Praying Friday Prayer in U.S

25-6-2001 | IslamWeb

Question:

I have been sent to USA in order to get my degree. Two years left for me to graduate. We are 10 people in the city and we don't have a nearby mosque. I don't know if it is a must to pray Friday in this city. Note: I read Fatwa that says that we don't have to pray Friday. I want just to make sure....may God add this to your good deeds.
Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

All the scholars of the Muslim Ummah are agreed that the Jamaa'ah (group of Muslims who pray in congregation) is a pre-condition for the Friday prayer. But these scholars disagreed concerning the number of individuals that is sufficient to be called a Jamaa'ah. However, none of their opinions is backed by a sound evidence that makes the number they advance more preponderant than that advanced by others.

As a result, the most preponderant opinion is that any number of individuals conventionally called a group should pray Friday prayer as the Law Maker (i.e. Allah) made the Jamaa'ah a condition for the validity of Friday prayer and did not specify a given number.

In conclusion you are asked to pray Friday prayer as ten men constitute a Jamaa'ah.

For more benefit on Friday prayer, please refer to Fataawa 82835, 82979, 356992, 117037, and 257203.

Allah knows best.

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