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Ruling when the Friday Prayer and the E`ed Prayer Come on the Same Day
Author : The General Iftaa' Department
Date Added : 14-07-2015

Ruling when the Friday Prayer and the E`ed Prayer Come on the Same Day

When the E`ed occurs on a Friday, the Friday prayer remains obligatory because the E`ed prayer is a confirmed Sunna; whereas, the Friday prayer is an individual duty. Sunnah doesn`t invalidate an obligation, nor suffices for it. This is indicated by the following verse (What means): "O ye who believe! When the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday (the Day of Assembly), hasten earnestly to the Remembrance of God, and leave off business (and traffic): That is best for you if ye but knew!" [Al-Jum`ah/9].

 

At the time of the Prophet (PBUH), E`ed occurred on a Friday, so he performed the E`ed prayer as well as the Friday prayer and delivered both sermons, and this is very famous in the books of Sunnah and the traditions. In addition, this is the opinion of the majority of the Muslim scholars: The Hanafites, The Malikites, The Shafites and in one narration of the Hanbalites.

 

He (PBUH) permitted the people from the outskirts not to attend the Friday prayer that day and instead offer the Zuhr prayer in their neighborhoods. The Prophet (PBUH) said: Two festivals (E'ed and Friday) have synchronized on this day. If anyone does not want to offer the Friday prayer, the E'ed prayer is sufficient for him. But we shall offer the Friday prayer." [Abu Dawood].

 

The majority of the Hanafite, Malikite and Shafite jurists said that the aforementioned Hadith applies to those who came from the outskirts of Medina in order to offer the E`ed prayer in the Prophet`s Mosque, and they aren`t obliged to offer the Friday prayer in principle, because they live in the outskirts of cities, far from populated areas. If they waited to offer the Friday prayer after having performed the E`ed prayer, they will face hardship and they will face the same hardship if they went home and returned to offer the Friday prayer, and this is why the Prophet(PBUH) permitted them not to attend the Friday prayer.

 

Therefore, it is more prudent to observe both prayers on that day, and as regards the opinion of some Hanbalite jurists states that whoever prays the E`ed prayer isn`t obliged to pray the Friday prayer, and should pray the Zuhr prayer instead, it contradicts prudence and acquittal.

 

As regards the opinion which states that praying the E`ed prayer invalidates the Zuhr prayer, this has never been stated by any of the four schools of jurisprudence and contradicts the provisions of Sharia which make offering five prayers for each day and night obligatory. Therefore, it is impermissible to apply this opinion, imitate it, or issue rulings based on it. Moreover, some narrations, related to some companions, state that the E`ed prayer makes the Friday prayer not obligatory if they happened on the same day, aren`t to be taken into consideration.

 

Finally, there is no room for dispute and  argument since Muslims are about to receive the Feast of Al-Fitr, rather, a Muslim should adhere to matters whose meanings are established, leave matters whose meanings are allegorical and follow the established opinions of the four juristic schools. And Allah Knows Best.

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

How to perform the witr prayer in terms of connection (wasl) and separation (fasl)?

 
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
The Witr prayer has several forms that vary in terms of virtue:
 
The First Form: Separating every two units (rak‘ah) with a Tashahhud and a Taslim (salutation). This is superior to connecting the units, even if it is only a single rak‘ah. This is based on the Hadith of ‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her): 'The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to pray eleven units between the end of the ‘Isha prayer and dawn, performing the Taslim after every two units and performing Witr with a single unit.' (Related by al-Bukhari & Muslim).
 
The Second Form: Connecting the units with only one final Tashahhud at the very end.
 
The Third Form: Connecting with two Tashahhuds—meaning reciting the Tashahhud before the final unit without performing the Taslim, then standing to complete the final unit. This form is considered the lowest in rank so that the Witr prayer remains distinct from the obligatory Maghrib prayer, as stated in the Hadith: 'Do not make the Witr resemble the Maghrib prayer.' (Narrated by Al-Daraqutni, who stated its narrators are trustworthy).
 
It is stated in Bushra al-Karim Sharh al-Muqaddimah al-Hadramiyyah: 'It is permissible to connect [the Witr] with one Tashahhud in the final unit—which is better—or with two Tashahhuds in the last two units, as both methods are established in Sahih Muslim from the actions of the Prophet ﷺ. In the connected method, more than two Tashahhuds are prohibited. Furthermore, separating (al-Fasl) is better than connecting (al-Wasl) if the number of units is the same, because the Hadiths supporting it are more numerous and it involves more devotional actions.' And Allah the Exalted knows best."

What is the ruling on congregational prayer performed outside the mosque, and is it a condition that it be performed in a mosque in order to attain the full reward?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
It is not a condition for attaining the reward of congregational prayer that it be performed in a mosque; however, a Muslim should still be keen to perform his prayers in the mosque, so as not to miss out on immense reward. This is due to the virtue of the mosque and of spending time there (i‘tikāf), the typically larger number of worshippers present, and the additional reward gained through walking to and from the mosque. On the authority of Abū Hurayrah (raḍiyallāhu ‘anh), the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Whoever purifies himself in his house, then walks to one of the houses of Allah to fulfill one of the obligations Allah has prescribed, one of his steps will erase a sin, and the other will raise him a degree [in status]." (Related by Muslim)
Whoever misses congregational prayer at the mosque should still strive to pray in congregation at his workplace, or together with the members of his household. And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on colleagues alternating overtime shifts and receiving wages for absent days?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
An employee is religiously obligated to abide by the instructions and regulations pertaining to overtime hours. Furthermore, it is mandatory to adhere to honesty and avoid deceit, circumvention, and falsehood. Allah Almighty says (what means): "O you who have believed, be conscious of Allah and be with those who are truthful."
(At-Tawbah/119).
 
Therefore, whoever is assigned to work overtime must remain present at the designated workplace, even if no active tasks are required of them during that time.
 
Likewise, the official authorized to approve overtime work must comply with all established conditions and regulatory guidelines. It is impermissible for them to grant overtime hours in violation of system regulations. Should any compensation be disbursed in contravention of these official rules, it is unlawful to accept or consume such wages. And Allah Almighty knows best.

Which takes precedence: the 'aqīqah or the uḍḥiyyah?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
The 'aqīqah is an act of worship through which a servant draws closer to Allah the Almighty in gratitude for the blessing of a newborn child. It is a confirmed Sunnah for those who are financially capable, and Allah does not burden any soul beyond what it can bear.
However, the uḍḥiyyah takes precedence, as it is a confirmed Sunnah established from the Prophet ﷺ through stronger and more numerous narrations — indeed, the Ḥanafī scholars hold it to be obligatory. Furthermore, its time is narrow and limited, expiring with the passing of the days of Eid, whereas the 'aqīqah may be delayed until one becomes financially capable of performing it.
And Allah Almighty knows best.