with the imam himself presiding over the Friday prayer, the two Eid prayers, and leading the pilgrims.
“Or if he authorizes it. If the two are equal in having authorization or in lacking it, then the second is invalid, …”
His statement, “or if he authorizes it,” means: if he does not personally conduct it—for example, if the imam’s city is elsewhere and he is not present in the city where multiple Friday prayers are being held, but he says, “I authorize you to establish two or more Friday prayers.” This issue is not based on the author’s earlier statement, “The imam’s authorization is not a condition for it,” because authorization by the imam there is not a condition for establishing a single Friday prayer. As for holding multiple Friday prayers, however, the imam’s authorization is necessary.
The difference between the two is clear. In the first case, if we were to say that the imam’s authorization is required in order to establish the Friday prayer, then obligatory acts of worship would be subject to the discretion of the rulers. But holding multiple Friday prayers requires the imam’s authorization, lest people act independently of his authority and the ummah become divided. This matter relates, on the one hand, to religion, and on the other, to the administration of the state.
It relates to religion because the religion forbids us from becoming divided concerning Allah’s religion. Allah the Exalted says:
“Hold fast, all together, to the rope of Allah, and do not be divided.” [Al Imran 3:103]
And He says:
“Establish the religion and do not be divided therein.” [Al-Shura 42:13]
As for its relation to the administration of the state, the ruler is the one whose word is authoritative. Thus, establishing a second Friday prayer constitutes acting independently of the imam’s authority. Each group of people might then wish to assume leadership of the town and establish a Friday prayer in its own locality.
His statement, “If the two are equal in having authorization or in lacking it, then the second is invalid,” means that the two Friday prayers are equal with respect to authorization or its absence: either the imam has authorized both of them, or he has authorized neither of them. From this, we know that there are three possible cases: