Mosques & Congregation

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع مَا تَقُولُ فِي النَّوْمِ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ إِلَّا فِي الْمَسْجِدَيْنِ- مَسْجِدِ النَّبِيِّ ص وَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ قَالَ وَ كَانَ يَأْخُذُ بِيَدِي فِي بَعْضِ اللَّيْلِ فَيَنْتَحِي نَاحِيَةً ثُمَّ يَجْلِسُ فَيَتَحَدَّثُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ فَرُبَّمَا نَامَ وَ نِمْتُ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ فِي ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ إِنَّمَا يُكْرَهُ أَنْ يَنَامَ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ ال

“I once asked abu Ja‘far, Alayhi al-Salam, about sleeping in Masjid. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not an offense, except two Masjids: Masjid of the Holy prophet and Masjid al-Haram.’ He (the narrator) has said that he (the Imam) would in certain parts of the night hold my hand and move to one side where he would sit and

قُلْتُ لَهُ الرَّجُلُ يَكُونُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فِي الصَّلَاةِ فَيُرِيدُ أَنْ يَبْزُقَ فَقَالَ عَنْ يَسَارِهِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ فِي غَيْرِ صَلَاةٍ فَلَا يَبْزُقُ حِذَاءَ الْقِبْلَةِ وَ يَبْزُقُ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَ يَسَارِهِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, about a man who is in Masjid in Salah (prayer) and wants to spit away. He (the Imam) said, ‘He can do it toward his left and if he is not in Salah (prayer); he must not do so in front of al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah) but do so toward his left or right sides.’”

رَأَيْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ الثَّانِيَ ع يَتْفُلُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ فِيمَا بَيْنَ الرُّكْنِ الْيَمَانِيِّ وَ الْحَجَرِ الْأَسْوَدِ وَ لَمْ يَدْفِنْهُ.

“I once saw abu Ja‘far, al-Thaniy, Alayhi al-Salam, emit saliva in Masjid al-Haram between al- Yemaniy corner and the Blackstone and did not bury it.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي لَأَكْرَهُ الصَّلَاةَ فِي مَسَاجِدِهِمْ فَقَالَ لَا تَكْرَهْ فَمَا مِنْ مَسْجِدٍ بُنِيَ إِلَّا عَلَى قَبْرِ نَبِيٍّ أَوْ وَصِيِّ نَبِيٍّ قُتِلَ فَأَصَابَ تِلْكَ الْبُقْعَةَ رَشَّةٌ مِنْ دَمِهِ فَأَحَبَّ اللَّهُ أَنْ يُذْكَرَ فِيهَا فَأَدِّ فِيهَا الْفَرِيضَةَ وَ النَّوَافِلَ وَ اقْضِ فِيهَا مَا فَاتَكَ.

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, ‘I dislike performing Salah (prayer) in their Masjid.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘You must not dislike it; every Masjid is built on the grave of a prophet or the executor of the will of a prophet who was murdered and that site received a sprinkle of his blood and Allah loved t

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ لا تَقْرَبُوا الصَّلاةَ وَ أَنْتُمْ سُكارى‌[1] فَقَالَ سُكْرُ النَّوْمِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘You must not go near Salah (prayer) while you are drunk.’ (4:46) He (the Imam) said, ‘It is a reference to sleep.’”

لَيْسَ يُرَخَّصُ فِي النَّوْمِ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الصَّلَاةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Nothing of sleep is permissible in Salah (prayer).”’ (Ahadith 2-16 are best explained in the form of fatwa.)

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا يَرْوِي النَّاسُ أَنَّ الصَّلَاةَ فِي جَمَاعَةٍ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ صَلَاةِ الرَّجُلِ وَحْدَهُ بِخَمْسٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ صَلَاةً فَقَالَ صَدَقُوا فَقُلْتُ الرَّجُلَانِ يَكُونَانِ جَمَاعَةً فَقَالَ نَعَمْ وَ يَقُومُ الرَّجُلُ عَنْ يَمِينِ الْإِمَامِ.

“I asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), ’People say that performing Salah (prayer) in congregation is more virtuous than twenty-five Salah (prayer) performed alone. Is this true ? 5 The Imam replied, ‘What they say is right.’ I then asked, ‘Can two people be considered a congregation?’ He (a.s.), said, ‘Yes, but one should sta

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْجُهَنِيَّ أَتَى النَّبِيَّ ص فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي أَكُونُ فِي الْبَادِيَةِ وَ مَعِي أَهْلِي وَ وُلْدِي وَ غِلْمَتِي‌[2] فَأُؤَذِّنُ وَ أُقِيمُ وَ أُصَلِّي بِهِمْ أَ فَجَمَاعَةٌ نَحْنُ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ الْغِلْمَةَ يَتْبَعُونَ قَطْرَ السَّحَابِ وَ أَبْقَى أَنَا وَ أَهْلِي وَ وُلْدِي فَأُؤَذِّنُ وَ أُقِيمُ وَ أُصَلِّي بِهِمْ فَجَمَ

“I heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.), say, ‘Al-Juhaniy came to the Holy Prophet and asked, “O Messenger of Allah, I live in open land (unpopulated) with my family, children, and slaves. I say Adhan and ‘Iqamah and lead them in Salah (prayer). Are we considered a congregation?” The Messenger of Allah replied, “Yes, you are a cong

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ صَلَّى الْخَمْسَ فِي جَمَاعَةٍ فَظُنُّوا بِهِ خَيْراً.

‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “If one performs the five Salah (prayer) in congregation you should think good about him.’””

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَ مَا يَسْتَحْيِي الرَّجُلُ مِنْكُمْ أَنْ تَكُونَ لَهُ الْجَارِيَةُ فَيَبِيعَهَا فَتَقُولَ لَمْ يَكُنْ يَحْضُرُ الصَّلَاةَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Should a man among you who may sell his slave girl to someone, not feel embarrassed, if she says that her previous owner would not attend Salah (prayer) in congregation?”’

كُنْتُ جَالِساً عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ إِذْ جَاءَهُ رَجُلٌ فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي رَجُلٌ جَارُ مَسْجِدٍ لِقَوْمِي فَإِذَا أَنَا لَمْ أُصَلِّ مَعَهُمْ وَقَعُوا فِيَّ وَ قَالُوا هُوَ هَكَذَا وَ هَكَذَا فَقَالَ أَمَا لَئِنْ قُلْتَ ذَاكَ لَقَدْ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص مَنْ سَمِعَ النِّدَاءَ فَلَمْ يُجِبْهُ مِنْ غَيْرِ عِلَّةٍ فَلَا صَلَاةَ لَهُ فَخَرَجَ الرَّجُلُ فَقَا

“I once was sitting in the presence of abu Ja‘far (a.s.), when a man came to him and said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I am a man in the neighborhood of the Masjid of my people. If I do not perform Salah (prayer) with them, they turn against me and say that I am so and so. He (the Imam)

قُلْنَا لَهُ‌[1] الصَّلَوَاتُ فِي جَمَاعَةٍ فَرِيضَةٌ هِيَ فَقَالَ الصَّلَوَاتُ فَرِيضَةٌ وَ لَيْسَ الِاجْتِمَاعُ بِمَفْرُوضٍ فِي الصَّلَاةِ كُلِّهَا وَ لَكِنَّهَا سُنَّةٌ وَ مَنْ تَرَكَهَا رَغْبَةً عَنْهَا وَ عَنْ جَمَاعَةِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ غَيْرِ عِلَّةٍ فَلَا صَلَاةَ لَهُ‌[2].

“We once asked him (the Imam), ‘Is Salah (prayer) in congregation obligatory?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Salah (prayer) is obligatory but congregating for it in general is not obligatory; however, it is of the Sunnah. Whoever omits it in disregard and in disregard of the group of believers without good reason, his Salah (pr

قَالَ: لِيَكُنِ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَ الْإِمَامَ‌[3] أُولِي الْأَحْلَامِ مِنْكُمْ وَ النُّهَى فَإِنْ نَسِيَ الْإِمَامُ أَوْ تَعَايَا قَوَّمُوهُ‌[4] وَ أَفْضَلُ الصُّفُوفِ أَوَّلُهَا وَ أَفْضَلُ أَوَّلِهَا مَا دَنَا مِنَ الْإِمَامِ وَ فَضْلُ صَلَاةِ الْجَمَاعَةِ عَلَى صَلَاةِ الرَّجُلِ فَذّاً خَمْسٌ وَ عِشْرُونَ دَرَجَةً فِي الْجَنَّةِ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has sad, ‘Those of you who are just behind the Imam are people of forbearance and wisdom, so that if Imam forgets or becomes tired they can help. The excellent row is the first row and excellent in the first row is the place nearest to the Imam. The height of the excellence of Salah (prayer) in cong

قَالَ: فَضْلُ مَيَامِنِ الصُّفُوفِ عَلَى مَيَاسِرِهَا كَفَضْلِ الْجَمَاعَةِ عَلَى صَلَاةِ الْفَرْدِ.

“He (the Imam) has said, ‘The excellence of performing Salah (prayer) in the center of the rows over that in the left is like the excellence of performing Salah (prayer) in congregation over performing Salah (prayer) alone individually.’”

يُحْسَبُ لَكَ إِذَا دَخَلْتَ مَعَهُمْ وَ إِنْ لَمْ تَقْتَدِ بِهِمْ مِثْلُ مَا يُحْسَبُ لَكَ إِذَا كُنْتَ مَعَ مَنْ تَقْتَدِي بِهِ‌[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘It is counted in your favor if you join them even if you do not follow them, just like it is counted in your favor when you are with those whom you follow.’” (Ahadith 5-9 are best explained in the form of fatwa.)

يُصَلِّي مَعَهُمْ وَ يَجْعَلُهَا الْفَرِيضَةَ.

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who performs Salah (prayer) alone then finds a congregation. He (the Imam) said, ’He can perform Salah (prayer) with them and make it to be an obligatory one.”’

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أُصَلِّي ثُمَّ أَدْخُلُ الْمَسْجِدَ فَتُقَامُ الصَّلَاةُ[1] وَ قَدْ صَلَّيْتُ فَقَالَ صَلِّ مَعَهُمْ يَخْتَارُ اللَّهُ أَحَبَّهُمَا إِلَيْهِ.

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I enter Masjid and Salah (prayer) begins while I have already performed Salah (prayer). He (the Imam) said, ‘You can perform Salah (prayer) with them; Allah chooses the lovelier one of the two.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ وَ افْتَتَحَ الصَّلَاةَ فَبَيْنَا هُوَ قَائِمٌ يُصَلِّي إِذَا أَذَّنَ الْمُؤَذِّنُ وَ أَقَامَ الصَّلَاةَ قَالَ فَلْيُصَلِّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ لْيَسْتَأْنِفِ الصَّلَاةَ مَعَ الْإِمَامِ وَ لْتَكُنِ الرَّكْعَتَانِ تَطَوُّعاً.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who enters Masjid and begins Salah (prayer). While he is standing up in Salah (prayer) Adhan is said and Salah (prayer) begins. He (the Imam) said, ‘He can perform it as a two Rak‘at, then commence Salah (prayer) with the Imam and the two Rak‘at has to be optional Salah

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ تَحْضُرُ صَلَاةُ الظُّهْرِ فَلَا نَقْدِرُ أَنْ نَنْزِلَ فِي الْوَقْتِ حَتَّى يَنْزِلُوا وَ نَنْزِلَ مَعَهُمْ‌[2] فَنُصَلِّيَ ثُمَّ يَقُومُونَ فَيُسْرِعُونَ فَنَقُومُ فَنُصَلِّي الْعَصْرَ وَ نُرِيهِمْ كَأَنَّا نَرْكَعُ ثُمَّ يَنْزِلُونَ لِلْعَصْرِ فَيُقَدِّمُونَّا فَنُصَلِّي بِهِمْ فَقَالَ صَلِّ بِهِمْ لَا صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ.

“I once said to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, it is time for al-Dhuhr and we are not able to come down for Salah (prayer) in time until they come down. We come down with them and perform Salah (prayer). They quickly leave and we stand up to perform al-‘Asr and show th

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع أَنِّي أَحْضُرُ الْمَسَاجِدَ مَعَ جِيرَتِي وَ غَيْرِهِمْ فَيَأْمُرُونِّي بِالصَّلَاةِ بِهِمْ وَ قَدْ صَلَّيْتُ قَبْلَ أَنْ آتِيَهُمْ وَ رُبَّمَا صَلَّى خَلْفِي مَنْ يَقْتَدِي بِصَلَاتِي وَ الْمُسْتَضْعَفُ وَ الْجَاهِلُ وَ أَكْرَهُ أَنْ أَتَقَدَّمَ وَ قَدْ صَلَّيْتُ بِحَالِ مَنْ يُصَلِّي‌[2] بِصَلَاتِي مِمَّنْ سَمَّيْتُ لَكَ فَمُرْنِي فِي ذَلِكَ بِأَمْرِكَ أَنْتَهِي إِلَيْهِ وَ أَعْمَل

5. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn ’Isma’il who has said the following: “I once wrote to abu al-Hassan, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘I go to Masjid with my neighbors and others and they ask me to lead Salah (prayer) with them, when I have already performed Salah (prayer) before coming to

مَنْ صَلَّى مَعَهُمْ فِي الصَّفِّ الْأَوَّلِ كَانَ كَمَنْ صَلَّى خَلْفَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Whoever performs Salah (prayer) with them in the first row it is as if he has performed Salah (prayer) with the Messenger of Allah.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[3] عَنْ رَجُلٍ كَانَ يُصَلِّي فَخَرَجَ الْإِمَامُ وَ قَدْ صَلَّى الرَّجُلُ رَكْعَةً مِنْ صَلَاةٍ فَرِيضَةٍ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ إِمَاماً عَدْلًا فَلْيُصَلِّ أُخْرَى وَ يَنْصَرِفُ وَ يَجْعَلُهُمَا تَطَوُّعاً وَ لْيَدْخُلْ مَعَ الْإِمَامِ فِي صَلَاتِهِ كَمَا هُوَ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ إِمَامٌ عَدْلٌ فَلْيَبْنِ عَلَى صَلَاتِهِ كَمَا هُوَ وَ يُصَلِّي رَكْعَةً أُخْرَى مَعَهُ يَجْلِسُ قَدْرَ مَا يَقُولُ- أَشْهَدُ أ

