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This is a booklet which describes the Prophet's prayer and is presented to all Muslims so that they may strive hard to imitate him when perIorming their prayers. One should turn ones Iace and body towards the Qiblah (i.e. The Kabah) intending in 3 the heart to perIom the prayer whether it is an obligatory prayer or a supererogatory one. In all cases. One should not utter their intention.
This is a booklet which describes the Prophet's prayer and is presented to all Muslims so that they may strive hard to imitate him when perIorming their prayers. One should turn ones Iace and body towards the Qiblah (i.e. The Kabah) intending in 3 the heart to perIom the prayer whether it is an obligatory prayer or a supererogatory one. In all cases. One should not utter their intention.
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This is a booklet which describes the Prophet's prayer and is presented to all Muslims so that they may strive hard to imitate him when perIorming their prayers. One should turn ones Iace and body towards the Qiblah (i.e. The Kabah) intending in 3 the heart to perIom the prayer whether it is an obligatory prayer or a supererogatory one. In all cases. One should not utter their intention.
Copyright:
Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Formati disponibili
Scarica in formato PDF, TXT o leggi online su Scribd
Congregational Praver Prepared By: Shavkh 'Abdul-'Azeez ibn Baaz 1ranslated bv a team of specialists under the supervision of the publisher Daar al-Watan Publishing House 2 All praise is due to Allaah Alone; may He send salutations and exalt the mention oI the seal oI all Prophets and Messengers. our Prophet Muhammad. his Iamily and all his companions. This is a brieI booklet which describes the Prophet`s prayer and is presented to all Muslims so that they may strive hard to imitate him when per- Iorming their Prayers. Ior he () said: "Perform vour Pravers as vou have seen me performing them." (Bukhaari) The Iollowing is a description oI the Prophet's prayer: First. one should perIorm a complete and proper ablution. as commanded by Allaah; He says that which means: "O vou who believe! When vou intend to perform praver, wash vour faces and vour forearms up to the elbows, wipe (wet hands over) vour heads, and (wash) vour feet up to the ankles." (Al-Maaidah.6) The Prophet () said: "Praver without ablution is invalid." (Muslim) He () also said when teaching a man who improperly perIormed his prayer: "Perform ablution properlv and completelv before vou stand for praver." Then. one should turn ones Iace and body to- wards the Qiblah (i.e.. the Kabah) intending in 3 the heart to perIorm the prayer which one wishes to perIorm. whether it is an obligatory prayer or a supererogatory one. In all cases. one should not utter their intention. Ior it was not practiced by the Prophet () nor was it the practice oI his companions. may Allaah be pleased with them. to utter their intention Ior prayers. One should place an obiect in Iront oI themselves to obstruct people Irom passing in Iront oI them during their prayers. Directing oneselI towards the Qiblah is a precondition Ior every prayer. except in excep- tional situations. whether the person is leading the prayer. in the congregation. or praying alone. One should utter the initial Allaahu Akbar (Al- laah is the Greatest) and look downwards to the place oI prostration. One should raise one's hands parallel to his shoulders or earlobes. while uttering this Al- laahu Akbar. Place one's hands on the chest. having the right hand over the leIt hand and leIt wrist. as in the Hadeeth narrated by Waail ibn Hiir and Halb At-Taai. may Allaah be pleased with them. de- scribing the prophet`s prayer. It is advisable to recite any opening supplication such as the one narrated by Abu Huravrah (): 4 "Allaahumma baa'id bavni wa bavna khataavava kamaa baa'atta bavna al-mashriqi wa al-maghrib, Allaahumma naqqini min khataavava kamaa vanaqqath-thawbu al- abvadhu minad-danas, Allaahumma ighsilni min khataavaava bil-maa'i wath-thalji