Q: In my locality there was an AGM meeting held which I attended. It was at the madrasah building which is the yard of our musjid. The meeting ended at 8:15 pm just before the Azaan was called. Esha namaaz jamaat was at 8:30pm. Five minutes before namaaz jamaat in the musjid, the brothers decided to read their own jamaat and not join the jamaat namaaz in the musjid. Even perchance if this type of meeting had to continue after Azaan was given, I thought the better place to read namaaz is in the musjid which I did. I also thought that being people in the effort of Deen if someone had to see us reading namaaz separately from the main jamaat in the musjid, it would create confusion or if we had to continue the meeting and read a separate namaaz later, this would also create confusion. In Deen, we have to always look at rewards to motivate us and the Sunnat. I believe we have to instill in our children and people the importance of jamaat namaaz in musjid.
I have seen in the month of Ramadaan, there are some areas if the venue is walking distance to musjid, they first read their Esha in musjid, then move to the venue even if this delays their taraaweeh time, and I also see in Darul Ulooms and Madrasahs that are in or near proximity to the MUSJID, they stop their classes and take time of to make the students read their namaaz with jamaat in the musjid then continue with class. I am sure, to stop students from class and move them to the musjid is abit time consuming.
My question:
1. What is the reward of the reading namaaz in the musjid with jamaat and in a bigger congregation?
2. Is there any disrespect caused when reading another jamaat in the same yard as the musjid after Azaan or few minutes before the Azaan is called except if you a Musaafir (traveller) or urgelty need to set out for a journey or any dire necessities?
3. If the madrasah students who's madrasah is situated in the same yard of the musjid, observe smaller jamaat separately and not in the musjid, what will be the harm of the tarbiyat of those children?
4. How can I help rectify this in my community as it is really disturbing me?
A: The reward in the musjid with jamaat is multiplied. To leave out performing namaaz in the musjid is a great sin. The warnings that have come, have come about the person leaving the namaaz at the musjid.
As explained, leaving out the jamaat in the musjid is a grave sin. It should not be taken casually. Being the trustees of the musjid they should be much more responsible, for the musjid is constructed mainly for the congregational salaah. If the people responsible for the musjid are going to abandon the musjid then they are grossly failing in their duty to the musjid. It is extremely irresponsible behaviour. They should make taubah and never repeat such behaviour in the future.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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