The 18 Excuses for Missing Congregation and Special Follower Cases

1. Excuses 1–6

يَسْقُطُ حُضُورُ الْجَمَاعَةِ بِوَاحِدٍ مِنْ ثَمَانِيَةَ عَشَرَ شَيْئًا

The first six excuses are:
1. Severe rain.
2. Severe cold.
3. Fear — such as a genuine fear of an oppressor or comparable danger.
4. Severe darkness.
5. Imprisonment — explained in the commentary in qualifying cases such as an insolvent/deprived person or unjust confinement.
6. Blindness.

These are excuses from attending the congregation; they do not cancel the obligation of the prayer itself.

2. Excuses 7–13

7. Paralysis.
8. Amputation of a hand and a leg in the condition covered by the source.
9. Illness.
10. Disabling incapacity to walk/move (Iq'ad).
11. Mud that makes attendance seriously difficult.
12. Chronic disability (Zamanah).
13. Advanced old age.

The source lists these separately, so the course does not collapse them into one vague label such as 'physical difficulty.'

3. Excuses 14–18

14. Repeating/studying Fiqh with a study-group that would be lost by leaving. The commentary specifically says this is Fiqh, not an unrestricted excuse for every language or grammar study, and it should not become a habitual way to abandon congregation.
15. Desired food is present and would seriously distract the person.
16. Intention/preparation to travel where leaving for congregation risks losing the prepared departure.
17. Caring for a sick person who would suffer hardship/distress because of the caregiver's absence.
18. Severe wind at night — not daytime wind under this specific rule.

The commentary treats urgent bodily pressure, such as strongly needing the toilet, as analogous to the distraction caused by desired food; it is not a nineteenth item in the author's count.

4. Reward When a Genuine Excuse Prevents Attendance

The text states that if a person misses the congregation because of one of its legitimate excuses, while genuinely intending to attend had the excuse not occurred, the person receives the reward of the congregation.

This is tied to a real excuse and genuine intention; it is not a license to choose isolation without an excuse and then claim the same ruling.

5. Follower Cases 1–2: Finish a Wajib, Leave a Sunnah

1. If the Imam gives Salaam before the follower has finished Tashahhud, the follower completes the Tashahhud, because it is Wajib, then gives Salaam. If only Salawat or dua remains, the follower leaves that Sunnah material and follows the Imam's conclusion.
2. If the Imam rises from Ruku or Sujud before the follower has completed three Tasbihs, the follower follows the Imam rather than remaining behind merely to complete the Sunnah count.

The practical principle is: do not abandon a Wajib already being completed for a Sunnah, but do not delay following the Imam merely to finish a Sunnah.

6. Follower Cases 3–5: Imam Adds Something after the Final Sitting

3. If the Imam mistakenly adds a third Sajdah, or stands for an extra rak'ah after having completed the final sitting, the follower does not follow the extra act; he waits and may remind the Imam.
4. If the Imam returns before attaching the extra rak'ah to a Sajdah, the follower gives Salaam with the Imam.
5. If the Imam completes a Sajdah in that extra rak'ah after the valid final sitting, the follower gives Salaam alone rather than following the Imam into the extra prayer-act.

The final sitting matters here: these rules concern an extra addition after the Fard prayer's final sitting has already been completed.

7. Follower Cases 6–8: Imam Stands before the Final Sitting

6. If the Imam mistakenly stands for an extra rak'ah before completing the required final sitting, the follower does not follow him; the follower waits and reminds him.
7. In this technical case, if the follower ends his own prayer with Salaam before the Imam has tied the extra rak'ah to a Sajdah, the source states that the follower's Fard is invalid.
8. It is Makruh Tahrimi for the follower to give Salaam after the Imam has completed Tashahhud but before the Imam himself gives Salaam.

These are technical follower rules. They should be taught exactly, without simplifying them into 'always follow every movement' or 'never wait for the Imam.'

8. All 18 Excuses at a Glance

1. Severe rain
2. Severe cold
3. Fear
4. Severe darkness
5. Imprisonment
6. Blindness
7. Paralysis
8. Amputation of a hand and a leg
9. Illness
10. Disabling incapacity
11. Mud
12. Chronic disability
13. Advanced age
14. Fiqh study-group that would be missed
15. Desired food present
16. Prepared intention to travel
17. Caring for a sick person harmed/distressed by absence
18. Severe wind at night, not day