(extracted from Ahsanul Fataawa, vol. 1, page 371-373)
By Mufti Abdur Rashid Ludhanvi (Alahi Rahma)
Question: What is the esteemed opinion of the Ulama-e-Kiraam regarding the now customary
gathering of people in the Musaajid on the nights of the two Eids, 15th Sha’baan, the last ten nights
of Ramadhaan and other auspicious nights, to recite Qur`aan Majeed, make Thikr, etc. ? Some
Musaajid even make special arrangements for the delivering of lectures on these nights. What is the
Shar`i status of these actions?
Answer: There are three scenarios regarding the performance of Ibaadat in the Musaajid on these
nights:
1). This is when people come to the Musjid informally without any special arrangement,
and engage in tilaawat, Thikr, etc. This is permissible, but it is more meritorious and rewarding
to perform Nafl Salaat and make tilaawat at home. In fact, there is even more reward to perform
these acts of Ibaadat at home than in Musjid-e-Haraam (Makkah Mukarramah) and in Musjid-e-
Nabawi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). In this regard, it is stated in a hadith, “It is reported from Zaid
bin Thaabit (radhiallahu anhu) that Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, ‘The (Nafl) Salaat of a
person in his home is more rewarding than his Salaat in my (this) Musjid, except The Maktoobah
(Fardh Salaats).’” [Abu Dawood]
“It is also reported from him that Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, ‘The best Salaat, is the
Salaat of a man in his home, except The Maktoobah.” [Narrated by all besides Ibn Majah-Nailil
Autaar]
2).This is when special arrangements are made for coming to the Musjid. This is a bid`ah. The
reason for this is that when special arrangements are made for coming to the Musjid for Nafl Salaat,
it implies a greater reward for its performance, and this is tantamount to altering the Shariah. This is
in clear conflict to the blessed words of Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) who clearly stated that
there is greater reward in performing Nafl Salaat at home as opposed to the Musjid.
3). When special arrangements are made on the auspicious nights, where people gather at the
Musaajid to either perform extra Nafl Salaat or where a lecture is given, are also acts of Bid`ah. The
gravity and evil of this Bid`ah is even greater than the previous one (i.e. No.2 above). The one evil
is as outlined above. The second evil is that Nafl acts of Ibaadat are executed in congregational
form, which is prohibited in the Shariah.
Some people complain that there are too many distractions at the home, where the children make a
noise, etc. which prevents proper concentration and meditation. This is a shaitaani deception. The
actual import of khushoo’ (concentration and meditation) is to execute the Ibaadaat in accordance
with the Sunnat. When an act of Ibaadat is carried out in accordance to the Sunnat, then Khushoo’
and khudhoo’ is also accomplished. If the act is carried out contrary to the Sunnat, then regardless
of what concentration there is, it will not be regarded as khushoo’. It is worth considering that our
Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) executed his Tahajjud and other Nafl Salaats with great diligence
and consistency at home and he also regarded this performance at the home to be more meritorious
than in a Musjid. Today, we say that we cannot find concentration and khushoo’ at home! This is
clearly a shaitaani deception. It is reported in the Ahaadith that Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam)
used to perform his Nafl Salaat in his room, whilst Hadhrat Aishah (radhiallahu anha) had her feet
stretched out beside him. When he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) would make Sajdah then he would
touch her feet whereafter she would move it aside. When Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) would
stand up for the second Rakaat, then Hadhrat Aishah (radhiallahu anha) would once again stretch
out her feet. The nights were dark; there was no lamp, the room was so small that if one person was
lying down, there was barely space for another to make Sajdah comfortably. The Musjid was so
close to this room, that as soon as one stepped out of the room, one would be stepping into the
Musjid. And then also, we are referring here to none other than Musjid-e-Nabawi (sallallahu alaihi
wasallam), whose great virtue is well-known. Notwithstanding this, the blessed action of our great
Benefactor (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), was that he preferred to perform his Nafl Salaat in his
room, instead of the Musjid (owing to the greater virtue of performing Nafl at home).
Besides this, people aver that if Salaat is performed in isolation at home, then sleep overcomes one
faster than if it were performed in the Musjid in congregation or if one is listening to some lecture
in the Musjid. In this congregational form, they say, there is greater chance of engaging in many
forms of Ibaadat with more ease than doing it at home, where one will barely be able to achieve
even half of what can be executed at the Musjid.
Understand well! The objective of making Ibaadat does not lie in its quantity. The entire reward and
objective of Ibaadat is based on its manner of fulfilment. That little Ibaadat which is carried out
in accordance to the Sunnat is countless times more beneficial and rewarding than that which
is done contrary to the Sunnat. The Sunnat method is this that as long as one’s disposition (health,
alertness, etc.) allows, one should engage in Nafl Ibaadat, and as soon as one becomes tired and
sleepy, then rest should be taken. In this regard it is reported in a Hadith, “Hadhrat Anas
(radhiallahu anhu) reports that Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) once entered the Musjid and
found a rope tied between two pillars. He asked, ‘What is (the meaning of) this?’ The Sahaabah
(radhiallahu anhum) replied, ‘This is for Zainub. When she gets tired (whilst performing Nafl
Salaat), she leans on it and it give her support.’ He said, ‘Untie it! You should perform (Nafl)
Salaat whilst alert, and when you get tired or sleepy, then take rest.’” In another Hadith it is stated,
“Then you should sit down.” [Muslim]
“It is also reported from Hadhrat Aishah (radhiallahu anha) who said, ‘Rasulullah (sallallahu
alayhi wasallam) once came to me whilst there was some lady with me. He asked, ‘Who is this?’ I
replied, ‘This lady does not sleep, she (continuously) makes Salaat.’ He said, ‘That much (ibaadat)
is binding on you, which you are able to carry out. I take an oath in Allaah Ta'ala’s Name that
Allaah does not tire when you tire, and the best (path in) Deen for you is that upon which you are
constant.’ It is reported in another Hadith from Aishah (radhiallahu anha), ‘Take from acts of
Ibaadat that which you are able to carry out, I take an oath in the Name of Allaah Ta`ala, Allaah
does not get tired when you get tired.’” [Sheikhain]
And Allaah Ta`ala knows best.
Addition by Mufti Elias:
Moreover these days the matter worsens when there is extensive “Taadihi” (Calling) which is not
proven in the Shariat. This “Calling” which establishes its ‘Bidat’ status is done via posters, leaflets,
Radio and T.V. announcements.
Further congregational night vigils are not also proven in the Shariat. In fact according to the Hanafi
Scholars congregational Nafl Salaat is Makrooh Taharmi.
Further – these night gatherings in the Masjids eventually lead to waste of time in feeding
procedures and totally unnecessary groupings of gossiping, backbiting, and slandering, also in many
instances promoting personality projection and over lauding of ‘heroes’.
One should rather properly execute those actions which conform to the Shariat; although it be better
than indulging in superficial quantity which is contrary to Shariat and tantamount to Bidat.
May Allaah Ta’ala protect us in these times when bidat is promoted under the guise of gaining
proximity to Allaah Ta’ala.
P.S. Read, circulate and print.
1427 - 2006