Q: I have recently moved into an area that has a musallah, but not a masjid. The musallah is 1.1 km from my house and the nearest masjid is 3.8km.
1. Are the etiquettes and sunan of a masjid applicable to a musallah i.e. should one recite the duas for entering and leaving a masjid, make niyah for itikaaf, enter with the right foot etc.
2. Will one accrue the same reward for performing salaah in a musallah as one would in a masjid?
3. If not, is it advisable to perform salaah in the musallah or make the extra effort to attend the masjid?
Any other additional information regarding the differences between a masjid and musallah will be greatly appreciated insha-Allah.
A:
1. No, it is specific to a musjid. However, since namaaz is read there, some level of respect must be shown.
2. No. The musjid has an exclusive thawaab.
3. Though it is not compulsory to attend the musjid in the circumstances you are, we advise that one or two namaaz be performed daily in the musjid.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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