The chief imam of Masjid al-Haram, Sheikh Abdul Rahman al-Sudais, has urged worshippers not to rush toward the Hajr al-Aswad, or Black Stone, just before prayers end at the holy Kaaba. He warned that the prayer of anyone who leaves their place before the imam completes his final salam will be considered invalid or broken.
Imam Sheikh Sudais gave this important guidance to worshippers present at a special religious talk recently held at Masjid al-Haram.
He said a serious tendency has been observed among many worshippers coming to Masjid al-Haram. As soon as the imam begins his first salam at the prayer’s end, many rush toward the Hajr al-Aswad and the Multazam. At times, worshippers even begin moving out of their rows before the imam has fully completed his salam. This is not correct, he said, and it invalidates the prayer.
Explaining why the prayer becomes invalid, Sheikh Sudais said that, according to the rules of salah, worshippers must fully follow the imam right up until the final moment. Completing any pillar or step of the prayer, or ending it, before the imam does so goes against Islamic law. As a result, the prayer of those who rush to leave before the imam fully completes his salam is invalidated.
To help prevent this unwanted situation, Sheikh Sudais also delivered a special message to other imams at the mosque. He instructed imams not to prolong or leave long pauses during the very final part of the prayer, that is, while delivering the salam. He said long pauses during the salam often confuse worshippers, who mistakenly believe the prayer has ended. As a result, they unconsciously begin moving before the imam, which puts their prayer at risk.