Can people who normally gather to pray Zhuhr in congregation gather for Jumu’ah? Does Jumu’ah have to offered in a Masjid? Is there difference in these rulings based on fiqh or national identity?

As salaamu ’alaykum,

Please issue your comments / fatwa for the following:

1)    If some people gather in their office buildings for Zuhr salat, can they also establish Juma salat, even if there is no regular five time prayer, and number of people are very limited?

2)    There are several small masajid or rented halls within a mile distance, and have regular five times prayer, can they have Friday Salat, even the number of people is approx 20-25.  Should they offer Zuhr instead of Friday salat? or gather in a masjid for Friday prayer where attendance is more than 200 and is also within a mile distance in the same city?

  Will there be any different consideration, if the above situation exists due to fiqh (i.e. Hanafi vs. Shaafi or Maaliki) and/or national identity (i.e. Pakistani, Bungladeshi, or Arab Nationals).

Please respond according to the Sheriah and not the custom or culture.  Jazakum Allah Khair.  Wassalaam.

 بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما

The answers to your questions are as follows:

1)    If a group of individuals gather daily to offer zuhr salah in congregation, they may also perform Salat al-Jum’ah on Friday, provided that it is held in a city and not in a village and there are at least four people in the congregation.

2)    In such a situation, Salat al-Jum’ah should be offered, not Zuhr salah. It is permissible to offer Salat al-Jum’ah in multiple locations within one locality; however it is encouraged for there to be a large congregation to promote brotherhood and unity. Nevertheless, if there is a need due to parking restrictions, occupancy limitations, or other similar forms of inconvenience, offering Salat al-Jum’ah in multiple locations would be permissible.  Merely having multiple congregations of Salat al-Jum’ah solely due to difference in ethnicity or school of thought would not be correct.

والله اعلم

And Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala knows best.

Taha Abdulkareem