Sitting and Talking while the Taraaweeh salah is in Progress

Q: Salaah-641: While the Taraaweeh salaah is in progress, some people remain sitting at the back and others engage in conversation and make noise. When the lmaam then proceeds into Ruku, they immediately stand up and join him in Ruku. What is the ruling in this regard?

Answer: There are unfortunately people who do not value the Taraaweeh salaah where the Qur'aan is completed. They would rather sit at the back, conversation and make noise and it is only when the Imaam proceeds into Ruku that they immediately stand up and join him in Ruku. Their action is a result of laziness and resembles that of the Munaafiqeen. The Qur'aan states, "And when they (the Munaafiqeen) stand up for salaah, they stand up lazily. ''

People who remain at the back and engage in conversation become target to the curses of the angels. A Hadith states that when people engage in worldly conversations in the Masjid, the angels advise him saying, "Be silent, O friend of Allaah." If he does not stop, they address him saying, "Be silent. O he whom Allaah hates!" If he still does not stop, they say, "Be silent! May Allaah's curses be on you.

In another Hadith, Rasulullaah SAW. stated, "A time will come when people will hold their worldly discussions in the Masaajid. Never share their company because Allaah has no need for them.

Imagine what a grave sin this is! How can a person have the courage to do this, especially while salaah is in progress? They will be guilty of even more sin if their noise disturbs the people performing salaah. May Allaah guide such people and grant them the ability to forsake their errant ways. Aameen.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.2