Question:
Based on Quranic verses (like 4:140), we decide to boycott gatherings where Allahﷻ ‘s verses are mocked. However, there are Hadiths that say leaders in the future will delay prayer, and the Prophetﷺﷺ instructed us to pray at home on time and then join them for their delayed prayer. Isn’t this a contradiction?
Answer:
The Quran says not to sit with those who mock, but this Hadith tells us to join those who are delaying prayer, which is a violation of the prescribed time.
The Quranic verse instructs us not to sit with people who are actively mocking and denying Allahﷻ ‘s verses until they change the subject. That is a gathering of sin.
The Hadith about delaying prayer refers to leaders who delay the prayer *within its prescribed time*, not after the time has expired. They postpone the prayer from the beginning of its time to the end of its time. Once the time for a prayer ends, it cannot be prayed. So, the meaning of “delay” in this Hadith is that they postpone the prayer from its early, preferred time to its later permissible time.
Historically, the Umayyad rulers used to pray at the very end of the prayer times. The Prophetﷺﷺ’s instruction was that you should pray your obligatory prayer on time at home if the leader is delaying it, then join them in their congregation, and that will be considered a Nafl (supererogatory) prayer for you.
This does not contradict the Quranic verse about mockery, as delaying the prayer to its later time, while not preferred, is not the same as mocking or denying Allahﷻ ‘s verses. It is a neglect of the best practice, but it is not outright mockery or denial that would require boycotting the gathering.