Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
At my University we have lectures to attend and the masjid is close by, the university professors give a break for Salah, but not for the Salah in Jamaat in the Masjid? Do I have to get up in the middle of the class session and go for jamaat (congregation) in the masjid or can I pray later when the professor gives a break? My friend told me that if a person does not do so he is a hypocrite? Another question is that does a shopkeeper have to close his shop at the time for salah in jamat (congregation) or can he pray in the appointed time of a particular prayer at his shop? Please state difference of opinion.
Wa Alaykum Assalam wa Rahmatullah wa Barakatuhu,
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful & Compassionate
When you can, pray in congregation at the mosque. When this is not reasonably possible, pray in congregation elsewhere if possible: this fulfills the sunna.
The reward of praying in congregation is attained by any sound congregation. The duty for men to pray in congregation when able to do so is also fulfilled by any congregation. However, the full reward promised for congregational prayer is for congregational prayer at the mosque. [Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]
And Allah alone gives success.
Wassalam
Faraz
Please see the following links on Prayer in Congregation: