Repeating the Jumu’ah Salah in a Masjid
The issue of having two ‘Jumu’ah’ (or repeating the Jumu’ah salah with another congregation) in the same masjid, falls under the Mas’ala of repeating congregational salah in the same masjid (that is, performing salah in Jamaah two or more times in the same Masjid).
In this regard, the Imams of the four Madhahib, as well as the former and latter Fuqaha (Jurists) have given guidelines pertaining to its permissibility and impermissibility  which are as follows: –
- The Madhhab of Imam Malik (AR) states that where an Imam is fixed for a Masjid, then besides the salah of Jamaah with that Imam, another salah of Jamaah is Makrooh (reprehensible). It means that when the official Imam (or his representative) has performed one of the five daily salah in that masjid, then it will be Makrooh for another person to perform the same salah in Jamaah with other people in that Masjid. However, if the masjid is too small to accommodate all the Muslims at one time, it will be allowed to have another congregational salah in that masjid. (Rawdhah At Taalibeen 1:510 – Kitab Al Fatawa 3:75 Zam Zam Karachi 2008)
According to Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, a second salah in Jamaah can be held in the masjid with permission of the official Imam. (Kashaf Al Qina 1: 537 – Kitab Al Fatawa 3:75)
The Fuqaha (Jurists) of the Madhhab of Imam Abu Hanifah, in principle, have considered the repetition of  salah in Jamaah in the same Masjid to be Makrooh (detestable/abominable). In this regard, the celebrated renowned Hanafi Jurist, Allama Kasani (A.R) writes, ‘And if the people of the Masjid perform salah in it, with an Adhan and Iqamat or some of its people perform salah in it, then it is Makrooh for others from among the people of that masjid (Jamaat) and others who do not belong to that masjid to repeat the Adhan and Iqamah (to perform the same salah in Jamaah again). (Bada’i As Sanaa’i Vol. 1 pg. 153 Maktaba Rasheediya Queta Pakistan).
In Al Fatawa Al Hindiya, it is written ‘When there is a fixed Imam for the masjid, or the congregation (Mussallis) of that masjid is known in that locality, and then the people of that place perform Salah in Jamaah (in that masjid), it will not be allowed to repeat the Salah in Jamaah in that masjid with a second Adhan’ (Al Fatawa Al Hindiya 1:83 Maktaba Rasheediya).
Most of the Fuqaha (Jurists) have adopted the above ruling, stating that repeating salah in Jamaah in the Masjid is Makrooh. This is the official position of the Madhhab of Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malik and Imam Shafi (AR). Like Imam Malik, Imam Shafi also holds the view that if the masjid is too small to accommodate everyone, then it will be permissible to have another salah in Jamaah.
As mentioned by the above Fuqaha (Jurists), the dislike for repeating salah in Jamaah in the same Masjid is due to the action of the Prophet (S.A.W) himself. It is narrated in a tradition that once the Messenger of Allah (SAW) went to make peace between some people and when he returned to his masjid, the salah in Jamaah was completed. Upon this, he returned to his home, gathered the people of his household and performed that salah in congregation with them. (Recorded by At Tabarani in Al Kabeer and in Al Awsat – Majma Az Zawa’id Hadith No 2177).
While explaining the above action of the Prophet (SAW), the great Jurist Allamah Kasani (AR) wrote, ‘If the Messenger of Allah (SAW) did not dislike repeating salah in Jamaah in the masjid, he would not have left it out, since he knew of its virtues. It is also narrated from Anas (RA) that when the Sahabahs missed salah in Jamaah, they would perform it individually in the Masjid’. (Badaa’i As Sanaa’i Vol 1 pg. 153).
The Fuqaha (Jurists) have further explained that repetition of salah in Jamaah causes a decrease in the amount of Musallis (those performing salah) coming to the Masjid. In this regard, Allamah Kasani has written, ‘It is so because repeating the salah in Jamaah (by having congregational salah two times or more) leads to a decrease in the amount of people coming to the masjid to join the official salah in Jamaah (congregation). This occurs because when people know that they may miss the salah in congregation (when it is done at the fixed time), they would hasten towards it, and as such, there would be a large congregation for that salah. However, when they know that they will not miss it in congregation since it is done more than one time, they would delay in coming for salah in Jamaah, which would then cause a decrease in the congregation, and this in itself is Makrooh (abominable). (Bada’i As Sanaa’i Vol 1 pg 153 Maktabah Rasheediya Queta Pakistan ).