wal- barad (O Allaah' Distance me from mv sins as You have distanced the east from the west, O Al- laah' Cleanse me of mv sins as a white garment is cleansed from dirt. O Allaah' Wash off mv sins with water. snow and hail)." (Bukhaari) One may say instead: "Subhaanaka Allaa- humma wa bihamdika wa tabarakasmuk wa ta'aalaa jad-duk wa laa ilaaha ghavruk (How perfect You are O Allaah' Blessed be Your name. loftv is Your position and none has the right to be worshipped except You)," or any other sup- plication Irom the Sunnah oI the Prophet (); and it is better to alternate in reciting diIIerent supplications to be closer to the Sunnah. AIter that. one should say: "A'oothu billaahi mina ash-Shavtaani ar-Rajeem (I seek the protection of Allaah against the accursed Satan)." Then say: "Bismillaah ar-Rahmaan ar-Raheem (In the name of Allaah the Most Merciful the Most Gracious)," then recite the Faatihah. because 5 the Prophet () said: "Pravers without reciting the Faatihah are invalid." One should loudly say Aameen aIter Iinishing their recitation oI the Faatihah iI the prayer is to be said loudly. and whisper it in the silent prayers. then recite verses Irom medium sized chapters oI the Quraan in the Dhuhr (noon). `Asr (aIternoon). and `Ishaa (night) prayers. As Ior the Fair (dawn) prayer. then one is recom- mended to recite Irom a long chapter oI the Quraan. One may alternate in Maghrib (sunset prayer) between the long chapters and the mid- sized chapters. It is recommended that the dura- tion Ior the Asr prayer is shorter than that oI D- huhr. Bow in Rukoo raising your hands parallel to the shoulders or earlobes while saying Allaahu Ak- bar. levelling your head and back and placing your hands with the Iingers spread on your knees. Whilst bowing with tranquillity. one should say: "Subhaana rabbival :adheem (Praise is to our Lord. the All-Mightv)," three times at least. It is advisable to say in addition while bowing: "Subhaanaka Allaahumma rab- bana wa bihamdika Allaahumma ighfirli (Ex- alted be You O Allaah. Our Lord. and praise and thanks be to You, O Allah. forgive me mv sins)." 6 One should raise his head Irom bowing while raising the hands parallel to the shoulders or ear- lobes and say. whether he is leading the prayer or praying alone: "Sami'a Allaahu liman Hami- dah (Allaah listens to him who thanks Him)." While resuming the standing position. one should say: "Rabbanaa walaka al-Hamd, mil'a as-Samaawaati wa mil'a al-Ardh, wa maa bavnahumaa, wa mil'a maa shi'ta min shav'in ba'd (Our Lord. for You is all praise. an abun- dant beautiful and blessed praise. The heavens. the earth. and all between them are abundant with Your praise)." One may also add: "Ahl-ath- thanaa'i wal-majd; ahaqqu maa qaala-l'abd, wa kullunaa laka 'abd, Allaahumma laa maani'a limaa a'tavt wa laa mu'tiva limaa mana't wa laa vanfa'u dhal-jaddi minkal-jadd (O Possessor of Praise and Maiestv' The truest thing a slave has said (of You) and we are all Your slaves. O Allaah' None can prevent what You have willed to bestow and none can bestow what You willed to prevent. and no wealth or maiestv can benefit anvone as from You is all maiestv), and iI one is praying behind the Imaam. they should say when rising up: "Our Lord, for You is all the praise." It is recom- mended Ior everybody to place their hands on 7 their chests aIter Rukoo to coincide with the Sunnah. Prostrate saying Allaahu Akbar. Ones knees should touch the ground beIore their hands. but iI one cannot. then he may place his hands Iirst. Ones Iingers (close together) and toes should be pointed towards the Qiblah and the hands should be stretched. In prostration. the worshipper should allow only these seven body parts to touch the ground: The Iorehead and nose (which count as one body part Ior this purpose). both hands. both knees and the base oI the toes oI both Ieet. One should then say: "Subhaana Rab- bival A'laa (Glorified is mv Lord. the Most high)." at least three times. It is also recom- mended to say: "Subhaanaka Allaahumma Rabbanaa wa Bihamdika Allaahumma ighfirli (Exalted be You O Allaah. Our Lord. and praise and