The Congregational Prayer

The Congregational Prayer is equal to 27 prayers prayed alone. It is incumbent that we preserve it. It is considered as thus even if it is just one follower and a prayer leader. If there is only one follower, he stands to the right of the prayer leader. If there are more than two, they stand behind the prayer leader. The prayer leader intends to lead the prayer and the followers intend to follow.

Important Matters Concerning Congregational Prayer

The follower must follow the prayer leader in what he does. When the prayer leader says: (Allāhu Akbar), the follower says the same. When the prayer leader bows, the follower bows. When the prayer leader says: (Sami’ Allāhu liman hamidah), the follower says: (Rabbanā lakal-hamd). It is not permissible for the follower to precede the leader in anything.

When the prayer leader recites audibly, it is obligatory for the follower to listen and not recite. The recitation of the prayer leader suffices for those following.

When you give the final salutations, intend to greet the angels as well as those praying next to you.

In the case of women’s congregational prayers, the female prayer leader stands in the middle of the prayer line. In every prayer line, there is one female prayer leader. No one prays behind the female prayer leader.