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20 Questions & Answers on Praying in Congregation (Hanafi Fiqh)

بِسۡمِ اللهِ الرَّحۡمٰنِ الرَّحِيۡمِ 

جماعت کے ساتھ نماز پڑھنے کے بارے میں ۲۰ سوالات و جوابات (حنفی فقہ)

 

Q1. Is praying in congregation obligatory for men according to the Hanafi fiqh?
A1. Praying in congregation is not obligatory but is an emphasised Sunnah (sunnah mu’akkadah) for men who have no valid excuse. Habitually missing it without excuse is sinful. The Sunnah is fulfilled even if the congregation is outside a masjid, though it is better in the masjid. In Hanbali fiqh it is fard ‘ayn for men to pray in congregation.
حنفی فقہ کے مطابق جماعت کے ساتھ نماز پڑھنا فرض نہیں بلکہ بغیر عذر کے مردوں کے لیے مؤکد سنت ہے۔ بغیر کسی عذر کے اسے معمول بنا لینا گناہ ہے۔ اگرچہ مسجد کے باہر بھی جماعت سے نماز پڑھنے سے سنت ادا ہو جاتی ہے، لیکن مسجد میں ادا کرنا افضل ہے۔

Q2. What is the minimum number of people for a fard prayer congregation?
A2: Two people, regardless of gender or age (one imām and one follower) for the five daily fard prayers. For Friday prayer, the minimum is four people; the three followers must all fulfil the condition of leading prayer (sane, adult, male, Muslim).
پانچ فرض نمازوں کے لیے کم از کم دو افراد (ایک امام اور ایک مقتدی) کافی ہیں، چاہے ان کی عمر یا جنس کچھ بھی ہو۔ جمعہ کی نماز کے لیے کم از کم چار افراد ضروری ہیں، جن میں تین مقتدی ایسے ہوں جو امام بننے کی شرائط (عاقل، بالغ، مرد، مسلمان) پر پورا اُترتے ہوں۔

Q3. What is the legal status of adhan and iqama for fard congregational prayer?
A3. According to Hanafi fiqh, both the adhan and iqama are not fard for the validity of a fard congregational prayer, but they are considered emphasised sunnahs (sunnah mu’akkadah) for men. It is prohibitively disliked (makruh tahrimi) to habitually omit both without excuse. Performing them is the established and recommended practice.
حنفی فقہ کے مطابق فرض جماعت کی نماز کے لیے اذان اور اقامت فرض نہیں، لیکن مردوں کے لیے مؤکد سنت ہیں۔ بغیر کسی عذر کے ان دونوں کو مسلسل چھوڑنا مکروہِ تحریمی ہے۔ ان کا ادا کرنا ثابت شدہ اور مستحب عمل ہے۔

Q4. When should the adhan be called in a masjid?
A4. The adhan in a masjid should be called after the time for the specific prayer has actually entered. The purpose of the adhan is to announce that the time for prayer has arrived. So ideally, the adhan should be given as soon as the time for that prayer enters, but it may be delayed slightly to align with the scheduled congregation if necessary.
مسجد میں اذان اس وقت دی جائے جب متعلقہ نماز کا وقت داخل ہو چکا ہو۔ اذان کا مقصد نماز کے وقت کے آغاز کا اعلان کرنا ہے۔ بہتر یہ ہے کہ اذان وقت کے داخل ہوتے ہی دے دی جائے، لیکن اگر ضرورت ہو تو جماعت کے مقررہ وقت سے ہم آہنگ کرنے کے لیے تھوڑا مؤخر کیا جا سکتا ہے۔

Q5. Can the imām call the adhan and iqama?
A5: Yes, according to Hanafi fiqh, it is permissible for the imām to call both the adhan and the iqama.
جی ہاں، حنفی فقہ کے مطابق امام کے لیے اذان اور اقامت دونوں کہنا جائز ہے۔

Q6. Who should call the adhan in a masjid?
A6: Appointing a regular mu’adhdhin is recommended and in accordance with the Sunnah and considered mustahabb in Hanafi fiqh. The appointed mu’adhdhin must be male, Muslim, and sane. He should also be trustworthy, morally upright, known to be honest, of good character, have good knowledge of the rulings of adhan, correct pronunciation with a strong voice, and be reliable in terms of timekeeping. If there is no appointed mu’adhdhin, any qualified Muslim man may call the adhan.
مسجد میں باقاعدہ مؤذن مقرر کرنا سنت کے مطابق اور حنفی فقہ میں مستحب ہے۔ مقرر کردہ مؤذن کا مرد، مسلمان اور عاقل ہونا ضروری ہے۔ اس کے ساتھ ساتھ وہ دیانت دار، اخلاقی طور پر صالح، درست تلفظ رکھنے والا، اذان کے احکام کا علم رکھنے والا، پختہ آواز اور وقت کی پابندی کرنے والا ہو۔ اگر کوئی مقرر مؤذن نہ ہو تو کوئی بھی اہل مسلمان مرد اذان دے سکتا ہے۔

