Keeping the Mosque Frequented

Question

(1) In the neighbourhood of a certain mosque four or five communities live. One community has about fifteen or sixteen houses, while the other communities have two houses or one house each. Of the large community only two or three men pray; the rest of the men of that same large community neither pray nor heed anyone’s admonition. Nor does this large community, together with those who pray, except for one or two individuals, render service (support) to the imam at the appointed time.

Answer

(1) Congregational prayer (jama‘a) is, according to the soundest view, wajib; according to some it is fard ‘ayn, according to some fard kifaya, and according to some an emphasized sunna. One who abandons the congregation without an excuse is liable to ta‘zir (discretionary punishment), and if everyone makes a habit of abandoning the congregation, then the imam (ruler)

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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