The Eid and Jumu'ah salaah in a Village that has become a Town

Q: Salaah-277: What do the Ulema of Deen and the Muftis have to say about our town of Chaapi that was only a little village a few years ago, but has now grown into a town with a population of approximately four thousand. If the students studying at the Madrasahs and schools are added, the number increases by six hundred. The town has its own marketplace where everything is found and where there are approximately 250 shopkeepers who even pay taxes to the government. There is a railway station here where all trains stop, even the mail train. The town is considered to be a central point for all the neighbouring villages and the traders from these places all come here to buy their supplies. There is a courtroom, a post- office and telegraph and telephone facilities. There is even electricity in the town. Furthermore, there is a police station, government and private hospitals, a veterinary dispensary, a bank and two Masjids. We have a Madrassah teaching Arabic studies that has a role of 350 and there is also a primary and a secondary school. In short, we have all the necessary amenities, trading facilities, artisans and even a stable that rears animals.

The question is whether the Eid and Jumu'ah salaahs are Waajib (compulsory) here or not because we have not had either before? Ulema travelling by say that we are guilty of forsaking the Jumu'ah salaah. Will we really be guilty of this sin?

Answer: A place will be regarded as a town or a city by the definition of the populace. If chaapi is regarded as a town by the people of the town and by those of neighbouring areas, it will be regarded as a town even in the context of the Shari'ah. Therefore the Eid and Jumu'ah salaahs may be performed there without any doubt. It will therefore be necessary to establish these salaahs there. And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.2