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Jumuah in Prison

Question

Is it permitted to perform jumu`ah in prison?

Answer

In principle, the Shaf`i madhhab permits, and even imposes Jumu`ah upon Muslim prisoners, provided that the conditions of Jumu`ah are met. The general conditions applicable are:

• that they be 40 or more in number
• and that at least 40 of them are residents of the city.

Multiple Jumuahs

If inmates from various sections are restricted by prison regulations from gathering for one single Jumuah, they are allowed to perform a Jumuah in every separate section, provided that the above mentioned conditions are met.

The Khatib

The person who will lead the Jumuah prayers must be appointed or approved by a regulatory body which oversees Muslim affairs in prison. In our situation this body is the Muslim Prison Board. It will be permissible for a person/persons thus appointed or approved to visit the prison on Fridays specifically to perform Jumuah for the prisoners.

A crucial condition

In consideration of the particular conditions of prison and prisoners, the permissibility of Jumuah in prison is subject to the overall condition that the Jumuah should not give rise to sedition and strife, or be used in the promotion thereof.

The authority to exercise discretion in deciding whether the performance of Jumuah in prison would be seditious or advantageous to the prison Muslim community is vested in the relevant organisation, which is the Muslim Prison Board.