Although repeating the salah in Jamaah is generally considered to be Makrooh, there are certain situations where it is allowed without dislike. From among these are the following: –
- If the masjid is not a well-established locality or community masjid, but it is one which is present in the market place or on the open public street, where passers-by stop to perform salah regularly. (Badaa’i As Sanaa’i vol 1 pg 153)
In such masajid, repeating the Salah in Jamaah by other worshippers would be allowed without dislike, since in those masajid, the Musallis (those performing Salah) are not fixed. Instead, travelers, passers-by and others who travel through such areas, stop and perform their salah regularly. Salah in Jamaah (of the same Salah) being performed a few times in such masajid do not cause any harm, and do not lead to a small amount of Musallis for congregational salah.
- If the masjid is such that there is no fixed Imam, and there are no fixed Musallis who attend that masjid for salah. Instead, people come at different times to offer their salah when they pass by that masjid, without any fixed Imam. In such masajid, repeating the salah in Jamaah would be allowed without dislike. (Al Fatawa Al Hindiya 1:83 Maktaba Rasheediya))
- If some people from the locality performed salah in Jamaah after calling the Adhan in such a soft voice that others of the locality did not hear, and were not aware of the salah of Jamaah being performed, then those of that locality who were not aware can perform the same salah in Jamaah again. (Fatawa Qadhi Khan Ala Hamish Al Hindiya 1: 78- Kitab Al Fatawa 3:77)
- If salah in Jamaah was performed by Muslims who are not from that locality, then it will not be Makrooh for the people of that locality to repeat the salah in Jamaah, when they gather in their masjid for the prayer. (Badaa’i As Sanaa’i 1:153)
From the above explanations, it is evident that in general cases, once the Jumu’ah salah has been performed by the official Imam and the congregation, then repeating it in the same masjid will be Makrooh (reprehensible), since it is considered as repeating the salah in Jamaah which the Fuqaha (jurists) have considered to be Makrooh.
However, in cases of need, where a masjid is too small to accommodate everyone for salah and Khutbah, the Jumu’ah salah can be repeated in that masjid if other masajid in the locality are not available for Muslims to attend.
The Fuqaha (Jurists) of the Hanafi Madhhab have stated that if one place is too small to accommodate the large gathering for Jumu’ah, then it is allowed to have the Jumu’ah salah in a number of places in one locality/city. In this regard, the great Hanafi Jurist, Allamah Ibn Nujaim has stated, ‘it is sound and correct to have the Jumu’ah salah in a number of places in one city. This is the opinion of Imam Abu Hanifa and Imam Muhammad and it is the correct opinion’. (Al Bahr Ar Ra’iq 2:805 – Kitab Al Fatawa 3:79)
Based on this allowance, it will be permissible to have the Jumu’ah salah and Khutbah in a few places (even in open halls) to cater for large crowds, instead of having multiple Jumu’ah in the same one masjid.
Similarly, in the case where the time granted to Muslim workers from their jobs (to perform Jumu’ah salah) differ drastically, and all cannot gather at the same time for Jumu’ah salah in a masjid, then instead of repeating  Jumu’ah salah in the same masjid for two or three times, some masajid in the city/locality can fix their timings (for Jumu’ah salah) in such a manner that it is convenient to Muslim workers who get their time-off at different intervals.
It will also be permissible for Muslim workers to gather at an open place/hall and establish the Jumu’ah salah at their convenient time, instead of repeating the Jumu’ah salah in a masjid where it has been performed already.
If these cannot be implemented, then only for valid reasons that are acceptable in the Shariah, can one repeat the Jumu’ah salah in a masjid after it has officially been performed.
It must not be repeated for the convenience of some people, nor must it be held for a second time only to suit the timing of others. The Quran has clearly given the command  that ‘when the call for prayer is made on the day of Jumu’ah, one must hasten to it’, in order to perform the Jumu’ah salah. As such, a Muslim is required to make every effort to hasten to the Masjid for Jumu’ah salah when the call for this prayer is made on the day of Friday.
And Allah Knows best
Mufti Waseem Khan
15/4/2025