Praying in Sunni Masjid

[Abdullah the Revert]

Assalamu alaikum I am a revert who has become a Shia. I have a proper turbah which I pray on when at home and when I had a job I prayed using it. I also have a couple of flat rocks I collected for this purpose. These I used before I got a turbah. I live in a small town and there is only a Sunni masjid. I am going there for dhuhr. I am trying to build routine. I get out of the house by this, then I go to the library where I'll look for jobs and print off resumes so tomorrow I can go directly to businesses inshallah. 

This is my first time praying in the masjid as a Shia outside of Jummah. When it isn't jummah there are usually 3-4 people there so I'm likely to stand out praying with a rock. Any advice?

[ServantOfMahdi]

https://www.leader.ir/en/book/32/1?sn=5315

 

Performing Congregational Prayer behind Sunnīs

 

Q 597: Is it permissible to perform one’s prayer behind a Sunnī imam?

A: It is permissible to perform one’s prayer in congregation behind them for the sake of maintaining Muslim’s unity and avoiding mischief-making.

 

 

Q 598: I work in an area which is predominately Kurdish. Most Friday and congregational prayer leaders in this area are Sunnī. What is the rule with respect to performing prayers in congregation behind them? Is one permitted to backbite?

A: There is no problem in attending the prayer with them in their Friday and congregational prayer to maintain the unity and avoid mischief-making. As far as backbiting is concerned, one should refrain from it.

 

Q 599: I associate with Sunnī people and perform the daily prayers with them. On certain occasions I practice according to them, e.g. cross my hand, not observing times of praying and do prostration on a carpet. Is it necessary to say them again?

A: Prostration on a carpet and crossing one’s hands during prayer is not permissible unless it is required by taqiyyah.

 

Q 600: In Mecca and Medina, we perform prayers in congregation with the Sunnī brethren relying on the verdict of Imam Khomeini (q.). On certain occasions to acquire the reward of performing prayer in a masjid, we perform our afternoon and ‘ishā’ prayers after noon and maghrib prayers in Sunnī masjids while doing prostration on the prayer mats and without a sajdahgah. What is the ruling for such a prayer?

A: In the given case, one should prostrate on a thing on which it is correct to prostrate unless it contradicts the duty of dissimulation.

 

Q 601: Can we the Shī‘ahs attend the Sunnī’s congregational prayer in other countries when they perform their prayers with their hands crossed? Would it be necessary for us to follow them in keeping our hands crossed or should we perform our prayers with our hands released?

A: It is permissible to perform one’s prayers with Sunnīs when it is required for maintaining Muslim unity and avoiding mischief-making but it is not obligatory to cross one’s hands, rather it is not permitted unless it is required by taqiyyah.

 

Q 602: While praying in Sunnī congregational prayer every participant places his little toes close to those of the next persons, they consider it necessary to do so. What is its ruling?

A: This is not obligatory. It does not invalidate one’s prayer either.

 

Q 603: The Sunnī brethren do their maghrib prayer prior to our maghrib adhān. Is it correct during the occasion of Hajj or on other occasions to perform our prayer with them and consider that prayer sufficient?

A: It is not certain that they actually do their prayer prior to its time. However, if a person is not certain that it is time for prayer, it is not correct for them to join it unless taqiyyah calls for maintaining Muslims’ unity.