Question
If a person lives 7.4 miles from the Masjid (13-minute drive), and it is difficult for him to pray his five daily prayers with the Masjid congregation due to the distance, would he be excused from going to the Masjid?
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer
If a person lives far from the Masjid and attending the Masjid will be difficult for him due to the distance, he will be excused from going to the Masjid to pray with the *jamat*. In such circumstances, we advise that your community build a Masjid close by to establish the prayer with *jamat *and provide other essential Islamic services to fulfill the community’s needs. As Muslims, the Masjid plays a critical role in our lives. By being attached to the Masjid, a believer’s Iman remains strong.
Despite living far from the Masjid, you do not have to abandon prayer in the Masjid altogether. Instead, you can remain connected to the Masjid by attending those prayers that are feasible for you, e.g., Fajr and Isha. Also, for those prayers that you cannot participate in in the Masjid, we suggest that you gather your community members and pray as a *jamat *in a location convenient for all. If this is not possible, you can also perform Salah in *jamat *with your family. In both scenarios, you will attain the reward of praying with *jamat. *However, it is not as virtuous in comparison to praying with the Masjid congregation.
Raddul Muhtar: v. 2, p. 290 (Maktaba Imdadia); Fatawa Darul Uloom Zakariya: v. 2, p. 306-308 (Zamzam); Aap Key Masaail Awr Unka Hall: v. 3, p. 423 (Maktaba Ludhyanawi); Fatawa Darul Uloom Deoband: v. 3, p. 43-44 (Darul Isha’at)
Only Allah knows best
Written by Maulana Mohammad Ahsan Osmani
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham