Is the establishment of a central city ('Mişr') a prerequisite for the validity of Jumu'ah prayer?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Friday Prayer
Primary text
The establishment of a central city is not a prerequisite for the validity of Jumu'ah. This view is held by Ibn Umar, Umar bin Abd al-Aziz, al-Awza'i, al-Layth, Makhul, Ikrimah, and al-Shafi'i. The evidence supporting this position is found in the narration of Ka'b bin Malik, who stated that As'ad bin Zurarah was the first to lead the people in Jumu'ah in Hazm al-Nabīt, a location outside the main settlement, narrated by Abu Dawud. Furthermore, it is related from Ibn Abbas that the first Jumu'ah prayer performed after the one in Medina was held in Jawatha in Bahrain, narrated by al-Bukhari.
Supporting text
A dissenting view is attributed to Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, who stated that neither Jumu'ah nor the Eid prayer is valid except in a central gathering city ('mişr jami''). This view is also held by al-Hasan, Ibn Sirin, Ibrahim, Abu Hanifah, and Muhammad bin al-Hasan, based on a narration stating that neither Jumu'ah nor the Eid prayer is valid except in a central gathering city.