Question:Which is better and more rewarding: praying in congregation after the beginning of the prayer time, or praying individually at the start of the time?

Answer:In the name of Allah, prayer in congregation is better, especially if there are ten or more participants. Allah knows best.

Question:If the congregational prayer is being held, is it valid for someone to pray individually, especially if it is an audible prayer and the imam can hear the recitation of the individual? If it is not permissible, does the prayer become invalid or is there only sin involved?

Answer:In the name of Allah, such a prayer is not valid. Allah knows best.

Question:In the month of Ramadan, is it better in congregational prayer to limit it to Maghrib and ʿIsha only—leaving out the Maghrib nafilah—and to shorten Maghrib and ʿIsha by reciting short surahs such as al-ʿAsr or al-Nasr, performing the smaller tasbīḥ in rukūʿ (Subḥān Allāh three times) and likewise in sujūd, and offering a light qunūt such as restricting it to “O Allah, bless Muḥammad and the family of Muḥammad,” or “My Lord, forgive me and have mercy on me,” and similar short supplications? Or is it better to perform the nafilah and not lighten the obligatory prayer, by reciting the larger tasbīḥ in rukūʿ and sujūd, combining both the larger and smaller tasbīḥ in them, and performing the prescribed qunūt such as Duʿāʾ al-Faraj and others?

Answer:In the name of Allah, the imam should follow what those praying behind him prefer. If they prefer leaving out the nafilah, then the imam should perform it afterward as qaḍāʾ. Allah, the All-Knowing, knows best.

Question:Is outward righteousness sufficient to establish the justice of the imam of congregational prayer (Imām al-jamāʿah)?

Answer:In His name, the Exalted: If the outward conduct of his actions leads to confidence in his justice, then that is sufficient. Allah knows best.

Question:The correctness of the prayer leader's recitation is a condition for leading the congregation in prayer. It is not permissible to follow someone who does not recite well. So, is it permissible to follow someone who does not recite well, with the understanding that the prayer is not valid and the person must repeat it later? Knowing that following the leader is done for some benefit, such as the hope of gaining reward or increasing the number of worshippers?

Answer:In the name of Allah, the benefits of praying in congregation are only attained when the congregation is valid, and the prayer is not valid behind someone who does not recite well. Allah knows best.

Question:If a person does not consider himself just, either because he does not possess justice in reality or for some other reason, is it permissible for him to lead the congregation in prayer if the congregants believe him to be just? And if he does lead the prayer, will he have committed a sin?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it is not permissible for him to lead the prayer in the scenario you described. Rather, he should avoid doing so with a valid and reasonable excuse. Allah knows best.

Question:Should congregational prayer be relatively quick to make it easier for the elderly and not be a burden on them?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it is recommended to keep the prayer light, meaning not to overdo the recommended acts and not to prolong the obligatory acts. Allah knows best.

Question:A certain mosque guard expels worshippers from the mosque and does not allow them to enter under the pretext of COVID-19, although the number is small, the mosque is large, and only those who want to enter are allowed. Everything has returned to its normal state except for this mosque. Is this action correct?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it is incumbent upon the responsible authority to fulfill its duty and to alert the mosque manager that there is no objection to opening the mosque while adhering to the medical directives regarding this matter, as we have emphasized in our previous statement regarding serving the believers. Allah is the Guide.

Question:In the congregational prayer, if the follower raises his head from bowing before the leader and remains standing intentionally without returning to bowing to follow the leader, is it ruled that their congregation is invalidated?

Answer:In the name of Allah, the congregation is not invalidated by such an action because the follower in this situation has the choice between two options: either returning to bow to follow the leader or waiting for him to prostrate. Allah knows best.

Question:I pray in a mosque, but I do not believe that the leader of the prayers is a just man. However, if I leave the congregation prayer, the people who pray there will notice that. This might be bad for the leader and make the praying people separate into two parts. My question is: Is it permissible to pray behind him without the intention of a congregational prayer?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it is permissible, provided that all the conditions of the prayer are met as is required. Allah knows best.