Question: During Ramadhan many Huffaaz perform their Taraweeh Salaah at homes, garages, etc in suburban areas in which there is a Madjid. Is it ok for them to read the Esha Salaah at the Taraweeh venue or should Esha Salaah be read in the local Masjid?
Answer: It is narrated from Abu Hurairah Radiyallahu that the Messenger of Allah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said: “I have considered to announce that Salaah be performed whilst I appoint someone to lead the Salaah and subsequently, I will go with some men, taking along some fire wood and burning the homes of those who do not attend Jamaat Salaah in the Masjid” Abu Dawood V1/P88
The afore-mentioned Hadith serve to illustrate to us the virtue and importance that has been attached to performing Salaah with Jama'ah in the Masjid and also serves as an admonition for those who frivolously neglect this obligation.
The Fuqaha have stated that: it is an essential duty upon every baaligh, free and sane male to perform Fardh Salaah with Jama’ah in the Masjid. Consequently, leaving out performing Fardh Salaah with Jama’ah in the Masjid without a valid excuse will be a form of deprivation of the virtue and the benefits attached to performing Fardh Salaah with Jama'ah in the Masjid.
Therefore, if there is a Masjid in the suburb in which one resides or close to the suburb in which one resides then it will be essential to perform the Fardh Salaah with Jama’ah in the Masjid.[ Ahsanul FatawaaV3/P285]
However, if there is no Masjid in the suburb in which one resides or one has to travel more than ten minutes by car to reach a Masjid, then in principle one will not be obliged to travel to a Masjid.
It is not doubt laudable practice for the Huffaaz to gather to perform Taraweeh Salaah. This serves to protect the Qur’an and ensures that they continue to revise the Qur’aan. They must however perform the Esha with Jama’ah in the Masjid. There exists no exception for them to perform the Esha Salaah on their own, or the Taraweeh venue. [Fatawaa Mahmoodiya V7/P625]
And Allah Knows Best
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