QUESTION:
As Salaamu Alaikum,
Mufti Sahib, I understand that according to the Hanafi madhhab it is makrooh to perform nafl salah in congregation with prior announcement. However, in a masjid here in Trinidad many people request and prefer performing Tahajjud and Salat al-Tasbeeh in jama‘ah, and they enjoy listening to the Qur’an in salah. Otherwise, many of them may not remain in the masjid to perform individually.
In such a situation, would it be permissible to perform these nafl prayers in jama‘ah occasionally, without making it a regular practice or announcing it formally?
ANSWER:
Wa Alaikum As Salaam,
The Fuqahaa (Jurist experts) and scholars of the Hanafi Madhhab have all stated that to perform Nafl (optional) Salah in congregation in a manner that people are called/invited towards it, or they go towards it when it is being done is Makrooh (reprehensible).
In this regard, the Hanafi Fuqaha have written, ‘Know that performing Nafl (optional) Salah in congregation (Jama’at)’ in an inviting manner is Makrooh (reprehensible), besides the Taraweeh, Salah Al Khusuf and Salah Al Instisqaa’.
(Kabeeri page. 432; Bahr Ar Ra’iq 2/52; Shami 2/50 – Kitab An Nawazil 4/579).
The term ‘على سبيل التداعى’ which means ‘in an inviting manner’ or ‘by way of mutual invitation’ (as stated by the Fuqaha) means that people are called towards it, attracted or encouraged to come to it.
It is seen that when Nafl Salah, including Tahajjud is performed in congregation, people are sometimes invited to it, they are told about it, or they are encouraged to come to it when they learn about it. In all cases, when they join the congregation, the numbers would increase and the small Jamaat would become a large one, thus making it Makrooh.
If it is not done in an inviting manner and people are not encouraged towards it, then it will be allowed. As such, if one person follows another, or two or three follow him in Nafl Salah, then this will be allowed without being Makrooh since it is not done in an inviting manner.
Regarding this, the Fuqaha have stated, ‘Nafl Salah in congregation is Makrooh when it is done ‘in an inviting manner’ or ‘through mutual invitation’ -this is when four people follow one person (who acts as the Imam)’. Allama Shami explains the above and states, ‘If one person follows another (in the Nafl Salah) or two people follow one person, then it is not Makrooh. However, if three people follow one person, there are differences among the Jurists.
(Hashiya Ibn Abideen 2/500 Zakariya).
Imam Tahtawi has mentioned the statement of the great Hanafi Jurist, Al Halwani who said, ‘If three people follow one person (who is the Imam) in the Nafl Salah, then this is not regarded as ‘by way of inviting’, hence, it will not be Makrooh according to all scholars. However, if four people follow him, then the correct opinion is that it is Makrooh’.
(Tahtawi Ala Maraqi Al Falah 156 Karachi – Kitab AnNawazil 4/580 Darul Ishaat Karachi).
The above explanation given is the official position of the Madhhab of Imam Abu Hanifah and must be adopted.
Therefore, based on what you have mentioned, the allowance for having congregational Salah for Tahajjud and other Nafl Salah would extend only to the maximum amount of three persons behind another person who is regarded as the Imam. It should no go beyond this amount. If there are a number of people, small Jamaats of the amount mentioned above can be formed and they can perform Salah at different places in the masjid.
And Allah Knows best
Mufti Waseem Khan
16/3/2026