Is It Permissible to Pray Tarawih at Home While Following a Live Stream from the Mosque?
Question
As s-salāmu ʿalaykum. I would like to ask if it is permissible to pray Tarāwīḥ at home while following the live stream from Al Rashad Mosque. JazakAllahu khayrn
Answer
Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain.
1. The Shari Context
Congregational prayer (salah in jamaah) is legislated with physical unity and connection between imam and followers. The Prophet peace be upon him said:
“The imam is only appointed to be followed.”
Sahih al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim
Congregation in fiqh requires physical linkage and the ability to follow the imam’s movements without disconnection. Tarawih itself is a Sunnah prayer, but when prayed in congregation, it follows the same structural rules as other congregational prayers.
2. Scholarly Discussion
The four madhahib require that for a valid congregational prayer:
- The follower and imam be in a connected space or at least in physically continuous rows.
- The follower be able to follow the imam’s movements directly.
- There be no major physical separation that breaks the unity of the congregation.
Classical scholars discussed cases of separation by walls or distance. They generally required physical proximity and connection of rows, even if in adjacent rooms, as long as the congregation remained unified.
Praying behind an imam through a broadcast or live stream, where there is no physical continuity and no shared prayer space, does not meet the traditional requirements of jamaah according to the majority of contemporary scholars.
The issue is not about hearing the imam alone. It is about physical unity and shared congregational space. A live stream represents a complete physical separation.
Therefore, the majority position today is that praying behind a live-streamed imam from one’s home is not a valid congregational prayer. Rather, it would be considered praying alone while attempting to follow another prayer remotely.
3. Application to the Question
If you are at home and following the live stream from Al Rashad Mosque:
- Your prayer would be valid as an individual prayer if you are performing the actions correctly.
- However, it would not count as congregational prayer (jamaah).
- You would not receive the specific reward of praying in congregation tied to physical jamaah.
If possible, it is preferable to:
- Pray Tarawih in the mosque.
- Or pray at home individually or with family members in your household.
If there is hardship, illness, childcare responsibilities, or other valid reasons preventing attendance, then praying at home individually or leading your family is fully valid and rewarded.
4. Relevant Usul Principle
العبادات مبناها على التوقيف
Acts of worship are based on textual evidence
The structure of congregational prayer is defined by revelation and practice of the Prophet and companions. New formats such as remote digital following cannot replace the established form without clear proof.
Final Ruling
It is not valid to count Tarawih prayed at home while following a live stream as congregational prayer. You may pray at home individually or with your household, and the prayer is valid, but it does not take the ruling of physical jamaah.
And Allah knows best.