As Salaamu Alaikum,

QUESTION:

Must commend your institute for the excellent job in interacting with the public.

  1. In calling the Iqamah before the fard salaah a person does not repeat the words as prescribed but cuts everything in half e.g. haya Allas salah once, hya allal falah once. Is this acceptable?
  2. If 2 people are praying salaah with jamaat, what is the acceptable distance he should be at the side and behind the imam?
  3. Similarly, if more people are praying behind the imam, what is the acceptable distance should they be, behind him? Jazakallah. May Allah reward you in advance!

Wa Alaikum As Salaam,

ANSWER:

With respect to your questions, the following are the answers:-

  1. The words of the Iqamah have been narrated differently in some Ahadith. It is mentioned with the full amount of words like the Adhan, and it is also mentioned with the words being read once instead of being recited twice. Both are acceptable/permissible since they are all evident from authentic Adadith.
  2. If 2 people (male) are performing Salah, then the person who is the Muqtadi (follower) should stand at the right side of the Imam, in the same line with the Imam without any distance at the side or behind. The feet of the follower, especially his heels, should be in line with the heels of the Imam. This is the position which has been mentioned by many Imams of Fiqh and scholars, based upon that which is evident in the Ahadith. However, while this is the correct position, some great scholars from among the Fuqaha have considered it better for the Muqtadi (who is one person) to stand slightly behind the Imam in a manner that his toes are in line with the heels of the Imam. This opinion has been given out of precaution so that while following the Imam in Salah, the Muqtadi may not be ahead of the Imam in the different postures of Salah. (Ila’u Sunan Vol. 4 Page 246 Idarah Al Quran Karachi 1414 AH).
  3. If there are two or more Muqtadis (followers) following the Imam in Salah, then they must stand behind the Imams, in a manner that he stands ahead of them. (Ibid pages 247-248). They must be at such a distance behind the Imam that while making sajdah, the heads of those directly behind the Imam would not touch his feet.

And Allah Knows best

Mufti Waseem Khan

28/08/2022