• Prayers: Two congregations in a mosque
In a mosque in our town, the followers of the Hanafi and Shaf'ie sects offer their prayers in two congregations, which are held separately but simultaneously, following two imams. Is this allowed?
This is an ugly aspect of ignorance which must be stopped altogether. When a person does not join a congregation, he must have serious doubts about the faith of the imam leading that congregation. If these doubts are based on the fact that the imam belongs to a different school of thought, then this attitude shows how ignorant the person is about the differences between the various schools of thought in Islam. If the two congregations start at the same time, both are invalid. If one starts after the other, then the second is invalid. What we know of the history of Imam El-Shaf'ie is that he went to Baghdad where he met with the leading figure of the Hanafi school and discussed important issues with Imam Abu Yousuf and others. As you are aware, Imam Abu Yousuf was the most important figure in the Hanafi school of thought following the death of his mentor, the founder of the school, Imam Abu Hanifah. Imam El-Shaf'ie joined the congregations there without any question. What you should try to achieve is for the two imams in your local mosque to learn more about their schools of thought and how they differ from each other. Once they get to know more, they will feel that their attitude is ludicrous.
• Prayers: Use of a prayer mat
Some people pray at any place such as foot path, a courtyard or an open field. Some do not even use a prayer mat or any sheet of cloth or paper, although these places may not be all that clean. How far is this acceptable?
Enumerating the privileges Allah has granted him over other prophets and messengers, Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, included the following: "The whole earth has been made to me (and to my nation) a place of worship and a source of purification." This is a reference to the fact that a Muslim may pray anywhere provided that the place is free of impurity. It also refers to the fact that purification is achieved through dry ablution. Therefore, it is perfectly permissible to offer prayers in the sort of places you have mentioned, provided that we make sure that there is no impurity where we pray. It is perfectly acceptable that we offer prayers on the pavement, by the side of the road, in a field or a garden or anywhere else. No prayer mat is necessary, except in as far as it is cleaner to use one. From the religious point of view, a prayer mat has no significance.
• Prayers: Voluntary prayer before Maghrib
Is voluntary prayer permitted before Maghrib? How about the prayer known as greeting to the mosque, if we enter a mosque at a Maghrib time?
To offer a voluntary prayer at the time when the sun is setting is discouraged. But Maghrib does not fall due until the sun has set. Therefore, there is no objection to offering voluntary prayer after Maghrib falls due. Indeed, it is recommended to offer two rak'ahs voluntarily before one offers the obligatory prayer at Maghrib.
If you go into a mosque at Maghrib time, you offer these two rak'ahs and combine them with the greeting to the mosque. You are given the reward for four rak’ahs although you offer only two. Some schools of thought do not mention these two rak’ahs as recommended. They are of the type of voluntary prayer which is known as "not moakkedah ".
This means that the Prophet used to offer these two rak'ahs before Maghrib only occasionally.