Q7. Who should call the Iqama in a masjid?
A7. The appointed mu’adhdhin of the masjid has the first right. If the mu’adhdhin is absent, then the imām has the right to give the iqama. After the imām, any suitable male member of the congregation may call the iqama.
مسجد کا مقرر کردہ مؤذن اقامت کہنے کا پہلا حق دار ہے۔ اگر مؤذن موجود نہ ہو، تو امام اقامت کہہ سکتا ہے۔ امام کے بعد کوئی بھی موزوں مرد مقتدی اقامت کہہ سکتا ہے۔

Q8: At what point should men stand up for the congregation prayer?
A8: Men should stand up for prayer during the iqama when the mu’azzin reaches the phrase “Hayya ‘ala al-Falah” (or just before or after). This is part of the etiquette (adaab) of prayer, not an obligation nor a confirmed sunnah. If the imām enters from the back, each row should stand as the imām passes by their row. If the imām enters from the front, the congregation should stand when they see the imām entering. Standing before the iqama begins or remaining standing throughout the iqama without necessity is considered makruh.
مردوں کو اقامت کے دوران اُس وقت کھڑا ہونا چاہیے جب مؤذن "حی علی الفلاح" پر پہنچے، یا اس سے تھوڑا پہلے یا بعد میں۔ یہ آدابِ نماز میں سے ہے، نہ کہ واجب یا مؤکد سنت۔ اگر امام پیچھے سے داخل ہو تو ہر صف اُس وقت کھڑی ہو جب امام اُن کے سامنے سے گزرے۔ اگر امام سامنے سے داخل ہو تو جب وہ داخل ہوتے دکھائی دیں تو مقتدی کھڑے ہو جائیں۔ اقامت سے پہلے کھڑا ہو جانا یا اقامت کے دوران مسلسل کھڑا رہنا بلا ضرورت مکروہ ہے۔

Q9: What if I join the congregation prayer, then realise I have no wudu or my wudu breaks?
A9: Leave the prayer as soon as you realise you have no wudu or your wudu has broken. Perform your wudu and then repeat the entire prayer from the beginning. If you are leading the prayer as the imām, you should step back and appoint someone else to lead the congregation if possible. If the congregation discovers the imām had no wudu, all must repeat their prayer.
اگر آپ جماعت میں شامل ہونے کے بعد یہ جان لیں کہ آپ کا وضو نہیں ہے یا دورانِ نماز ٹوٹ گیا ہے، تو فوراً نماز چھوڑ دیں، وضو کریں اور مکمل نماز دوبارہ ادا کریں۔ اگر آپ امام ہیں تو پیچھے ہٹ کر کسی دوسرے کو امام بننے کے لیے آگے کر دیں۔ اگر بعد میں پتہ چلے کہ امام کا وضو نہیں تھا، تو پوری جماعت کو نماز دوبارہ پڑھنی ہوگی۔

 

Q10. Should I recite Surah al-Fatiha or any surah behind the imām in jamaat?
A10. In Hanafi fiqh, the follower (muqtadi) should remain silent and not recite surah al-Fatiha or any surah behind the imām, whether the recitation is loud or silent. If one does recite, the prayer is still valid.

In Shafi‘I fiqh you must recite al-Fatiha in every rak‘ah, even behind the imām, whether aloud or silent. In Maliki fiqh you should remain silent in loud prayers, but recite in silent prayers.


حنفی فقہ کے مطابق مقتدی کو امام کے پیچھے سورہ الفاتحہ یا کوئی اور سورت نہیں پڑھنی چاہیے، چاہے امام کی قراءت بلند ہو یا آہستہ۔ اگر کسی نے پڑھ بھی لیا تو نماز درست ہو جائے گی۔

Q11. What is the correct way for a latecomer (masbuq) to complete missed rak‘ats when joining the jamaat late?
A11. Do not make salām with the imām. As soon as the imām completes his first salām, stand up to complete your prayer. The rak‘ats you missed are made up as if you were praying them from the beginning (i.e., recite surah in the first two rak‘ats you make up). For tashahhud (qa’dah), follow the total number of rak‘ats you have prayed, whether with the imām or alone.
اگر آپ جماعت میں دیر سے شامل ہوئے ہیں تو امام کے ساتھ سلام نہ پھیریں۔ جیسے ہی امام پہلا سلام پھیرے، آپ کھڑے ہو کر اپنی چھوٹی ہوئی رکعات مکمل کریں۔ یہ رکعات ایسے ادا کریں جیسے آپ اکیلے نماز پڑھ رہے ہوں، یعنی پہلی دو رکعتوں میں سورہ پڑھیں۔ قعدہ میں امام کے ساتھ یا اکیلے پڑھی گئی رکعتوں کی کل تعداد کے مطابق قعدہ کریں۔

Q12. If I join the imām in ruku, have I caught that rak‘at?
A12. Yes, in Hanafi fiqh, if you join the imām in ruku even for a brief moment before he raises his head, you have caught that rak‘at. You must say opening takbir (takbir tahrima) while standing before joining the jamaat in prayer.
حنفی فقہ کے مطابق اگر آپ رکوع میں امام کے ساتھ شامل ہو جائیں، حتیٰ کہ تھوڑے لمحے کے لیے بھی، تو وہ رکعت شمار ہوگی۔ تاہم، تکبیرِ تحریمہ کھڑے ہو کر کہنا ضروری ہے۔

Q13. If the imām is in ruku and he hears a latecomer (masbuq) about to join the prayer, should the imām delay rising from ruku?
A13. According to Hanafi fiqh, it is generally makruh for the imām to deliberately delay rising from ruku solely to allow a latecomer to catch the rak‘at.
حنفی فقہ کے مطابق اگر امام صرف اس لیے رکوع سے اٹھنے میں تاخیر کرے تاکہ پیچھے آنے والا مقتدی رکعت پا لے، تو یہ عمل مکروہ ہے۔

Q14. As a latecomer (masbuq)what should I recite in his final sitting (qa'dah)?
A14. If you join the jamaat (congregational prayer) late and are sitting with the imām in his final sitting (qa'dah), you should recite only the tashahhud (up to “abduhu wa rasuluh”) and then stop reciting and remain silent until the imām makes salām.
اگر آپ امام کے ساتھ آخری قعدہ میں شامل ہوں تو صرف تشہد (یعنی "عبدہ و رسولہ" تک) پڑھیں، اس کے بعد خاموش رہیں جب تک امام سلام نہ پھیرے۔

Q15. What happens if a latecomer (masbuq) mistakenly recites beyond the tashahhud in his final sitting (qa’dah)?
A15. As per Hanafi fiqh, the latecomer should recite only the tashahhud (up to "abduhu wa rasuluh") and then remain silent. If he recites more by mistake, it is disliked (makruh) but not sinful, and the prayer remains valid. Sajda sahw is not required.
حنفی فقہ کے مطابق، اگر مسبوق غلطی سے "عبدہ و رسولہ" کے بعد بھی تشہد میں کچھ اور پڑھ لے، تو یہ مکروہ ہے لیکن گناہ نہیں، اور نماز درست ہے۔ سجدہ سہو واجب نہیں۔

Q16. What should I recite when making up missed rak‘ats as a latecomer (masbuq)?
A16. When making up missed rak‘ats, recite Surah al-Fatiha and an additional surah (or three short verses) in the first two rak‘ats you make up, as you would if praying alone.
چھوٹی ہوئی رکعتوں کو مکمل کرتے وقت پہلی دو رکعتوں میں سورہ فاتحہ اور ایک اضافی سورہ (یا تین مختصر آیات) پڑھیں، جیسے آپ تنہا نماز ادا کر رہے ہوں۔

Q17. Should a latecomer (masbuq) recite his missed rak‘ats loudly for Fajr, Maghrib, and Isha?
A17. If making up missed rak‘ats in a loud prayer (Fajr, Maghrib, Isha), the masbuq may recite aloud, but should do so only if it will not disturb others in the mosque. If there is a risk of disturbing others, it is better to recite quietly.
اگر مسبوق فجر، مغرب یا عشاء کی نماز میں چھوٹی ہوئی رکعتیں مکمل کر رہا ہو تو وہ اونچی آواز سے پڑھ سکتا ہے، بشرطیکہ مسجد میں موجود دیگر افراد کو اس سے تکلیف نہ ہو۔ اگر خلل کا اندیشہ ہو تو آہستہ پڑھنا بہتر ہے۔

Q18. What if I mistakenly perform salām with the imām before completing my missed rak‘ats?
A18. If you mistakenly perform salām with the imam before completing your missed rak‘ats, you must perform sajda sahw (prostration of forgetfulness) at the end of your prayer.
اگر مسبوق غلطی سے امام کے ساتھ سلام پھیر دے اور اس کی کچھ رکعتیں باقی ہوں، تو نماز کے آخر میں سجدہ سہو کرنا لازم ہے۔

Q19. Can a latecomer (masbuq) be followed as an imām by others?
A19. No, in the Hanafi school, it is not valid for a latecomer making up missed rak‘ats to lead others in prayer. The prayer of those who follow behind such a person is invalid.
حنفی فقہ کے مطابق، جو شخص مسبوق ہو اور اپنی چھوٹی ہوئی رکعتیں مکمل کر رہا ہو، وہ دوسروں کی امامت نہیں کر سکتا۔ اس کے پیچھے نماز پڑھنے والوں کی نماز درست نہیں ہوگی۔

Q20: Can a masbuq be followed as imām by others?
A20: No. In the Hanafi school, it is not valid for someone making up missed rak‘ahs (masbuq) to lead others in prayer. The prayer of the follower is invalid.

نہیں، حنفی فقہ کے مطابق، جس شخص کی کچھ رکعتیں رہ گئی ہوں (مسبوق)، اس کے لیے دوسروں کی امامت کرنا درست نہیں ہے۔ ایسے میں مقتدی کی نماز صحیح نہیں ہوتی۔

 

Dr. A. Hussain, June 2025

 

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