Title: Can an Unrelated Male and Female Offer Group Prayers Question: I understand that group prayer is twenty-seven degrees better than individual prayer. I also understand that a non-married Muslim female and male cannot constitute a jumaa prayer. Can two individuals, a non-married female and male, attain the rewards of group prayer? Thank you very much for your time and guidance with this question. Anonymous United States of America Answer: You have rightly stated that group prayer is highly recommended by the Shari'ah . However, it is not obligatory under all circumstances. If my understanding of your question is correct you mean two unmarried persons praying in congregation who are not Mahram (two male and female who can not enter the bond of marriage) . Even though this is not forbidden in Shari'ah and may, therefore, be done for the education of one of the two persons or for any other such reason, yet it would not be prudent to make it a regular practice of doing so alone because such a one to one relationship entails a danger of developing into a situation that is not approved by the Shari'ah . It would be better, therefore, that some more people join them. I hope this helps. Tariq Mahmood Hashmi November 19, 2002