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about a man who performs Salah (prayer) and has completed only one Rak‘at of an obligatory Salah (prayer) that the Imam arrives. He (the Imam) said, ‘If he is an Imam who possesses the quality of justice, he performs one more Rak‘at, completes and makes it an optional Salah (prayer)

مَنْ صَلَّى فِي مَنْزِلِهِ ثُمَّ أَتَى مَسْجِداً مِنْ مَسَاجِدِهِمْ فَصَلَّى مَعَهُمْ خَرَجَ بِحَسَنَاتِهِمْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If one performs Salah (prayer) in his house then comes to one of their Masjid and performs Salah (prayer) with them, he leaves with all of their good deeds.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُدْرِكُ الرَّكْعَةَ الثَّانِيَةَ مِنَ الصَّلَاةِ مَعَ الْإِمَامِ وَ هِيَ لَهُ الْأُولَى كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ إِذَا جَلَسَ الْإِمَامُ قَالَ يَتَجَافَى‌[1] وَ لَا يَتَمَكَّنُ مِنَ الْقُعُودِ فَإِذَا كَانَتِ الثَّالِثَةُ لِلْإِمَامِ وَ هِيَ لَهُ الثَّانِيَةُ فَلْيَلْبَثْ قَلِيلًا إِذَا قَامَ الْإِمَامُ بِقَدْرِ مَا يَتَشَهَّدُ ثُمَّ يَلْحَقُ بِالْإِمَامِ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَن

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who joins the congregation in the second Rak‘at which is the first for him. What is he to do when the Imam sits down? He (the Imam) said, ‘He displays readiness to stand up (by raising his knees from the ground and placing his palms on the ground), does not allow himself

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا لَمْ تُدْرِكْ تَكْبِيرَةَ الرُّكُوعِ فَلَا تَدْخُلْ فِي تِلْكَ الرَّكْعَةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If you cannot join in Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) for Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees) do not enter (congregational Salah (prayer)) in that Rak‘at.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَأْتِي الْمَسْجِدَ وَ هُمْ فِي الصَّلَاةِ وَ قَدْ سَبَقَهُ الْإِمَامُ بِرَكْعَةٍ أَوْ أَكْثَرَ فَيَعْتَلُّ الْإِمَامُ فَيَأْخُذُ بِيَدِهِ فَيَكُونُ أَدْنَى الْقَوْمِ إِلَيْهِ فَيُقَدِّمُهُ‌[1] فَقَالَ يُتِمُّ صَلَاةَ الْقَوْمِ ثُمَّ يَجْلِسُ حَتَّى إِذَا فَرَغُوا مِنَ التَّشَهُّدِ أَوْمَأَ إِلَيْهِمْ بِيَدِهِ‌[2] عَنِ الْيَمِينِ وَ الشِّمَالِ فَكَانَ الَّذِي أَوْمَأَ إِ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who comes to Masjid when they are in Salah (prayer) and the Imam is one Rak‘at ahead or more. The Imam faces a problem and holds his hand when he is the closest to him and makes him to lead. He (the Imam) said, ‘He completes Salah (prayer) of the people, then sits down u

رَأَيْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ الْحَرَامَ فِي صَلَاةِ الْعَصْرِ فَلَمَّا كَانَ دُونَ الصُّفُوفِ رَكَعُوا فَرَكَعَ وَحْدَهُ وَ سَجَدَ سَجْدَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ قَامَ فَمَضَى حَتَّى لَحِقَ الصُّفُوفَ.

“I once saw abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), entering Masjid al-Haram during al-‘Asr Salah (prayer), when he was near the rows, they performed Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees). He (the Imam) performed Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees) alone and two Sajdah (prostration). He (the Imam) then stood up and walked until he joined t

إِذَا دَخَلْتَ الْمَسْجِدَ وَ الْإِمَامُ رَاكِعٌ فَظَنَنْتَ أَنَّكَ إِنْ مَشَيْتَ إِلَيْهِ يَرْفَعُ رَأْسَهُ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ تُدْرِكَهُ فَكَبِّرْ وَ ارْكَعْ وَ إِذَا رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ فَاسْجُدْ مَكَانَكَ فَإِنْ قَامَ فَالْحَقْ بِالصَّفِّ وَ إِنْ جَلَسَ فَاجْلِسْ مَكَانَكَ فَإِذَا قَامَ فَالْحَقْ بِالصَّفِّ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When you enter a Masjid and the Imam is in Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees) and you think that if you walked all the way to join, he raises his head before you join. Say Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) perform Ruku‘, and if he raised his head, perform Sajdah (prostration)

