I am a college student, studying away from home. When I suggested to my mother that I might want to eat less and fast more, she said no, and she was upset. Should I listen, or do it and not tell her?

Your attitude to please your mother to the best of your ability is highly commendable as it is an act of great virtue. We advise that you discuss with your mother the importance of males performing Salaat in the Musjid.

Probably, she is not acquainted with its importance and therefore she gets upset. Refer below on the importance of performing Salaat in Jamaat.

As regards keeping Nafl fasts. You should be moderate. First consider your health. If you have no health concerns, then you may keep the Sunnah fasts of only two times a week (Mondays and Thursdays). If that affects your studies and your daily work, then preference should be given to your basic responsibilities over keeping Nafl (voluntary) fasts.

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.

1. Salaat in the Musjid with the Jamaa`h, according to the terminology of the Fuqahaa (Jurists) is Sunnah Muakkadah (emphasised Sunnah ), thus, if a man does not go to the Musjid for Jamaa`h and offers Salaat at home without a valid Shar'ee excuse, for example, illness, rain, etc. his prayer will be valid, but incurs the displeasure of Allah Ta'ala for having neglected a great Sunnah. (Ma'ariful Qur'aan vol.1 pg.216)
2. If a person hears the Adhaan, it will be Waajib for that person to perform Salaat with Jamaat.
3. If a person is unable to perform Salaat with Jamaa`h because of his work situation, he should look for an alternate employment where he will be able to perform his Salaat with Jamaa`h. A person in university must try to perform Jamaa`h with his colleagues after the lessons.

Importance of Salaat
`Iqaamah` does not refer to merely performing Salaat. Aside from exercising due care in the performance of the fardh, wajib and Mustahab actions of Salaat, `Iqaamah` also includes constancy and punctuality in Salaat. (Ma' ariful Quraan Vol.1 Pg.111)

Mufti Muhammed Shafi' Saheb (R.A) writes: "An eminent group of the Sahaba, Ta'abieen and the Jurists are of the opinion that Salaat with jamaat is compulsory and to omit it is a sin. In fact a group among the Sahaba negate the validity of the Salaat performed individually without a valid Shari' excuse. (Ma'ariful Quraan)

The Ahaadith are replete with warnings for those who deliberately (without a valid Shari' excuse) forego Salaat with jamaat. In one Hadith Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) is reported to have said: "By that Being who has control over my life, I intend gathering some firewood. I would then instruct somebody to call out the Azaan and perform the Salaat while I go and set fire to the homes of those people who perform their Salaat in their houses without any proper excuse." (Sahih Bukhari Vol.1 Pg.89)

Another Hadith declares: "Had it not been for the women and children, I would have had someone perform the Salaat and instructed some of the youngsters to go and burn down their homes." (Mishkaat Pg.97 from Musnad Ahmed) In yet another Hadith Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) is reported to have said: "The most difficult Salaats on the hypocrites are Esha and Fajr. However, had they known the reward of performing those Salaat with jamaat, they would have performed them even if they had to crawl to the Musjid." (Sahih Bukhari Vol.1 Pg.90)

In a narration of Abu Dawood, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) is to reported to have said: " He who hears the azaan but fails to go the Musjid, without a valid (Shari') excuse, the Salaat that he has performed (at home) is not accepted." Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) was asked: "What is a valid excuse?" He replied: "Illness or fear." (Mishkaat Pg.97)

The illness and fear mentioned above refers to such fear and illness that actively prevents one from joining the congregation for Salaat.

Once a blind man came to Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) and said: "O Rasul of Allah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam), I have no guide. Can I perform my Salaat at home." Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) permitted him to do so. When the blind man turned to leave, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) called him back and asked: "Can you hear the azaan (at home)?" He replied in the affirmative. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) then said: "In that case you must attend the jamaat (regardless of your situation)." (Sahih Muslim Vol.1 Pg.232)

The sheer importance of jamaat is clearly highlighted in this Hadith. How can the lacksadaisical attitude which we entertain in this regard be tolerated!?

Ibn Masood (Radhiallaahu Anhu) says; "The one who wishes to meet Allah Ta'ala as a Muslim on the day of judgement, should be punctual in the performance of his Salaat on hearing the azaan. Allah Ta'ala has prescribed the clear ways of guidance for his Rasul (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam). These Salaat too are among those ways of guidance. If you too will adopt the way of those who perform their Salaat at their homes, you will be abandoning the way of Rasul (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam), hence you would be led astray. The one who performs wudhu and leaves for the Musjid, for every step he takes he gets one reward, one of his sins are forgiven and his stages are elevated in Jannah. In the time of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) only an open hypocrite would not join the jamaat. Even the sick person would be carried by two people and brought to the Musjid to perform his Salaat with jamaat. (Ibid)

Let us read these authentic Ahaadith repeatedly and let us then reflect upon the condition of the Ummah. These Ahaadith should imbibe within us a strong will to make an all-out effort towards self-rectification as well as towards attempting to improve the condition of the Ummah, the first and immediate focus of our efforts being our families.

While the warnings are severe for neglecting Salaat with jamaat, likewise the rewards for performing Salaat with congregation are also tremendous.

The Salaat performed with jamaat is twenty seven times more superior than the Salaat performed individually. (Sahih Bukhari Vol.1 Pg.89) Similarly, the one who performs his Esha Salaat with jamaat gets the reward for having spent half the night in ibaadat(worship). If he then performs his Fajr Salaat with jamaat, he gets the reward for spending the entire night in ibaadat. (Sahih Muslim Vol.1 Pg.232) A little effort will not only save one from the excruciating punishment of the hereafter but will also earn one great reward.