Praying an Optional Prayer to Lead the People in an Obligatory Prayer

[ This is Part Three of the article, Splitting into Groups and Parties, by Shaykh Muhammad Naasir ad-Deen al-Albaanee (d.1420) – may Allaah have Mercy on him.  Here, the shaykh elaborates on a specific example of classic differing. ]

…From here let us move on to refer to some of the issues that have been the source of differing for a long time, issues related to some fiqh rulings between the Hanafees and Shaafi’ees. One side would bring a proof regarding something that happened in the time of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam). The other side would refute that, saying that there is no clear indication in the report that what happened was made known to the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam), it does not say that he was informed about it and approved of it. This reply that some of the people of the math-habs gave is refuted by that which has preceded in our discussion.

Let me give you an example or two. As found in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree, Mu’aath ibn Jabal (may Allaah be pleased with him) used to pray the last prayer (of the day), the ‘Eshaa’ prayer, behind the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) in his masjid. Then he used to go to his tribe and lead them in ‘Eshaa’ prayer as well.

One of the narrators of the hadeeth, Jaabir ibn ‘Abdillaah (may Allaah be pleased with him), said, “It was an optional prayer for him, and it was their obligatory prayer.” Some of the early imaams used this as a proof to say that it is permissible for a person to pray his obligatory prayer behind someone praying an optional prayer. So some of the people of the math-habs used to refute this, saying that there is no proof in this, as there is no mention that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) knew that Mu’aath was returning to his people to pray with them after praying with him – an optional prayer for him, and their obligatory prayer. I think you all know the answer now.

For if we say that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) truly did not know that Mu’aath was repeating this prayer optionally, then our Lord, the Mighty and Majestic, as I have said previously, knows the secret and hidden affairs. So if this action of Mu’aath was something not legislated, then the ruling would have come down from the Heavens clarifying that this is something not from the Sharee’ah

Translated by: Moosaa Richardson

Source: Recording no. 602 of the Silsilah al-Hudaa wan-Noor series.

[ Review Part 2 ] – [ Read Part 4 ]

8 thoughts on “Praying an Optional Prayer to Lead the People in an Obligatory Prayer

  1. Asalam aleikum brother Moosa
    I wanted to ask you a question which is this,you are about to pray Ish’a prayer and the Muadhin has started iqaama but you just realized that you didn’t pray the offer the Maghreeb salaah.what should one do and help me with references or sources to read from inshaa Allah.
    asalam aleikum

  2. Assalaamu ‘aleykum wa rahmatullaah
    If one delays all prayer till the night and pray all together one by one, does that count that they have abonden the prayer? The same thing with the person who prays salah that they didn’t pray yesterday for being lazy etc. And the sane thing with those people praying salah that they didn’t pray some days ago. Are those kind of people doing major kuffr or minor kufr.

    • wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh.

      To intentionally miss one prayer, willfully allowing the time to elapse without praying it, awake and aware of the time, is major disbelief according to some scholars, due to the generality of the authentic hadeeth, which means: “The Covenant that is between us and them is the prayer, whoever abandons it has surely disbelieved.” (At-Tirmithee, Ibn Maajah) And due to the specific proof in his statement (that means): “Whoever did not pray ‘Asr Prayer his deeds are null and void.” (al-Bukhaaree) And Allaah knows best.

  3. Na’am i understand thats a major sin and that it nullifies the actions. Lets say the person who is married doing those kind of action what is the ruling for that person. Does the marriage has to be renewd with new mahr as shaykh Ibn Baz says after have made tawbah since abandoning the prayer nullifies actions.

  4. Sorry but i can’t read or understand arabic but i’ve read it in my language. I really didn’t understand it. So is this the case and is the same with the person who prays sometimes etc? Just to know if this is related to the fatwa shaykh ibn Baz fatwa, evidence?

    • The person who prays sometimes, meaning he doesn’t pray sometimes, is not a Muslim according to some of the scholars, like Shaykh Ibn Baaz. According to this position, all the rulings related to apostasy apply – marriages are invalid, inheritance is cut off, burial is not allowed in a Muslim graveyards, etc. Some of the key evidence has been mentioned in my last reply.

  5. السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

    What age should boys stop praying behind women (eg. his older sisters and mother)? Especially if he the boy is not yet capable of leading the prayer
    May Allaah reward you for the upkeep of this site.

    بارك الله فيكم

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