Fatwa ID: 04289

Answered by: Maulana Mustafa Umar

Question
 

Is Jummah Salah valid in jails or schools?

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

In the Hanafi school, Jumuah prayer is not normally supposed to be performed except in a large city. Ali said, “There is no Jumuah prayer, except in a large city.”[1]

Also, another requirement in the Hanafi school is that a Muslim leader, or his deputy, be in charge over the area. This is to prevent disputes where different people are leading Jumuah prayers.[2]

However, given the fact that many Muslims live as minorities in non-Muslim lands, and the Jumuah prayer is important to not only get an Islamic reminder but to establish a solid Muslim community and identity, it is allowed and valid in jails and schools as long as it meets all the other requirements of Jumuah prayer.

Only Allah knows best

Written by Maulana Mustafa Umar

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham