Q: In our Masjid, as in many others there is a proliferation of chairs that are being used by Musallees to perform their salaat.
1. Can one Musallee (who uses a chair) place another chair reserving that place for another Musallee (who also uses the chair) in the absence of that Musallee. This implies that should the second Musallee arrive for Salaat (if and when?), he then has a place that has been reserved for him. This process is used to reserve a dedicated place/point in the Saff for themselves for all of their Salaat regardless if one of them attends or not.
2. For all intents and purpose is their merit in the suggestion that persons who use chairs to perform their salaat should perhaps be seated in the end/wing of each Saff?
3. Would it be appropriate to request that chairs be returned to their “designated” area after each Salaat and not left in the Saff once the Salaat has been completed.
A:
1. No.
2. No. It is a matter of convenience that they sit on one corner. This is not a shar`ee requirement.
3. Yes.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)