Forming a second Jamaa'h in the mosque after the initial prayer
25-5-2005 | IslamWeb
Question:
Can you please clarify in light of Quran and Hadeeth the concept of more than one Jamaa'h for Salaat in the same mosque? Not at the same time but one after the other. As far as I know the Quran says that when Quran is being recited then be quiet and listen to it. When the second Jamaa'h is being done then how can the ones from the first one do Thikr or offer Sunnah?
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. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
The jurists
differed regarding the ruling of forming a second congregation in the mosque. The first opinion is that it is disliked to form a second congregation in a mosque which has an appointed Imaam and a congregation. The evidence about this is that At-Tabaraani
reported that the Prophet 
came from the suburbs of Madeenah in order to pray in the mosque but he found that the people have already prayed. So he returned to his home and prayed with his family. Since he did not pray in the mosque, this means that it is disliked to form a second congregation in the same mosque. In addition to this, saying that it is permissible to make another congregation in the mosque may decrease the first congregation in number, because, if people know that if they miss the first congregation they would join the second congregation, then they would not hasten or be keen to pray with the first congregation and there is harm in this, but if they know that there is only one congregation they would hasten to join it and hence this congregation will be bigger in number. The view that it is disliked to form a second congregation is the view of the majority of scholars.
The second opinion: The Hanbali School is of the view that it is not disliked to form another congregation in a mosque which has an appointed Imaam and they provided many evidences in this regard. At-Tirmithi reported that a man came to the mosque and found that the prayer in congregation was over. So the Prophet said to the companions: "Who amongst you can volunteer and pray with this man?" So one man stood up and prayed with him. This is evident that it is permissible to form a second congregation after the first congregation has finished the prayer. This view is probably the closest to the truth. However, this does not mean that the second congregation is permitted to raise their voice in a way to disturb the other people in the mosque. The Prophet said: "You should not raise their voice over others in prayer [in a way to disturb them]." [Ahmad] Nonetheless, the people in the mosque are not obliged to listen to the recitation of the second congregation. The saying of Allaah (which means): {So, when the Quran is recited, listen to it, and be silent that you may receive mercy [i.e. during the compulsory congregational prayers when the Imaam (of a mosque) is leading the prayer (except chapter Al-Faatihah), and also when he is delivering the Friday prayer Khutbah].}[Quran 7:204]. Allaah knows best, but this addresses the people led in prayer. Moreover, the saying of the Prophet clarifies this meaning: "The Imaam is appointed to be followed, when he says 'Allaahu Akbar', you should say 'Allaahu Akbar' and when he recites, you should listen to him." [Muslim] Besides, Abu Hurayrah 
narrated that, "They used to talk during the prayer, and when the above verse [and other verses in the same context] was revealed, they were ordered to listen."
Also, Ibn Mas'ood narrated that "We used to say Salaam to each other during the prayer then the verse {So, when the Quran is recited, listen to it, and be silent that you may receive mercy.} was revealed."
Allaah knows best.