ''Mustanad al-Shīʿa'', 1415 AH, vol. 6, p. 6.</ref> | ||
Most Sunni jurists allow performing every [[recommended prayer]] congregationally, including [[tarawih prayers]]. However, Malikis and Hanafis believe that performing some recommended prayers (other than what is performed in the month of [[Ramadan]]) and [[Ayat prayer]] congregationally | Most Sunni jurists allow performing every [[recommended prayer]] congregationally, including [[tarawih prayers]]. However, Malikis and Hanafis believe that performing some recommended prayers (other than what is performed in the month of [[Ramadan]]) and [[Ayat prayer]] congregationally is [[makruh]] (reprehensible).<ref>Jazīrī, ''Kitāb al-fiqh'', vol. 1, p. 370.</ref> On the other hand, Shi'a [[jurist]]s count tarawih prayers as [[bid'a]] (innovation in the religion).<ref>Ṭūsī, ''al-Khilāf'', vol. 1, p. 530.</ref> | ||
All Muslims agree that the [[Friday prayer]] is not valid if it is not performed congregationally.<ref>Mūṣilī, ''al-Ikhtīyār'', vol. 1, p. 83.</ref> | All Muslims agree that the [[Friday prayer]] is not valid if it is not performed congregationally.<ref>Mūṣilī, ''al-Ikhtīyār'', vol. 1, p. 83.</ref> | ||
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[[File:Eid prayer in Imam Square, Isfahan.jpg|260px|thumbnail|[[Eid prayer]] in Imam Square, [[Isfahan]]]] | [[File:Eid prayer in Imam Square, Isfahan.jpg|260px|thumbnail|[[Eid prayer]] in Imam Square, [[Isfahan]]]] | ||
There is almost the same way of performing a congregational prayer in all [[Islamic sects]]. [[Imam of congregational prayer]] (who leads the prayer) recites [[Qur'an 1]] (sura al-Fatiha) and a [[sura]] in the two first [[rak'a]]s | There is almost the same way of performing a congregational prayer in all [[Islamic sects]]. [[Imam of congregational prayer]] (who leads the prayer) recites [[Qur'an 1]] (sura al-Fatiha) and a [[sura]] in the two first [[rak'a]]s on 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 the 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. Still, others believe it is the condition of its recognition as a congregational prayer.<ref>Jazīrī, ''Kitāb al-fiqh'', vol. 1, p. 381-385; Khūʾī, ''al-Mustanad fī sharḥ al-ʿurwa al-wuthqā'', vol. 17, p. 229-232.</ref> | 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 the 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. Still, others believe it is the condition of its recognition as a congregational prayer.<ref>Jazīrī, ''Kitāb al-fiqh'', vol. 1, p. 381-385; Khūʾī, ''al-Mustanad fī sharḥ al-ʿurwa al-wuthqā'', vol. 17, p. 229-232.</ref> | ||
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# 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]]. | # 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]]. | ||
# Similarity between the kinds of prayer imam and ma'mum perform in respect to being [[recommended]] or [[obligatory]] (when a recommended prayer could be performed congregationally). | # Similarity between the kinds of prayer imam and ma'mum perform in respect to being [[recommended]] or [[obligatory]] (when a recommended prayer could be performed congregationally). | ||
# Followers must not stand ahead of imam. | # Followers must not stand ahead of an imam. | ||
# There must be no obstacle preventing followers from observing the imam, between the first line and the imam.<ref>Yazdī Ṭabāṭabāʾī, ''al-ʿUrwa al-wuthqā'', 1409, vol. 1, p. 777</ref> | # There must be no obstacle preventing followers from observing the imam, between the first line and the imam.<ref>Yazdī Ṭabāṭabāʾī, ''al-ʿUrwa al-wuthqā'', 1409, vol. 1, p. 777</ref> | ||
# Lines of congregational prayer must be connected. | # Lines of congregational prayer must be connected. | ||
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{{main|Imam of congregational prayer}} | {{main|Imam of congregational prayer}} | ||
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 | Imam is the one standing in the front and leads the congregational prayer. In the socio-political system of [[Islam]], whoever leads a group of people must have certain virtues and traits to inspire others. Likewise, the Imam in congregational prayer should be just<ref>Najafī, ''Jawāhir al-Kalām'', vol. 13, p. 275.</ref> and have a correct recitation. <ref>Yazdī, ''al-ʿUrwa al-wuthqā'', vol. 1, p. 798.</ref> | ||
Moreover in hadiths, some attributes are mentioned for the meritorious Imam of congregational prayer such as being superior to other people in terms of knowledge and [[piety]], trustworthy, and be counted as an adornment of the [[mosque]]. | Moreover in hadiths, some attributes are mentioned for the meritorious Imam of congregational prayer such as being superior to other people in terms of knowledge and [[piety]], trustworthy, and be counted as an adornment of the [[mosque]]. | ||
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== Impacts == | == Impacts == | ||
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),<ref>Ḥurr ʿĀmilī, ''Wasāʾil al-Shīʿa'', 1409 AH, vol. 8, p. 287</ref> 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, etc. {{cn}} | 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),<ref>Ḥurr ʿĀmilī, ''Wasāʾil al-Shīʿa'', 1409 AH, vol. 8, p. 287</ref> 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, etc. {{cn}} | ||
== Important congregational prayers == | == Important congregational prayers == | ||