Is it permissible for a follower to change from congregational prayer to individual prayer without a valid reason? And if they do change in this case, what is the ruling on their prayer?
[AR_ID:1092]
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1 Answer
Peace be upon you.
Sayyid Sistani: It is permissible to change from congregational prayer to individual prayer. However, if the follower chooses to change to individual prayer during the prayer, there is a question regarding the validity of their congregational prayer, whether they intended to be individual from the beginning or decided to do so during the prayer. Nevertheless, this does not invalidate the prayer unless they neglect the duties of an individual prayer. It is recommended to repeat the prayer in such cases, for example, if they bowed twice to follow the imam. However, if they neglected something that can be excused due to a valid reason, there is no need to repeat the prayer, such as if they decided to change after the time for recitation has passed or after adding an extra prostration for following the imam.
Source: Minhaj al-Salihin, Vol. 1, Issue 783.
Sayyid Khamenei: It appears that changing from following the imam to individual prayer is permissible - even voluntarily - in all situations of the prayer, even if they intended this from the beginning. However, it is recommended to avoid changing unless there is a necessity, even if it is a worldly one, especially in the second scenario.
Source: Special Inquiry.