Praying in a mosque where people neither fill the gaps nor say Aameen loudly
29-3-2010 | IslamWeb
Question:
AsalamoAlikum Actually I sent a question on similar issue but did not get a complete answer( I was referred to answer to similar question). I Request brothers to answer me on this. I got cleared from Islamweb that praying behind Ahnaf is allowed but even after this permission there is a big issue. Ahnafs do not join their feets during qayaam in congregation and if I try to do that whilst praying with them there is always a high probability that they might get offended. Moreover if I say Ameen loudly than same outcome is expected. What should I do given that Ahnaf's Masjid is nearby and my parents get offended if I try to go far away. Will my salat not count if i do not join the feet just like they dont. Would it be ok for me to say ameen quietly whilst praying with them. May Allah reward you on this. I seriously need help on this.
Answer:
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
According to the view of the majority of the scholars 
straightening the lines is a Sunnah and not an obligation. Therefore, it is permissible for you to pray in that mosque while not straightening the lines as they should be. However, you should endeavor to get as close as possible to the person standing next to you and not leave a gap if possible in a way that would entail harm. Also, you should teach the people in that mosque the Sunnah and mention to them the Ahaadeeth narrated on this issue hoping that they will take heed.
As regards saying ‘Aameen, it is also a Sunnah and not an obligation on the person led in prayer according to the view of the majority of the scholars . Hence, if you do not say ‘Aameen at all, your prayer is valid, and if you say it silently, then it is more proper that your prayer be valid and acceptable Inshaa’ Allaah. Indeed, saying ‘Aameen loudly or silently is a controversial issue among the scholars. Imaam Ibn Taymiyyah 
stated that abandoning some desirable things during the prayer in order to reconcile between the hearts of the people is something legislated. However, if you advise them and discuss the matter with them and clarify to them the evidence about that, then this is better.
Moreover, you should invite them to abandon fanaticism and teach them that the Sunnah is the most important matter that a person is supposed to follow. Also, clarify to them that we respect all the Imaams, and because we completely respect them, we should follow the Sunnah if it is contrary to their sayings because they themselves advised us to do so.
For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 108404, 90999, 82358 and 83321.