Should the prayer be in light or in darkness?

Question

In a certain mosque there is adequate electric lighting, and at night the lights are on continuously; but at the time of the fard prayer the imam switches off the lights and leads the congregational prayer, and even the tarawih prayer, in the dark. When asked, he said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ mostly performed the prayer in darkness. Here an objection arises: the Messenger of Allah ﷺ performed the prayer in darkness because there was no oil.

Answer

This is not a matter of the Sacred Law. There is no emphasis on putting out the light and praying in darkness. Lighting as needed and to the extent needed is necessary, and praying in it is valid without any dislikedness (karaha) and is established. Lighting without need or beyond need falls under extravagance (israf) and is forbidden.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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