Q: The population of the city of Guarulhos located near the international airport of ( Sao Paulo ) in ( Brazil ), is about (1,500,000). It has about 130 Muslim families. There is a Masjid (mosque) near Al-Jabbanah Al-Islamiyyah District which has room for 500 people. We offer Jumu`ah (Friday) Prayer in this Masjid. During daily prayers there are about 55 people who perform their regular prayers there. During the two 'Eids (festivals) the number can reach about 200 people. Only about 600 meters away, there is a club where some 15 to 20 people offer Jumu'ah Prayer. In which one of the two is it better to offer Jumu`ah Prayer? Al-Masjid Al-Jami` (the large mosque where Jumu`ah [Friday] Prayers are held) which was established twenty years ago and where Jumu`ah is continuously offered, or the club which was only built three years ago?

A: It is Wajib (obligatory) on you all to congregate for Jumu`ah Prayer in the Masjid and for the five daily prayers whenever possible because the regular congregation of Muslims is desirable and needed. Moreover, it would be better to increase the number of those who are regular in daily prayers in one place. Division among Muslims is impermissible and prayers should be offered in Masjids which are originally built for this purpose. (Part No. 7; Page No. 76) Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: In houses (mosques) which Allâh has ordered to be raised (to be cleaned, and to be honoured), in them His Name is remembered [i.e. Adhan, Iqamah, Salât (prayers), invocations, recitation of the Qur’ân etc.]. Therein glorify Him (Allah) in the mornings and in the afternoons or the evenings, Men whom neither trade nor sale (business) diverts from the Remembrance of Allâh (with heart and tongue), nor from performing As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), nor from giving the Zakât. And : The Mosques of Allâh shall be maintained only by those who believe in Allâh and the Last Day, perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), and give Zakât and fear none but Allâh. He (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the Salât (prayer) on Friday (Jumu‘ah prayer), come to the remembrance of Allâh [Jumu‘ah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salât (prayer)] and leave off business (and every other thing). That is better for you if you did but know! The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said : Whoever hears the Adhan (call to Prayer) and does not come to it (i.e. Salah), then there is no Salah for him except with an excuse. Related by Ibn Majah, Al-Daraqutny, Ibn Hibban and Al-Hakim. Someone asked Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) about the excuse, he replied: ( fear or illness), there are many Hadiths in this regard. You have to congregate and unite in harmony and beware of disunity and difference.May Allah grant us success.May Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions!