Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

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:

My point of View 1).

However, it is best or preferred to say the sunnah prayers in one’s own house and not in the mosque, if possible and feasible. The Prophet (Sal) said: “The best prayer of a person is his prayer in his house, except for the obligatory prayers. (al-Nasai & others) “The similitude of a house wherein Allah’s name is mentioned and that wherein Allah’s name is not mentioned is like the living and the dead.” (al-Bukhari/Muslim).

2). (Jumu`ah)

IBN Umar said :The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) never prayed after the Friday prayer until he departed (from the mosque ) and he would then pray two rakats at home) recorded by al-Bukhari

3). Fiqh-us-Sunnah

Fiqh 2.28 Praying tarawih in congregation

It is allowed to pray tarawih of the month of Ramadan in a congregation just as it is allowed to pray them on an individual basis. The majority of the scholars, however, prefer to pray them in congregation. The

Prophet sallallahu alehi wasallam, as stated earlier, prayed tarawih in congregation with the Muslims but he discontinued since he feared that it would be made obligatory.

In view of (1) above - All Sunna prayers at home ( tarawih included) are also meritorious.

Is this correct ?

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Answer:

Sunnah prayers better at home

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 no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: In view of (1) above - All Sunna prayers at home ( tarawih included) are also meritorious.

Is this correct ?

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 1039 Narrated by Zayd ibn Thabit

The Prophet (saws) said: ‘The prayer a man offers in his house is more excellent than his prayer in this mosque of mine, except obligatory prayer.’

All the scholars in Islam are unanimous in their opinion that in light of the above authentic hadith and the established Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws), the Sunnah or Nafl prayers a believer prays in his house are more excellent and more meritorious than if prayed in the mosques.

It was the preferred Sunnah or tradition of the Messenger of Allah (saws) that he would pray the obligatory prayers in congregation in the mosque, and the voluntary prayers in his house.

The ‘tarawih’ prayers are Sunnah prayers, and thus more meritorious and more excellent if one performs these voluntary prayers in one’s house in comparison to offering them in the mosques.

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

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan