25.0 SECTION: EXCUSES THAT PERMIT THE MISSING OF THE FRIDAY AND CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
He who is ill is excused from attending Friday prayer and the congregational prayers.
“Section”: This section elaborates upon the factors which excuse one from attending the Friday prayer and congregational prayers. The din is easy, all praise be to Allah. He says: {He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty.} (Al-Hajj: 78)
These excuses are:
First: “He who is ill”: One who has an illness which prevents him from attending the congregational prayer or the Friday prayer. Hence, he is pardoned and allowed to pray at his home. The evidence for this is the saying of the Prophet(pbuh): “There is no prayer for he who hears the call [to prayer] and does not respond to it except if he has an excuse.” He was asked: “What is this excuse? “The Prophet(pbuh) replied, “Fear or illness.” (Reported by Abu Dawud (551) and Ibn Majah (793) from the narration of Ibn ‘Abbas.)
When the Prophet(pbuh) was taken ill, he ordered Abu Bakr to lead the prayers. (Reported by al-Bukhari (1/169, 182-183) and Muslim (2/22-23) from the narration of ‘Aishah.) The Prophet(pbuh) lay bedridden in his house due to the injuries sustained when he fell off his horse. (Reported by al-Bukhari (1/177, 186-187, 203) and Muslim (2/18) from the narration of Anas ibn Malik.) This is the proof that illness is an excuse for missing the Friday prayer and congregational prayers.
He who has an urgent need to urinate or defecate, he who is served food and has a need for it and he who fears that his wealth will be lost, pilfered or damaged.
Second: “He who has an urgent need to urinate or defecate”: If one has an urgent need to answer the call of nature, it is a valid excuse for him to miss the congregational prayers and Friday prayer for he will not be able to concentrate on his prayer while in this state. He should use the toilet, make ablution and then join in the congregational prayer with the rest. If it has concluded, then he is excused for the Prophet(pbuh) said, “There is no prayer for whom food has been served and those who have an urgent need to relieve themselves of the two impurities.” (Reported by Muslim (2/78-79) from the narration of ‘Aishah.)
Third: “He who is served food and has a need for it”: When he is served food while he is hungry or he is longing for food, then he should satisfy his need. This is because going for the prayer in this condition would be futile for he will be thinking about food during the prayer. One is required to attend the prayer while his mind is free of any preoccupation. Only then can he concentrate on his prayer and be involved spiritually in it. The Prophet(pbuh) said, “There is no prayer for whom food has been served.” And he(pbuh) said, “When dinner is served, begin with it.”12 I.e., eat it without delay.
Four: “And he who fears that his wealth will be lost, pilfered or damaged”: If he fears that his wealth will be lost, stolen or there is imminent peril, then he should safeguard it. Muslims are commanded to preserve our wealth and not let it go to waste.
One who fears that his relative will perish, one who fears that he may be harmed or fears the sultan, one who is chased by his debtor when he has nothing to give, one who fears losing a travel companion, one who is very sleepy, one who may be harmed by rain, mud and very cold wind on a moonless night.
Five: “One who fears that his relative will perish”: Due to an illness and there is no one else to care for the ailing person except him. Since the sick relative needs him, he is excused from the congregational prayers and can perform it where he is tending to the ill person.
Six: “One who fears that he may be harmed”: He fears that he will be harmed if he goes to the masjid. If it rains and he and his clothes get soaked, he might fall ill. Hence, he may pray at his home so as to avoid the harm.
Seven: “Or fears the sultan: He fears that the sultan will harm him if he were to be seen. He may pray at his home. The Prophet M said, “One should not harm or be harmed.” (Reported by Ahmad (1/313) and Ibn Majah (2341) from the narration of Ibn ‘Abbas.) Also Allah says: {And has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty.} (Al-Hajj: 78)
Eight: “One who is chased by his debtor when he has nothing to give”: If he has debts that are unpaid and he is in dire straits, then he may pray at his home. Especially if his debtors are hounding him for the payment. This is a valid excuse to miss congregational prayers. However, if he has the means to repay the debt, then he is a procrastinator who no longer has a valid excuse to miss the prayers at the masjid.
Nine: “One who fears losing a travel companion”: If by going to the masjid a person may be left behind by a travel companion, then it is permissible for him to pray wherever he is and not lose that companion. It is not permissible for a Muslim to travel alone.
Ten: “One who is very sleepy”: If he is overcome by sleep, then he may pray at his home and then go to sleep since it will be futile for him to attend prayers at the masjid while he is sleepy. Not only will it be difficult for him, he will not be able to concentrate on the prayer as well.
Eleven: If it rains and he fears that he might fall ill if he gets wet by it, then he may pray at his home to avoid this.
Twelve: “One who may be harmed by rain”: If he has fear due to extremely cold weather, then it is a valid excuse for him to pray at his home. The cold weather might be harmful to his health and it is also a difficult task attending prayer at the masjid during a cold period.
The proof for the last two excuses is that the Prophet(pbuh) used to order the caller of prayer to say on a cold or rainy night, “Pray O people, in your dwellings.” (Reported by al-Bukhari (1/163) and Muslim (2/147) from the narration of Ibn ‘Umar.) Ibn ‘Abbas 4- used to do this and he was refuted as a result. He said, “One better than me did this (referring to the Messenger of Allah(pbuh)). And I dislike ordering you to come out and expose you to the slippery surface and dirt.” (Reported by al-Bukhari (1/160) and Muslim (2/148).)
Thirteen: “Mud”: That is, muddy ground between him and the masjid which he must cross over. In this case, he may pray at his home based on the narration by Ibn ‘Abbas.
Fourteen: “And very cold wind on a moonless night”: If this cold wind is harmful to him if he leaves for the masjid, then it is a valid excuse for him to pray at his home.
By Shaykh Salih ibn Fawzan al-Fawzan
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