thanks be to You, O Allah. forgive me mv sins)." It is recommended to exert extra eIIort in suppli- cations at this time. Ior the Prophet () said: "1he closest the slave is to his lord is while he is prostrating." (Muslim) One should then ask their Lord Ior prosperity both in this worldly liIe and in the HereaIter Ior themselves and other Muslims in both obligatory and supererogatory 8 prayers. While prostrating. one should neither bring their upper-arms close to their sides. place their abdomen too close to their thighs. nor their thighs too close to their legs. Ones Iorearms |and elbows| should be raised up Irom the ground. Ior the Prophet () said: "Prostrate properlv, and do not stretch vour forearms on the ground as dogs do." (Bukhaari) One should raise their head Irom prostration say- ing Allaahu Akbar and lay the |outside oI the| leIt Ioot Ilat on the ground |pointing towards the right| and sit on it. keeping the right Ioot upright |with the base oI the toes Iirm on the ground. pointing towards the Qiblah| and the hands on the thighs and knees. He should then say: "Al- laahumma ighfirli, warhamni, wahdini, warzu- qni, wajburni, wa'aafini (O Allaah' Forgive me. have mercv upon me. guide me. grant me suste- nance. console me. and grant me good health)." One should be tranquil during this pause. until each oI his ioints settle in their original position (i.e.. beIore prostration). Then. he should pros- trate again saying Allaahu Akbar and repeat during the second prostration what he did in the Iirst. One should raise his head Irom prostration while saying Allaahu Akbar taking a pause similar to 9 the pause between the two prostrations; this is called the sitting oI rest`. It is recommended to perIorm this pause. but there is no harm iI one does not do this; there are no special supplica- tions to be said during this pause. One should then rise up and stand taking support on his knees. but iI he cannot. then one may take support on the ground using both hands. One should then recite the Faatihah and some other portions Irom the Quraan and do as one did in the Iirst Rak`ah. Those who pray behind the Imaam should not race with him |by preceding him| in the actions oI prayer but should move aI- ter the Imaam moves. or when they hear the last word which the Imaam says. Ior the Prophet () warned against racing or even coinciding with him saying: "1he Imaam is to be followed pre- ciselv, so do not differ from his actions; if he savs 'Allaahu Akbar', sav the same after him. If he bows down, bow down after him. If he savs 'Sami` Allaahu liman hamidah', sav 'Rabbanaa wa lakal-hamd'; and if he prostrates, prostrate after him." (Bukhaari & Muslim) II the prayer consists oI two Rak`ah (i.e.. if it is the Fair. Eed. |supererogatory.| or Jumu`ah prayer). one should sit aIter the second prostra- tion. with the right Ioot upright. sitting on the leIt 10 Ioot laid down. placing the right hand on the right thigh |as he did in the sitting between the two prostrations|; all the Iingers should be closed in a Iist except the index Iinger which is to be used to point while supplicating as a sign oI ones Monotheistic belieI. The leIt hand is to be placed on ones leIt thigh and knee. II one keeps both the small and ring Iinger closed. while rounding the thumb and middle Iinger into the shape oI a ring. and uses the index Iinger to point whilst suppli- cating then this is acceptable too. Ior it has been reported that the Prophet () had practiced both ways. thus. it is advisable Ior one to alternate be- tween the two. One should then recite the Tashahhud while sit- ting. which is: "At-tahivaatu lillaahi was- salawaatu wattavvibaat, assalaamu :alavka av- vuhannabivvu wa rahmat-ullaahi wa bara- kaatuh. Assalaamu :alavnaa wa :alaa :ibaadil- laahi As-Saaliheen; Ash-hadu allaa ilaaha illallaahu wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan :abduhu wa rasooluh. Allaahumma salli :alaa Muhammad wa :alaa aali Muhammad, kamaa sallavata :alaa Ibraaheem wa aali Ibraaheem, Innaka Hameedun Majeed. Wa baarik :alaa Muhammad wa :alaa aali Muhammad kamaa baarakta :alaa Ibraaheem wa aali Ibraaheem. 11 Innaka Hameedun Majeed (Glorification is for Allaah. all acts of worship and good deeds are from Him. Mav Allaah send salutations. mercv and blessings upon the Prophet. Peace be upon us and on all right eous slaves of Allaah. I testifv that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah. and I testifv that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. O Allaah' Exalt the mention of Muhammad and his familv iust as You exalted the mention of Ibraaheem and his familv. Jerilv. You are full of Praise and Maiestv. O Allaah. send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the familv of Muhammad. iust as You sent blessings upon Ibraaheem and upon the familv of Ibraa- heem. verilv. You are full of Praise and Mai- estv)." Then say: "Allahumma inni a'oothu bika min :adhaabi jahaanam, wa min :adhaabil qabr, wa min fitnatil mahvaa wal mamaat, wa min sharril Maseehid Dajjaal (O Allaah' I take refuge in You from the punishment of Hell. the torment of the grave. the tribulations of life and death. and the evil affliction of the Antichrist." Then one may ask Allaah Ior prosperity in this liIe and the HereaIter and supplicate to Him Ior the good oI his parents and other Muslims. This is to be done during any obligatory or supere- rogatory prayers. as the Prophet () said when he taught ibn Masood () how to recite the Ta- 12 shahhud: "One mav choose anv supplication he wishes to invoke Allaah." Then one concludes the prayer by turning his Iace to the right and then to the leIt. saying: "As-Salaamu :Alavkum wa Rahmatullaah (Salutations and mercv of Al- laah be upon vou)," aIter each turn. II it was a prayer which consists oI three Rak`ah (Maghrib). or Iour Rak`ah (Dhuhr. Asr or `Ishaa); one should stand up aIter reciting the Tashahhud and raise their hands parallel to their shoulders saying Allaahu Akbar. One should then place his hands over his chest as it has been explained earlier and recite only the Faatihah. There is no harm in adding some other portions oI the Quraan to this once in a while. during the third or Iourth Rak`ah oI Dhuhr prayer. Ior this was reported in the Sunnah as in the narration oI Abu Saeed (). One may also stand |Ior the third rak`ah| without reciting the second part oI the Tashahhud |which begins with 'Allahumma salli alaa Muhammad`|. as it is something which is only recommended and not obligatory in the Iirst Tashahhud. AIter the third Rak`ah oI Maghrib prayer and the Iourth Rak`ah oI Dhuhr. Asr and Ishaa prayers. one recites the Iull Tashahhud and takes reIuge in Allaah Irom the Iour things |the punishment 13 oI Hell. the torment oI the grave. the tribulations oI liIe and death. and the evil aIIliction oI the Antichrist|. He should exert extra eIIort in sup- plication |aIter that|. such as the supplication oI the Prophet (): "Rabbanaa aatinaa fid- Dunvaa hasanah, wa fil aakhirati hasanah, wa qinaa :adhaaba an-Aaar (Our Lord' Give us in this world (that which is) good and in the Here- after (that which is) good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire)." Anas () said: 'The Prophet () used to sav this supplication in most of his pravers.` One should sit having his right Ioot upright |as the other sittings|. but |this time| he should rest upon on |the leIt side oI| his leIt thigh. placing his leIt Ioot under the right leg |which is propped up as in the other sittings|. Then the prayer should be concluded by saying: "As-Salamu alavkum wa Rahmatullaah (Salu- tations and mercv and Allaah are upon vou)," while turning Iirst to the right and then while turning to the leIt. AIter Iinishing the prayers. it is recommended to ask Ior Allaah's Iorgiveness thrice |by saying "astaghfirullah"| and then say. "Allahumma anta as-Salaam wa minka as-Salaam, tabaarakta vaa Dhal-1alaali wal-Ikraam (O Al- laah. You are free from all defects. and from You 14 is all peace. You are blessed. O Possessor of maiestv and Honour)." Then say: "Laa ilaaha illa Allahu wahdahu laa shareeka lah, lahul- Mulku wa lahul-Hamd, wa Huwa :alaa kulli shav'in Qadeer. Laa hawla wa laa quwwata ilaa billaah. Allahumma laa maani'a limaa a'tavt, wa laa mu'tiva lima mana't, wa laa vanfa'u dhal-jaddi minkal-jadd. Laa ilaaha illallaah, wa laa na'budi ilaa ivvaa, lahun- ni'matu wa lahul-fadl, wa lahuth-thanaa' ul- hasan, laa ilaaha illa Allah, mukhliseena la- hud-deena wa law karihal-kaafiroon. (None has the right to be worshipped except Allaah alone. without partner. To Him belong sovereigntv and praise. and He is over all things omnipotent. There is neither might nor power except with Al- laah. None can prevent what You have willed to bestow and none can bestow what You have willed to prevent. and no wealth or maiestv can benefit anvone. as from You is all wealth and maiestv. None has the right to be worshipped ex- cept Allaah. and we worship none except Him. For Him is all favours. grace. and glorious praise. None has the right to be worshipped ex- cept Allaah and we are sincere in faith and devo- tion to Him. although the disbelievers detest this)." 15 Exalt Allaah thirty-three times by saying "Sub- hana Allaah"; Praise Him thirty-three times by saying ~Al-Hamdulillaah", and also say ~Al- laahu Akbar" thirty-three times. Then. complete the hundredth by saying once: "Laa ilaaha illal- laahu wahdahu laa shareeka lah, lahul-Mulk wa lahul-Hamd, wa huwa :alaa kulli shav'in Qadeer (None has the right to be worshipped ex- cept Allaah alone. without partner. To Him be- long sovereigntv and praise. and He is over all things omnipotent)." Recite the verse oI the throne (Aavatul-Kursi). then the Surahs Al-Ikhlaas. Al-Falaq. and An- Naas |aIter each prayer|. It is recommended to recite these three Surahs thrice aIter the Fair and the Maghrib prayer. as the Prophet () did. It is also recommended to recite ten times aIter these two prayers: "Laa ilaaha illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lah, lahul-Mulk wa lahul-Hamd, vuvhi wa vumeet, wa huwa :alaa kulli shav'in Qadeer (None has the right to be worshipped ex- cept Allaah alone. without partner. To Him be- long sovereigntv and praise. He gives life and causes death. and He is over all things omnipo- tent)." II one was the Imaam leading the prayer. he should turn towards the congregation and Iace 16 them aIter asking Allaah`s Iorgiveness three times and saying : "Allahumma anta as-Salaam wa minka as-Salaam, tabaarakta vaa Dhal- 1alaali wal-Ikraam." Then he should recite all the above mentioned supplications. It is recommended Ior every Muslim (male or Iemale) to pray a total oI twelve Rak`ah oI su- pererogatory prayers daily: Four Rak`ah beIore Dhuhr prayer and two aIter it; two aIter the Maghrib prayer; two aIter the `Ishaa prayer and two beIore the Fair prayer. These are the supere- rogatory prayers which the Prophet () always prayed when he was not travelling. During his travels. he would only oIIer the two supereroga- tory Rak`ah beIore the Fair prayer in addition to the Witr (odd numbered) prayer (aIter the `Ishaa prayer). We have a good example in him () to Iollow. as Allaah says what means: "Indeed in the Messenger of Allaah (Muhammad ) vou have a good example to follow for him who hopes for (the Meeting with) Allaah and the Last Dav, and remembers Allaah much." (Al- Ahzaab.21) The Prophet () said: "Perform vour Pravers as vou have seen me performing them." It is best to perIorm these twelve at home. but there is no harm in perIorming them in the 17 mosque. Ior the Prophet () said: "1he best of the Pravers are those which are performed in ones home, except for the obligatorv pravers (which should be performed inside the mosque)." (Bukhaari) The IulIilment oI these supererogatory prayers is a means Ior attaining Paradise. Umm Habeebah () narrated that the Prophet () said: "Allaah will build a house in Paradise for anv Muslim who pravs twelve supererogatorv Rak`ah everv dav (and night)." (Muslim) In addition. it is also recommended to pray Iour supererogatory Rak`ah beIore the Asr prayer. two beIore the Maghrib prayer and two beIore the `Ishaa prayer. Ior the Prophet () said: "Mav Allaah be merciful to the one who per- forms four Rak`ah before :Asr." (Ahmad. Abu Daawood. Tirmithi & Ibn