Advice for a brother who will not pray in jamaat next to someone he dislikes.: hat are some things I can do to help facilitate bringing the young people to accept offering prayer congregationally?

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatu. Masha'allah for your services. I have not had much experience with a well established Islamic community so my heart is overjoyed to have a resources to where questions can be asked. I am seeking your advice on how to facilitate congregational prayer on a college campus. I am apart of a muslim student group and we offer prayers most always during our meetings. However, there are some students who choose not to pray for various reasons which seem misguided from the principles of Al-Islam (some won't pray if they had indulged in alcohol the evening before- others don't feel it is "incorrect" for them to pray at the meeting if they do not otherwise offer salat regularly). One student is of particular concern to me. He says he will not offer salat in jamaat at our meetings when a few students whom he dislikes are present. He feels uncomfortable praying next to those he holds animosity for and so will sit out. His reasons center around prayer being a time when he strives to strengthen his relationship with Allah (swt) and he feels unable to do so in the presence of those whom he does not like as it is a strong distraction for him. Please, I would much appreciate any suggestions you have for the brother so I may pass them on. I have strong belief that this is incorrect reasoning but I have been unable to find any ruling on such a matter so I wanted to check. Is this an acceptable reason for not offering salaat in a congregation? As a representative of the organization, what are some things I can do to help facilitate bringing the young people to accept offering prayer congregationally? Many of the students do not offer salaat regularly on their own so I try to strongly encourage salaat in jamaat so that we can help support one another. Shukran Jazilan.

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Answer:

Prayer in congregation - dislikes some one

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Brother offering salah in its prescribed time is one of the pillars of the Islamic faith. The difference between a kafir and a believer is the offering of the prayers in their prescribed time.

First Brother you should propagate the reading of the Noble Quran in a language that one can understand. In your student meetings you should make it habit to start the conference by reading a passage of the Quran, then explain/read the meaning and maybe have an open discussion on that passage. Do not read more than 5-7 ayahs at a time.

Offering salah in their prescribed time is obligatory. It will be counted as a major sin if one misses their obligatory prayers for any reason. The excuses of missing prayers like you don't like some people in the congregation etc. will not hold weight on that inevitable Day of Qiyamah.

It is important that you inform your friends the importance of offering the obligatory prayers. Just imagine the audacity of some who call themselves Muslims sitting idly whilst the majority are congregating for the salah on frivolous matters. There is definitely a lack of serious Islamic training in their homes. They have taken Islam very lightly at their peril.

Those that say they cannot concentrate on their prayers whilst some amongst them are having animosity between them should be reminded to think and reflect if their this attitude will hold any weight before our Majestic Lord. The obligatory prayers have to be established in their prescribed times. Each person is praying to his Creator. Do we not take knowledge when we are amongst those that we do not like? Do we not eat in the same dining room when some amongst us are not our friends? Do we not shop, see a movie in a theater, play sport on the same field when there are people we do not get along?

If you want to receive the reward of passing on knowledge about Islam to your student friends, then Brother first you must begin to read the Noble Quran in a language you can understand as much as is easy for you. Soon you will find you will have many topics to discuss and impart to your friends. Guide them also to read the Noble Quran and then you all can have regular discussion for better understanding of this Deen of Truth.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is only ones. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brothers and well wishers in Islam,

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