إِنْ كَانَ نَزُّهُ مِنَ الْبَالُوعَةِ فَلَا تُصَلِّ فِيهِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ نَزُّهُ مِنْ غَيْرِ ذَلِكَ فَلَا بَأْسَ بِهِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah) side of the wall of a Masjid from which sewage, in which people urinate, leaks. He (the Imam) said, ‘If the leakage is from the sewage, do not perform Salah (prayer) there; but if the leakage is from something else, it is not an offense to perform Sal

إِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْجُمُعَةِ نَزَلَ الْمَلَائِكَةُ الْمُقَرَّبُونَ مَعَهُمْ قَرَاطِيسُ مِنْ فِضَّةٍ وَ أَقْلَامٌ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ فَيَجْلِسُونَ عَلَى أَبْوَابِ الْمَسْجِدِ عَلَى كَرَاسِيَّ مِنْ نُورٍ فَيَكْتُبُونَ النَّاسَ عَلَى مَنَازِلِهِمُ الْأَوَّلَ وَ الثَّانِيَ حَتَّى يَخْرُجَ الْإِمَامُ فَإِذَا خَرَجَ الْإِمَامُ طَوَوْا صُحُفَهُمْ وَ لَا يَهْبِطُونَ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الْأَيَّامِ إِلَّا فِي يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ يَعْن

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘On Fridays, prominent angels come down with paper of silver and pens of gold and sit on the doors of Masjids on chairs of light and write people according to their grades such as first, second . . . until the Imam (prayer leader) comes out. When he comes out they (angels) roll up their pa

تَجِبُ الْجُمُعَةُ عَلَى مَنْ كَانَ مِنْهَا عَلَى فَرْسَخَيْنِ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Friday Salah (prayer) is not obligatory upon those who are two farsakh (about six miles) away (from the location of the congregation).”’

فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَلَى النَّاسِ مِنَ الْجُمُعَةِ إِلَى الْجُمُعَةِ خَمْساً وَ ثَلَاثِينَ صَلَاةً مِنْهَا صَلَاةٌ وَاحِدَةٌ فَرَضَهَا اللَّهُ فِي جَمَاعَةٍ وَ هِيَ الْجُمُعَةُ وَ وَضَعَهَا عَنْ تِسْعَةٍ عَنِ الصَّغِيرِ وَ الْكَبِيرِ[1] وَ الْمَجْنُونِ وَ الْمُسَافِرِ وَ الْعَبْدِ وَ الْمَرْأَةِ وَ الْمَرِيضِ وَ الْأَعْمَى وَ مَنْ كَانَ عَلَى رَأْسِ فَرْسَخَيْنِ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘From one Friday to the next Friday Allah has made thirty- five Salah (prayer) obligatory. Of these one is made obligatory to be performed in congregation and that is Friday Salah (prayer). He has exempted nine kinds of people: Of such people are children, the elderly, the insane, the trav

يَكُونُ بَيْنَ الْجَمَاعَتَيْنِ ثَلَاثَةُ أَمْيَالٍ يَعْنِي لَا يَكُونُ جُمُعَةٌ إِلَّا فِيمَا بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ ثَلَاثَةِ أَمْيَالٍ‌[2] وَ لَيْسَ تَكُونُ جُمُعَةٌ إِلَّا بِخُطْبَةٍ قَالَ فَإِذَا كَانَ بَيْنَ الْجَمَاعَتَيْنِ فِي الْجُمُعَةِ ثَلَاثَةُ أَمْيَالٍ فَلَا بَأْسَ بِأَنْ يُجَمِّعَ هَؤُلَاءِ وَ يُجَمِّعَ هَؤُلَاءِ[3].

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘There must be a distance of three miles between two congregations for Friday Salah (prayer). Friday Salah (prayer) without sermon is not valid. If there is a distance of three miles between two congregation for Friday Salah (prayer), then each congregation can come together (for Friday Sa

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الصَّلَاةِ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ فَقَالَ أَمَّا مَعَ الْإِمَامِ فَرَكْعَتَانِ وَ أَمَّا مَنْ يُصَلِّي وَحْدَهُ فَهِيَ أَرْبَعُ رَكَعَاتٍ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الظُّهْرِ يَعْنِي إِذَا كَانَ إِمَامٌ يَخْطُبُ فَأَمَّا إِذَا لَمْ يَكُنْ إِمَامٌ يَخْطُبُ فَهِيَ أَرْبَعُ رَكَعَاتٍ وَ إِنْ صَلَّوْا جَمَاعَةً.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about Salah (prayer) on Friday. He (the Imam) said, ‘With Imam it is two Rak‘at but if one performs it alone, it is four Rak‘at like al-Dhuhr Salah (prayer). If there is an Imam he delivers a speech but if the Imam who delivers a speech is not there, then it is four Rak‘at even if p

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْقُنُوتُ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ فَقَالَ أَنْتَ رَسُولِي إِلَيْهِمْ فِي هَذَا إِذَا صَلَّيْتُمْ فِي جَمَاعَةٍ فَفِي الرَّكْعَةِ الْأُولَى وَ إِذَا صَلَّيْتُمْ وُحْدَاناً فَفِي الرَّكْعَةِ الثَّانِيَةِ قَبْلَ الرُّكُوعِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about Qunut (supplication after recitation) on Friday. He (the Imam) said, ‘You are my messenger to them in this matter. When performing in congregation, it is in the first Rak‘at, but when performing alone, it is in the second Rak‘at before Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees).”’

كَانَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع يُبَكِّرُ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ حِينَ تَكُونُ الشَّمْسُ قَدْرَ رُمْحٍ فَإِذَا كَانَ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ يَكُونُ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ وَ كَانَ يَقُولُ إِنَّ لِجُمَعِ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ عَلَى جُمَعِ سَائِرِ الشُّهُورِ فَضْلًا كَفَضْلِ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ عَلَى سَائِرِ الشُّهُورِ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), would go to Masjid early Friday morning after sunrise when the sun would rise by about one spear’s length (above the horizon). In the month of Ramadan he would do so earlier and say, ‘The Fridays of the month of Ramadan have extra excellence over the Fridays of other months, just as the month of Ram

كُنْتُ مَعَ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع فِي السَّفِينَةِ فِي دِجْلَةَ فَحَضَرَتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ نُصَلِّي فِي جَمَاعَةٍ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَا تُصَلِّ فِي بَطْنِ وَادٍ جَمَاعَةً[3].

“One abu al-Hassan (a.s.), and I were in a ship on the Tigris. It became time for Salah (prayer) and I said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, can we perform Salah (prayer) in congregation? He (the Imam) said, ‘No, we perform Salah (prayer) in the valley in congregation.’”

صَلَّيْتُ خَلْفَ الرِّضَا ع فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ صَلَاةَ اللَّيْلِ فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ جَعَلَ مَكَانَ‌ الضَّجْعَةِ سَجْدَةً[1].

“I performed my Salah (prayer), in Masjid al-Haram. Al-Rida’ ‘Alayhi al-Salam, led the Salah (prayer). It was Salah (prayer) of night. When he (the Imam) completed, he (the Imam) made his sleep (instead of sleeping after Salah (prayer)) into a Sajdah (prostration).”

مَرَّ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص بِرَجُلٍ يُصَلِّي الضُّحَى فِي مَسْجِدِ الْكُوفَةِ فَغَمَزَ جَنْبَهُ بِالدِّرَّةِ وَ قَالَ نَحَرْتَ صَلَاةَ الْأَوَّابِينَ نَحَرَكَ اللَّهُ قَالَ فَأَتْرُكُهَا قَالَ فَقَالَ‌ أَ رَأَيْتَ الَّذِي يَنْهى‌. عَبْداً إِذا صَلَّى‌ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ كَفَى بِإِنْكَارِ عَلِيٍّ ع نَهْياً.[4]

“’Amir al-Mu’minin once passed by a man who was performing al-Duha’ (optional Salah (prayer) at noontime before Zawal (declining of the sun toward the west at noontime) in Masjid of al-Kufah. He (’Amir al-Mu’minin) poked his side with his whip (handle) and said, ‘You cut the throat of the Salah (prayer) of repenting pe

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع رَجُلٌ يَقْضِي شَيْئاً مِنْ صَلَاتِهِ الْخَمْسِينَ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ أَوْ فِي مَسْجِدِ الرَّسُولِ ص أَوْ فِي مَسْجِدِ الْكُوفَةِ أَ تُحْسَبُ لَهُ الرَّكْعَةُ عَلَى تَضَاعُفِ مَا جَاءَ عَنْ آبَائِكَ ع فِي هَذِهِ الْمَسَاجِدِ حَتَّى يُجْزِئَهُ إِذَا كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِ عَشَرَةُ آلَافِ رَكْعَةٍ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ مِائَةَ رَكْعَةٍ أَوْ أَقَلَّ أَوْ أَكْثَرَ وَ كَيْفَ يَكُونُ حَالُهُ فَوَ

“I once, wrote to abu Ja’far (a.s.), and asked about a man who performs Qada’ (compensatory prayer for) certain Salah (prayer). It is of the fifty Rak‘at and he performs it in Masjid al-Haram or Masjid of the Messenger of Allah or Masjid of al-Kufah. Are such Salah (prayer) counted in multiples as is narrated from your

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[4] عَنْ صَلَاةِ الْقِتَالِ فَقَالَ إِذَا الْتَقَوْا فَاقْتَتَلُوا فَإِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ حِينَئِذٍ التَّكْبِيرُ وَ إِنْ كَانُوا وُقُوفاً[5] لَا يَقْدِرُونَ عَلَى الْجَمَاعَةِ فَالصَّلَاةُ إِيمَاءٌ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about Salah (prayer) during fighting. He (the Imam) said, ‘If they meet (the armies) and kill each other, then Salah (prayer) in such time is Takbir (Allah is great beyond description), but if they are standing and are not able to overpower the group, then it is in the form of gestu

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ لَيْسَ فِي يَوْمِ الْفِطْرِ وَ الْأَضْحَى أَذَانٌ وَ لَا إِقَامَةٌ أَذَانُهُمَا طُلُوعُ الشَّمْسِ إِذَا طَلَعَتْ خَرَجُوا وَ لَيْسَ قَبْلَهُمَا وَ لَا بَعْدَهُمَا صَلَاةٌ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يُصَلِّ مَعَ إِمَامٍ فِي جَمَاعَةٍ فَلَا صَلَاةَ لَهُ‌[3] وَ لَا قَضَاءَ عَلَيْهِ.

‘There Adhan or ‘Iqamah is not for the day of al-Fitr and al- Adha’. Adhan for it is sunrise. When it is sunrise, they go out. There is not any Salah (prayer) before or after it. If one does not perform Salah (prayer) with an Imam in congregation, there is not any Salah (prayer) for him and performing Qada’ (compensato

السُّنَّةُ عَلَى أَهْلِ الْأَمْصَارِ أَنْ يَبْرُزُوا مِنْ أَمْصَارِهِمْ فِي الْعِيدَيْنِ إِلَّا أَهْلَ مَكَّةَ فَإِنَّهُمْ يُصَلُّونَ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ.

‘It is of Sunnah for the people of the cities to go out in the open on both ‘Id days except people of Makkah; they perform Salah (prayer) in Masjid al-Haram.’”

رَكْعَتَانِ مِنَ السُّنَّةِ لَيْسَ تُصَلَّيَانِ فِي مَوْضِعٍ إِلَّا بِالْمَدِينَةِ قَالَ يُصَلِّي فِي مَسْجِدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فِي الْعِيدِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ إِلَى الْمُصَلَّى لَيْسَ ذَلِكَ إِلَّا بِالْمَدِينَةِ لِأَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص فَعَلَهُ.

‘There are two Rak‘at Salah (prayer) which are of Sunnah but they are not performed anywhere else except in a certain place of al-Madinah.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is performed in Masjid of the Messenger of Allah on ‘Id before going out to the place for Salah (prayer). It is not done anywhere else except al-Madinah; th

مَنْ تَطَهَّرَ ثُمَّ أَوَى إِلَى فِرَاشِهِ بَاتَ وَ فِرَاشُهُ كَمَسْجِدِهِ فَإِنْ قَامَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ تَنَاثَرَتْ عَنْهُ خَطَايَاهُ فَإِنْ قَامَ مِنْ آخِرِ اللَّيْلِ فَتَطَهَّرَ وَ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَ حَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَ أَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ وَ صَلَّى عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ص لَمْ يَسْأَلِ اللَّهَ شَيْئاً إِلَّا أَعْطَاهُ إِمَّا أَنْ يُعْطِيَهُ الَّذِي يَسْأَلُهُ بِعَيْنِهِ وَ إِمَّا أَنْ يَدَّخِرَ لَهُ مَا

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If one cleanses himself (takes Wudu’ or bath), then goes to bed for the night, his bed is considered a Masjid. If he wakes up during the night and speaks of Allah, his sins scatter away from him. One who may get up toward the end of the night, cleanse himself (take Wudu’ or bath), per

سَأَلَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ الْجَهْمِ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع لِابْنِ أَسْبَاطٍ فَقَالَ مَا تَرَى لَهُ وَ ابْنُ أَسْبَاطٍ حَاضِرٌ وَ نَحْنُ جَمِيعاً يَرْكَبُ الْبَرَّ أَوِ الْبَحْرَ إِلَى مِصْرَ فَأَخْبَرَهُ بِخَيْرِ طَرِيقِ الْبَرِّ فَقَالَ الْبَرُّ[1] وَ ائْتِ الْمَسْجِدَ فِي غَيْرِ وَقْتِ صَلَاةِ الْفَرِيضَةِ فَصَلِّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَ اسْتَخِرِ اللَّهَ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ ثُمَّ انْظُرْ أَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ يَقَعُ فِي قَلْبِكَ فَاعْمَلْ بِ

“Al-Hassan ibn Jahm asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), for ibn Asbat; ibn Asbat and we all were present. ‘Should he travel by land or by sea to Egypt? Please tell him about the best road by land.’ The Imam said, ‘By land, but go to the Masjid in a time other than that for obligatory Salah (prayer). Perform two Rak‘at Salah (p

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا تَرَى آخُذُ بَرّاً أَوْ بَحْراً فَإِنَّ طَرِيقَنَا مَخُوفٌ شَدِيدُ الْخَطَرِ فَقَالَ اخْرُجْ بَرّاً وَ لَا عَلَيْكَ‌[3] أَنْ تَأْتِيَ مَسْجِدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ تُصَلِّيَ رَكْعَتَيْنِ فِي غَيْرِ وَقْتِ فَرِيضَةٍ ثُمَّ لَتَسْتَخِيرُ اللَّهَ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ وَ مَرَّةً ثُمَّ تَنْظُرُ فَإِنْ عَزَمَ اللَّهُ لَكَ عَلَى الْبَحْرِ فَقُلِ الَّذِي قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ

“I said to abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause. Do you advise if I travel by land or by sea? Our road is very dangerous and frightening.’ The Imam said, ‘Travel by land but there is no offense, if you go to the Masjid of the Messenger of Allah; perform two Rak‘at Sal

أَنْ تَأْتِيَ حَانُوتَكَ فَابْدَأْ بِالْمَسْجِدِ فَصَلِّ فِيهِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ أَوْ أَرْبَعاً ثُمَّ قُلْ غَدَوْتُ بِحَوْلِ اللَّهِ وَ قُوَّتِهِ وَ غَدَوْتُ بِلَا حَوْلٍ مِنِّي وَ لَا قُوَّةٍ بَلْ بِحَوْلِكَ وَ قُوَّتِكَ يَا رَبِّ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي عَبْدُكَ أَلْتَمِسُ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ كَمَا أَمَرْتَنِي فَيَسِّرْ لِي ذَلِكَ وَ أَنَا خَافِضٌ فِي عَافِيَتِكَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), asked me, ‘Where is your shop in relation to the Masjid?’ I replied, ‘It is near the door of the Masjid.’ He then said, ‘When you want to go to your shop, first go to the Masjid, perform two or four Rak‘at Salah (prayer) and at the end say, “I have attended this morning by the means and power of

قَالَ لِي يَا فُلَانُ أَ مَا تَغْدُو فِي الْحَاجَةِ أَ مَا تَمُرُّ بِالْمَسْجِدِ الْأَعْظَمِ عِنْدَكُمْ بِالْكُوفَةِ قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ فَصَلِّ فِيهِ أَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ قُلْ‌[3] فِيهِنَّ غَدَوْتُ بِحَوْلِ اللَّهِ وَ قُوَّتِهِ غَدَوْتُ بِغَيْرِ حَوْلٍ مِنِّي وَ لَا قُوَّةٍ وَ لَكِنْ بِحَوْلِكَ يَا رَبِّ وَ قُوَّتِكَ أَسْأَلُكَ بَرَكَةَ هَذَا الْيَوْمِ وَ بَرَكَةَ أَهْلِهِ وَ أَسْأَلُكَ أَنْ تَرْزُقَنِي مِنْ فَضْلِكَ ح

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), asked me, ‘O so and so, do you sometimes need something? Do you visit the great Masjid near you in Kufah?’ I replied, ‘Yes, I do.’ He said, ‘Perform four Rak‘at Salah (prayer) there and say, “I have attended this morning by the means and power of Allah, not by my own means and power, but with Yo

اتَّخِذْ مَسْجِداً فِي بَيْتِكَ فَإِذَا خِفْتَ شَيْئاً فَالْبَسْ ثَوْبَيْنِ غَلِيظَيْنِ مِنْ أَغْلَظِ ثِيَابِكَ وَ صَلِّ فِيهِمَا ثُمَّ اجْثُ عَلَى رُكْبَتَيْكَ‌[2] فَاصْرُخْ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَ سَلْهُ الْجَنَّةَ وَ تَعَوَّذْ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ شَرِّ الَّذِي تَخَافُهُ وَ إِيَّاكَ أَنْ يَسْمَعَ اللَّهُ مِنْكَ كَلِمَةَ بَغْيٍ وَ إِنْ أَعْجَبَتْكَ نَفْسَكَ وَ عَشِيرَتَكَ.[3]

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said to assign a place in your home as Masjid. If something frightens you, dress in two pieces of your roughest clothes and perform Salah (prayer) with them. Thereafter rise on your knees and call for help, scream before Allah, ask Him for paradise, beg Him for protection against whatever ha