Khuzavmah) He () also said: "Prav two Rak`ah between each Adhaan (the call for praver) and Iqaamah (the call to start the praver)," and aIter saying this three times. he said: ".for the one who wishes to prav it." (Bukhaari) It is also recommended to pray Iour supereroga- tory Rak`ah beIore and aIter Dhuhr because the Prophet () said as narrated by Umm Habeebah (): "Allaah will make the Fire forbidden for 18 he who performs four Rak`ah before and after 1huhr." (Ahmad) 1he Obligation of Congregational Praver for Men I was inIormed that many men take lightly the issue oI perIorming their obligatory prayer with the congregation. giving the excuse that they Iollow those scholars who adopt a lenient opinion regarding this issue. ThereIore. it is incumbent upon me to clariIy the great danger oI this. Ior a Muslim should not take lightly a matter which Allaah has given great importance to in His Book. and the Prophet () in his Sunnah. Allaah Irequently addressed the issue oI the es- tablishment oI prayers in His Book and emphasized its importance. He commanded Muslims to maintain them and perIorm them in congregation. and in- Iormed us that taking them lightly is a characteristic oI the hypocrites. Allaah says that which means: "Cuard strictlv (five obligatorv) the pravers espe- ciallv the middle (i.e. the best praver `Asr). And stand before Allaah with obedience [and do not 19 speak to others during the praversj." (Al- Baqarah.238) Furthermore. how could it possibly be known iI someone maintains the perIormance oI their prayers iI they do not perIorm it with the congregation? Al- laah says that which means: "And be steadfast in praver; practice regular charitv; and bow down vour heads with those who bow down (during praver)." (Al-Baqarah.43) This verse is an evidence obligating the perIormance oI prayer in congrega- tion. II the obiective behind the verse was only to command people to perIorm their prayers without the congregation. then the verse would not have con- cluded by saying at the end oI the verse that which means: ".and bow down vour heads with those who bow down (during praver)," (Al Baqarah.43) Ior Allaah commanded the establishment oI prayer at the beginning oI that very verse. Allaah also says that which means: "When vou (Muhammad ) are among them, and lead them in praver, let one group of them stand in praver with vou taking their arms with them, when thev finish their prostration let them take their positions in the rear and let the other partv come up which has not praved, and let them prav with vou taking precau- tion." (An-Nisaa.102) II Allaah commanded the perIormance oI congregational prayer during the 20 time oI war. then how much more so is it obligatory during times oI peace? II anyone were to be excused then surely it would be those in the Iront line ready to combat the enemy and are endangered by their attack? But since they were not allowed to pray alone. it becomes clear that Muslim men are obliged to perIorm prayer with the congregation without ex- ception. The Prophet () warned against neglecting the congregational prayer saying: "I swear bv Him in Whose hand is mv soul, I was about to order that firewood be gathered, then order that the Adhaan for praver be made, order a man to lead people in praver, then go to those men who do not attend the congregation and burn their houses." (Bukhaari & Muslim) Ibn Masood () said: 'During our time. onlv a sick person or hvpocrite whose hvpocrisv was well known would miss the congregational pravers. I saw manv in stances of a man brought to attend praver while being supported bv two men until he was placed in the line of worshipers.