Prayer Times

Question

Is it permissible to set a fixed time for congregational prayer (jamā‘ah) for the five daily prayers? For example, in some place the time of Ẓuhr begins before 12:00 and lasts until after 4:00, yet different mosques hold the congregation at 12:30, 1:00, or 1:30. The fixed time is treated almost as obligatory, and if an imām does not adhere to it, he may be removed. Zayd claims that fixing such a time and considering it binding is unlawful and ḥarām, and that joining such a congregation is also unlawful.

Answer

Any prayer performed within its legislated time is valid. However, fixing a specific time for the congregation for the convenience of all worshippers is not ḥarām. Without a set time, some would arrive early and wait long, while others would arrive late and miss the congregation.

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