Waiting for Worshippers for the Congregation

Question

(1) If in some mosque not a single worshipper has come for the Fajr or Maghrib prayer, and it is expected that someone will come shortly, may the imam in such a case wait for worshippers until the end of the time or not? (2) If the imam, without waiting, prayed alone at the appointed time, will he receive the reward of congregational prayer or not? Some people say that the imam should pray at the appointed time whether anyone comes or not, for the angels and the jinn follow the imam (iqtida’). Is this correct?

Answer

(1) He should wait until before the disliked (makruh) time arrives. Where there are Muslims living around, everyone together should arrange for all people to come to prayer. For this purpose da‘wa rounds should be made, gatherings should be held, and the reading and hearing of “Fada’il-i Namaz” (“Virtues of Prayer”) and the like should be arranged.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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