Congregational Supplication
Q. "It
is noticed lately, in some Mosques, that supplications (Du'a) is offered
in congregation, lead by the Imam with loud and piercing voice, sight
frequently observed in normal days, and particularly during Ramadan in
the Lailatul Qadr. Is there any justification for such congregational
prayers in Shariah? If not, what is the prescribed way for the person
leading the prayers (Imam) to make supplication?
A. Congregational supplication, is never reported to be performed
by the Holy Prophet ( Sallaho Alaihai Wasallam ) in the manner explained
in your question. It appears from the relevant ahadith that in the days
of the Holy Prophet ( Sallaho Alaihai Wasallam ) he used to pray on his
own, even after salah. But at the same there is no clear injunction in
the Holy Qur'an or in the Sunnah which prohibits such congregational supplication.
In view of both these aspects, the correct position is that congregational
supplications are neither a sunnah nor something prohibited.
It is only one of the several permissible ways of performing supplications.
However, if somebody takes this congregational method as obligatory or
as a sunnah of the Holy Prophet ( Sallaho Alaihai Wasallam ), then this
wrong concept will render this practice a "bid'ah" (innovation),
hence impermissible, because a practice which was not obligatory or a
sunnah at the time of the Holy Prophet ( Sallaho Alaihai Wasallam ) cannot
be held as such after him. It will be a selfcoined addition to the prescribed
ways of worship, which is termed as bid'ah in the words of the Holy Prophet
( Sallaho Alaihai Wasallam ) and is strictly prohibited.
In the light of this principle, if the congregational way of supplication
is adopted only for the convenience of the audience, without taking this
particular manner as an obligatory method or a sunnah of the Holy Prophet
( Sallaho Alaihai Wasallam ) it is quite permissible in Shariah. But if
this method is observed with a belief of its being obligatory or a sunnah,
it is not allowed.
It is noticed that where congregational supplications are permanently
observed, it sometimes creates an impression that such collective supplication
is a necessary part of the Salah, since this impression is not correct
position as mentioned above.
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