They Pray in a Mosque Where Irregularities Are Common — Should They Pray with Them?

Question

This letter is from a questioner in Karachi, Pakistan, who says: we are students in Karachi, and we live on an island outside the city that has one mosque in which the prayer is held. However, we have observed practices whose correctness we do not know: first, the iqamah is made like the adhan, and sometimes even longer; second, they do not straighten the rows and leave gaps in them; third, they race the imam in bowing and prostrating and end the prayer with him; fourth, after the two sunnah rak'ahs they pray two rak'ahs seated; fifth, after the evening prayer they shake their heads forward and backward and breathe deeply, then the imam mumbles words we do not understand. What is your view of these practices? Is it permissible for us to pray at home, or should we pray in this mosque — separately or with them? Tell us what is best, may Allah reward you.

Answer (English translation)

The Shaykh:

Regarding the practices the questioner mentioned — that they make the iqamah like the adhan: some scholars hold that view, but the correct position is that the iqamah is shorter than the adhan, as is well known. As for their not straightening the rows and leaving gaps, this is a serious error: straightening the row is part of perfecting the prayer, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered that rows be straightened and made compact — so what they do is wrong. As for their shaking their heads forward and backward after the evening prayer, this too has no basis and is among the innovations; likewise the mumbling that the imam reportedly utters without anyone knowing what he says — we say to them: this also must be known — what is he saying? Is it truth or falsehood? And apparently — and Allah knows best — it is among the innovations. Also, their racing the imam in bowing, prostrating, rising, and sitting: this too is wrong and forbidden for them, and the prayer of one who races the imam is invalid if he does so deliberately and knowingly, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'The imam is only appointed to be followed — when he says the takbir, say the takbir, and do not say the takbir until he does; when he bows, bow, and do not bow until he does.' He said the same regarding the rest of the prayer's actions: the one praying behind an imam must neither precede him nor coincide with him, but follow him — without lagging behind either.

As for their praying two rak'ahs seated after the sunnah: I know of no basis for that. Something similar was reported after the Witr — praying two rak'ahs seated — but after the prayer's sunnah I know of no basis for it.

As for the brother's question whether they should pray with them or in their homes: we say it is better that you pray with them and advise them about these innovative practices. Then if they are guided, the reward is yours and theirs; and if they are not guided, the reward is yours and the burden theirs — and at that point you are excused to pray on your own.