If There Is Snow Or Rain, Does That Make It Permissible To Miss Jumu‘ah?
Islamic Rulings -
Living Shariah Verdicts
Islamic Questions & Answers
Did the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah
be upon him) ever miss the Jummaa prayer because of
bad weather. the weather which is meant is about 20cm
of snow.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
There is no report in the Sunnah that the Prophet
(blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) did not
pray Jumu‘ah because of rain or snow; rather he did
not pray it when travelling.
Secondly:
It is permissible to not pray Jumu‘ah and prayers in
congregation in the event of heavy rain, cold wind or
snow which is bothersome to people and makes it
difficult for them to go to Jumu‘ah, because of the
report narrated by al-Bukhaari (901) and Muslim,
according to which Ibn ‘Abbaas (ra) said to his
muezzin on a rainy day: When you say Ashhadu anna
Muhammadan Rasool-Allaah, do not say, Hayya ‘ala al-salaah
(come to prayer); rather say, Sallu fi buyootikum
(pray in your houses). It was as if the people found
that objectionable. He said: One who is better than me
did that. Jumu‘ah is obligatory, but I did not want to
force you to walk in the mud and on slippery ground.
[al-Nawawi] said: This hadeeth indicates that Jumu‘ah
may be waived because of rain and the like. This is
our view and the view of others. Something different
was narrated from Maalik (may Allah have mercy on
him). And Allaah knows best which is correct. End
quote.
The Hanbalis regarded snow as one of the reasons that
make it permissible not to go to Jumu‘ah or prayers in
congregation.
Its says in Kashshaaf al-Qinaa‘ (1/495): Attendance at
Jumu‘ah or prayers in congregation may be waived in
the event of rain, mud, snow, ice or a cold wind on a
dark night, because of the words of Ibn ‘Umar: The
Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)
would ask his caller to call out on a cold or rainy
night when travelling: Pray where you are. Agreed
upon. It was also narrated from Ibn Maajah with a
saheeh isnaad, but he did not say "when travelling."
In al-Saheehayn it was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas that
he said to his muezzin on a rainy day -- Muslim added
that it was a Friday -- … and he narrated the hadeeth
quoted above. And the same applies to snow, ice and
cold.
This confirms that cold wind on a dark night is an
excuse, because it is likely that it will rain. End
quote.
It is well known that many people are not bothered by
snow and it does not prevent them from going to work
and meeting other needs. For these people, snow is no
excuse for them not to attend Jumu‘ah. But if it
bothers them and makes it very hard for them to get to
the mosque, then it is an excuse.
And Allah knows best.
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