Hanafi Fatwa: Jumu'ah Prayer is Not Valid Without a Sultan

Millions of Muslims live in Western countries of Europe and the Americas. In fact, nearly a quarter of the entire Muslim ummah live as minorities in predominantly non-Muslim countries such as India, Russia, China, and sub-Saharan Africa.

According to the Hanafi "school" all of these Muslims are not allowed to offer Jumu'ah congregational prayers because they do not have a Sultan (Muslim ruler) or permission from a Sultan. Therefore, all the Hanafis in the West, India, etc., who have been offering Jumu'ah prayers throughout their lives must offer their Zuhr prayers instead for all the Zuhr prayers they have been missing on Fridays!

According to the Hanafi school, having a Sultan is one of the twelve conditions without which Jumu'ah prayer cannot be established. Now it is upon all Hanafis living without a Muslim Sultan to immediately stop offering Jumu'ah prayers and offer Zuhr prayers on Friday instead.

لا يجوز إقامتها إلا للسلطان أو لمن أمره السلطان
It is not allowed to establish it (Jumu'ah prayer) except by a Sultan, or through someone who has been given authority by the Sultan.

Reference: Hidayah, Kitab us Salaat, Bab Salaatul Jumu'ah