Fatwa ID: 03897

Answered by: Maulana Muqtaur Rahman

Question

What is the proof for the minimum requirement for Jama’at in the 4 Schools? For Ahnaaf it is minimum four, but what about the other schools? Jazakumullahu Khayran

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

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

Answer:

The Prophet (pbuh) has mentioned: “When the time for the prayer becomes due, then one of you should pronounce its call (i.e. the Adhan), and the eldest of you should lead you in prayer.”[1]

The hadith above indicates two people enough to uphold a congregational prayer.

Imam Ibn Qudamah also brings in the opinion of the Hambali School of Fiqh, that two people is sufficient to perform a Jama’at (congregational prayer).[2]

He also mentions: “I have not seen a difference in this topic”[3]

Therefore, according to all the four schools of Islamic Fiqh, the minimum number of people required for a Jama’at (congregational prayer) is two people; one being the imam and another being the musalli.[4]

Finally, just to clarify the Ahnaf opinion of minimum of four people is in relation to Jumuah (Friday prayers) not Jama’at (Congregational Prayers).

Only Allah knows best

Written by Maulana Muqtaur Rahman

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham