Answered by: Mufti Mohammad Ahsan Osmani
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?
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 fulfil 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 AwrUnka 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 Mufti Mohammad Ahsan Osmani
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham