JUG-2026-7F6QATKFAG
Whether Islam is a condition for a valid congregational prayer
Question
Whether Islam is a condition for a valid congregational prayer
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Answer
Islam is a condition (shart) for the validity of salaah. Because congregational prayer (jama'ah) is an act of worship, only someone whose prayer is valid can be considered part of the congregation.
Al-Hidayah: *وَالإِسْلَامُ شَرْطٌ لِصِحَّةِ الصَّلَاةِ* — "Islam is a condition for the validity of prayer."
Imam al-Kasani: *لأن الكافر ليس من أهل العبادة* — "Because the disbeliever is not from those qualified for acts of worship." (Bada'i al-Sana'i)
Therefore, since a disbeliever is not from ahl al-'ibadah, he cannot participate in a congregational act of worship.
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