Two Jamaa'ahs for the Jumu'ah salaah in One Masjid

Q: Salaah-611: Because of the large crowds especially during the month of Ramadhaan, our Masjid is unable to accommodate all the people for the Zuhr and Jumu'ah salaahs. Some people have suggested that two Jamaa'ahs be made for the Jumu'ah salaah. Can two consecutive Jumu'ah salaahs be performed in one Masjid?

Answer: Two Jumu'ah salaahs cannot be performed in one Masjid. Those who cannot be accommodated should find another Masjid. If this is not possible, arrangements should be made for the salaah to be performed in a large hall or somewh ere else where everyone can be accommodated. And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

Q: Salaah-612: We have only one Masjid here in London in which approximately 400 Musallis can perform salaah at once. During holidays such as Eid and Christmas, we have the following reasons for having the Jumu'ah salaah performed twice:

1. Approximately 800 people attend the Jumu'ah salaah

2. There are no Muslim homes nearby where the second Jumu'ah salaah can be performed

3. A hall cannot be hired because if it is not a Christian celebration, the day is a bank holiday and the people in charge of the hall are unavailable

4. If a second Jamaa'ah is not arranged, people who miss the Jumu'ah salaah hurl abuse at the committee members

5. It is not possible to perform the salaah in an open field because of inclement weather and because this would require permission from the government

In the light of the above, will it be permissible for us to have the Jumu'ah salaah performed twice in our Masjid?

Answer: The Fuqahaa have permitted the performance of the Jumu'ah salaah in several venues within the same city when the need arises. Therefore, when there are many Musallis, the people of every locality may have the Jumu'ah salaah performed in their locality. There is no need to have the other venues in the vicinity of the Masjid. Announcements should be made to inform the people where the Jumu'ah salaah will be performed so that the people of each locality can go where it is most convenient for them.

Since the Masjid is not large enough. it is the call of every person's Imaan to make arrangements for lbaadah. The question concerns not only the Jumu'ah salaah, but all of the five daily salaahs. The need is therefore apparent to build other Masaajid and if this is difficult because of legal restrictions, make arrangements for Ibaadat Khanas. The five daily salaahs with regular Adhaan ought to take place here so that the children may also come for salaah and get into the habit of doing so. Rasulullaah SAW. said, "Command your children to perform salaah when they are seven years of age and punish them for neglecting it when they are ten.

At the same time. 5,'ou should make arrangements for your children to receive Deeni education because you are Well aware of the dangers posed by your environment. If they are not imbued with Islaamic beliefs and ideologies from a young age, it will be extremely difficult to influence them later. The danger Is then imminent that we will lose the entire generation. We must therefore look ahead for the future of our children and arrange all that it necessary for the protection of their Imaan.
It is wrong for a Muslim to perform only the Jumu'ah and Eid salaahs because the five daily salaahs are just as important. More Masaajid therefore need to be erected.
When the Jumu'ah salaah has already been performed at one venue, it is not permissible to perform it there again. In fact, Shaami (Vol.1 Pg. 766) states that the Jaami Masjid should be locked after the Jumu'ah salaah so that other people do not perform the Jumu'ah salaah there a second time.

Permission cannot be granted for the Jumu'ah salaah to be performed twice at the same venue because it will then become a trend. Arrangements should therefore be made for the people of every locality to have a Masjid in their locality. Announcements should then be made to inform the people where the Jumu'ah salaah will be performed so that the people of each locality can go where it is most convenient for them. When people arrange long in advance for their weddings and functions to take place in halls, why can this not be done for the Jumu'ah salaah? And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.2