` (Muslim) Ibn Masood () said: 'Let he who would like to meet Allaah tomorrow (the Dav of Resurrection) as a Muslim maintain performing the obligatorv pravers where thev are proclaimed (i.e.. inside the mosque). for indeed Allah legislated for vour 21 Prophet () traditions of guidance. and indeed Pravers are from the traditions that leads to guid- ance. If vou prav like those who abandon the con- gregation in their homes do. then vou would aban- don the wav of vour Prophet (). and if vou aban- don the wav of vour Prophet () vou will be mis- guided. Whenever a man performs ablution prop- erlv. then he heads towards anv mosque. Allaah will grant one reward for each step he takes. elevate him a rank higher. and eradicate one of his sins. During our time. onlv a hvpocrite whose hvpocrisv was well known would miss the congregational pravers. and I saw manv instances of a man brought to attend praver while being supported bv two men until he was placed in the line of worshipers. Each of vou has a place for praver in his home (to offer supere- rogatorv pravers. and for women).` (Muslim) Also. the Prophet () did not permit a blind man to perIorm prayer in his home. The narration relates that a blind man once came to the Prophet () seek- ing his concession to be absent Irom the congrega- tional prayer. The Prophet () Iirst gave him a con- cession. but iust as the man was about to leave. the Prophet () called him and asked: "Do vou hear the Adhaan?" The man replied: "Yes.` So the Prophet () said: "1hen respond (bv coming to praver)." (Muslim) 22 There are many other narrations which conIirm the obligation oI perIorming prayers with the con- gregation in the house oI Allaah where the Adhaan is proclaimed. It is mandatory upon a Muslim to pay attention to this issue and advise his Iamily. neighbours and all other Muslims with it as a way oI adhering to the command oI Allaah and His Mes- senger ().as a way oI reIraining Irom what the Messenger () warned against. and as a way to clear oneselI Irom one oI the most dispraised characteris- tics oI the hypocrites - laziness in perIorming the congregational prayer. Allaah says that which means: "1he Hvpocrites think thev are fooling Allaah but He is fooling them: when thev stand up to prav, thev stand with laziness. (1hev) swav between this and that, be- longing neither to these nor to those; and he whom Allaah sends astrav, vou will not find for him a wav (to the truth - Islaam)." (An-Nisaa.142-143) Abandoning prayer with the congregation is one oI the main reasons behind one totally abandoning the perIormance oI prayer. and it is known that total abandonment oI prayer is misguidance and an act oI disbelieI which takes a person out oI the Iold oI Is- laam. Jaabir () narrated that the Prophet () said: "Between a person and him becoming a disbeliever is the abandonment of praver," (Muslim) He also 23 said: "1he pledge between us and them is the (es- tablishment of) praver, so whosoever abandons it becomes a disbeliever." There are many verses Irom the Quraan and narrations Irom the Sunnahindica t- ing the greatness oI the congregational prayer and its position. as well as warning against abandoning it. It is mandatory upon every Muslim to maintain the establishment oI prayer on time as Allaah legis- lated. to perIorm it with the congregation as an act oI obedience to Allaah and His Messenger (). and to protect himselI Irom the wrath oI Allaah. When the truth prevails and its evidences be- come obvious. it is not permissible Ior anyone to stray Irom it to the opinion oI any scholar or person. due to the saying oI Allaah which means: "O vou who believe! Obev Allaah and obev the Messenger (Muhammad ), and those of vou (Muslims) who are in authoritv. (And) if vou differ in anvthing amongst vourselves, refer it to Allaah and His Mes- senger, if vou believe in Allaah and in the Last Dav. 1hat is better and more suitable for final de- termination." (An-Naas.59) Allaah also says that which means: "Let those who differ from his (i.e., the Prophet's ) command beware, lest some trial befall them, or a painful torment afflict them." (An-Noor. 63) 24 The beneIits oI the congregational prayer are very clear. and among the most obvious are that people meet and get to know one another. help each other to enioin good and Iorbid evil. encourage those who neglect its perIormance at the correct times. teach the illiterate religious knowledge. enrage the hypocrites. express the rituals oI Islaam between people. call people to the religion oI Allaah. as well as many other beneIits.