What is the ruling when the eclipse prayer coincides with an obligatory prayer made in congregation?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of the Eclipse Prayers (Solar and Lunar)
Primary text
Obligatory prayers performed in congregation are prioritized over the eclipse prayer under all circumstances. This is because prioritizing the eclipse prayer over the obligatory one leads to hardship, as it obligates attendees to perform a non-obligatory, lengthy prayer while they must wait for the obligatory one, and some attendees may be weak, elderly, or have needs. The Prophet, peace be upon him, commanded the shortening of obligatory prayers so as not to burden the followers; thus, imposing hardship with a long, arduous prayer that is not obligatory is less appropriate.