Question
In our town we had an Eidgah on a sports field. The Jamaat was mostly Hanafi, but the Khutbah and Namaaz were performed by a Shaafi' Imaam. Before the Namaaz, the method of the Namaaz was explained with 12 extra Takbirs. However, there were numerous musallis who arrived late and were not aware that a Shaafi' would be leading the Salaat. They were totally confused when the extra Takbirs were recited. They went into Ruku' according to the Hanafi Math-hab with the fourth Takbeer. What is the Shariah's ruling regarding this fiasco which we had never experienced during the last almost 30 years?
Answer
The fiasco was the consequence of the stupidity of those in charge of the Eidgah. When most of the musallis were Hanafi, what need had they to appoint a Shaafi' to lead the Salaat? It was the stupid 'unity' concept of the modernists which had led to this fiasco. There is no problem if a Shaafi' leads the Salaat with 12 Takbirs, but in the scenario depicted by you, it was downright stupid. Assuming that there was no Hanafi to lead the Salaat, then the Eid Salaat should have been delayed until all the musallis had arrived in order to educate them properly regarding the extra Takbirs which would be recited in accordance with the Shaafi' Math-hab. Since the difference between the two Math-habs on this issue is of a Mustahab nature, the Eid Salaat of Hanafis behind a Shaafi' Imaam is valid, and also vice versa. The error committed by the Hanifah musallis did not invalidate their Salaat.
Furthermore, a sports field is not a valid Eidgah. Instead of the accursed sports field where considerable haraam, fisq and fujoor are perpetrated, Eid Salaat should be performed in the Musjid if no genuine Eidgah is available.
- Source
- themajlis.co.za
- Published in
- The Majlis Vol 22 No 11
- PDF page
- 3
Appears under Questions and Answers (approximate).