Multiple Jamaats in a Musallah

There is a Musallah that allocates two official Jamaats for Zuhr and Asr. Reason being that they are catering for the different break times of the Musallees since the Musallah is in the CBD. Despite having two Jamaats, there are many that still come in at different times and perform their own Jamaat with a few people. This literally leads to several other “unofficial” Jamaats taking place.

Q1. Is the above scenario in order? If not, should the second Jamaat be performed at a different place?

A1. It should be borne in mind that a Musallah does not have the same ruling of a Masjid. Hence, the same Ahkaam (regulations) that apply to a Masjid will not apply to a Musallah. For example, I’tikaaf cannot take place in a Musallah; one will not read the Masnoon Dua for entering the Masjid when entering a Musallah etc.

In principle, it will be permissible to have more than one Jamaat taking place in a Musallah as the Ahkaam (regulations) of a Masjid will not apply to a Musallah as explained above. However, it is best that the trustees discourage such a practice as this will lead to importance of the first Jamaat being lost, and as a result, no one will give the due importance to performing Salaah with the first Jamaat because of multiple Jamaats being made.

وأما مسجد البيت وهو الموضع الذي عينه صاحب البيت للصلاة فلا بأس بذلك لأنه ليس بمسجد حقيقة فلا يكون له حكم المسجد.(بدائع الصنائع 5/126)

(فوق بيت فيه مسجد) أعد للصلاة وإن ندب اتخاذه لأمره عليه الصلاة والسلام بذلك لأنه ليس مسجدًا حقيقة واختلف في مصلى العيد والجنازة قال في (النهاية): والمختار للفتوى أنه مسجد في حق جواز الاقتداء وإن انفصلت الصفوف رفقًا بالناس وفيما عدا ذلك ليس حكم المسجد (النهر الفائق 1/288)

أنا أمرنا بتكثير الجماعة وفي تكرار الجماعة في مسجد واحد تقليلها لأن الناس إذا عرفوا أنهم تفوتهم الجماعة يعجلون للحضور فتكثر الجماعة وإذا علموا أنه لا تفوتهم يؤخرون فيؤدي إلى تقليل الجماعات وبهذا فارق المسجد الذي على قارعة الطريق لأنه ليس له قوم معلومون فكل من حضر يصلي فيه فإعادة الجماعة فيه مرة بعد مرة لا تؤدي إلى تقليل الجماعات (المبسوط للسرخسي 1/135)

Q2. Is there is no Karaahat due to it being a Musallah?

A2. Yes, due to it being a Musallah.

Q3. If there is Karaahat, is it due to the characteristics of a Masjid being found in thus Musallah?

A3. As explained above.

Q4. If there is a Shari’ dictate to stop the hosting  two Jamaats and have just one, how will one reply to a person who says, “You are depriving people of performing Salaah in Jamaat.”

A4. As explained above. 

ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani

Date: 24 Shawwaal 1446 / 23 April 2025

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb