Is performing the Jumu'ah prayer within permanent buildings a condition for its validity?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Friday Prayer

Book 4 · Issue 2 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

The validity of the Jumu'ah prayer does not require its establishment within permanent buildings; it is permissible to perform it in nearby open grounds or deserts. This position is adopted by Abu Hanifah. The evidence supporting this is the practice of Mus'ab bin Umayr, who led the Ansar in Jumu'ah prayer in Hazm al-Nabīt, in a place called Naqi' al-Khadhamat, which is defined as a low-lying area where water collects. Additionally, since the Eid prayer is permissible there, Jumu'ah, being similar to the Eid prayer, is also permissible in that location.

Supporting text

Al-Shafi'i holds that the prayer is invalid if performed outside permanent structures because such a location resembles an area where the residents of the city are permitted to shorten their prayers (Qasr), suggesting it is treated as distant.