constitutes a deficiency in the prayer itself, whereas missing the congregation is a deficiency in something external to the prayer. This is because praying in congregation is obligatory for the prayer, while safeguarding what pertains to the essence of the act of worship takes precedence over safeguarding what pertains to something external to it. Therefore, we say: maintaining the performance of the prayer with composure and presence of heart takes precedence over attending the congregation or the Friday prayer.
- Retaining these two impure matters while struggling to hold them back causes clear physical harm. Allah has made their elimination a relief for a person; thus, retaining them goes against the natural disposition upon which man was created. This is a medical principle: everything that goes against nature has harmful effects upon the body. From this, the harms of the pills women use to delay menstruation become clear, for their harm is very evident, as physicians have testified.
“And whoever has food before him that he needs, or fears the loss of his property, its being missed, or harm coming to it, ...”
His statement, “and whoever has food before him that he needs”: this is a third category. A person who has food before him—that is, food has been brought to him and he needs it—is excused from missing the Friday prayer and the congregational prayer, provided that he is able to eat it.
For example, a hungry man has food brought before him while he hears the iqamah. He faces one of two alternatives: if he goes to the mosque, his heart will be preoccupied with the food because of his hunger; but if he eats, he will be at ease and his hunger will be satisfied. So we say: Eat; there is no blame upon you. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “When dinner is served, begin with it before praying the Maghrib prayer.” (1) Thus, he instructed us to begin with it.