and once its appointed moment arrives, it takes precedence over the Friday and congregational prayers. If the ruler—such as the muḥtasib (market inspector) or any other authority—were to absent himself from the Friday prayer on certain days in order to see who neglects it and then discipline him, that would be permissible. This is counted among the legitimate excuses that lift the obligation of attending Friday prayer. Punishing those offenders is an individual duty that cannot be carried out except through this means. The Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—clarified that were it not for the women and children, he would have burned the houses down upon their occupants; yet those houses contain women and children for whom neither the Friday nor the congregational prayer is obligatory, and it is therefore unlawful to punish them. In the same way, a pregnant woman is not to be stoned until she has delivered, because killing the unborn child is impermissible, as mentioned in the ḥadith of the Ghamīdiyyah woman.