The Imaam confronted me right after I finished the Salaat, and told me that since I have performed the Salaat on the main Musallah (where the Imaam normally leads), a second Jamaat (which is the regular Jamaat) cannot take place from this spot anymore. Is there such a restriction? Please explain.
In principle, for a second Jamaat to be performed there are different
situations. The rulings for each situation will be different. Hereunder are
the different situations:
a) The Musjid is structured solely for travelers
b) The Musjid does not have an appointed Imaam and Muazzin
c) The first Jamaat was performed by non-residents of the community
d) The first Jamaat was performed by residents of the community. However,
the Jamaat was performed without calling out the Adhaan.
The ruling for the above four situations is that it will be permissible to
perform the second Jamaat with Adhaan and Iqaamat.
a) The resident of the locality called out the Adhaan for the first Jamaat.
b) The first Jamaat was performed exactly like the normal Jamaat, i.e. from
the front, etc.
In the above 2 situations to perform the second Jamaat is Makrooh Tahrimi.
If we analyse the above situations, the scenario which was explained falls
under the category ‘C’ where non-residents of the community performed the
first Jamaat. Therefore, it is better if the second Jamaat be performed from
the official Musallah.
Lastly, we advise that if Salaat has to be performed before the stipulated
time of Jamaat, it be performed in the Sahn (outer section) of the Masjid.
Otherwise, perform in one corner of the Musjid, not at the place of the
Imaam.
and Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai