The Shāfiʿī jurists, however, consider it preferable to perform the prayer in the mosque—provided it is spacious enough—because the mosque is nobler and cleaner than any other place. Should the mosque prove too small, the sunnah is to conduct the prayer in the open plain. Nonetheless, the position upheld by the majority is sounder, and it is the practice upon which the Muslims have long acted; and to Allah belongs all praise.