Number for Jamaat?

[Kiwi Bro]

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

Assalamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

Dear Imaam Sir,

I have a query regarding the number of people needed to form a jammat for praying Salaat.

I've heard the following:
A:) That 2 people are sufficient for a Jammat for Salaat, one being the Imaam and the other following.
B:) At least 3 people are needed for a Jammat for Sallaat.

I would really appreciate if you sir (or anyone else) can provide me with a clarification. Any reference provided would be great.

Jazzak Allah Khair for your assistance in this matter. Very much appreciated for your help indeed.

[Imam]

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

Wa'alaykum 'Assalam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu


All Praise be to Allah who is the Lord of the Worlds, and may Endless Blessings be showered upon His Most Beloved, and Final Messenger of Islam, Hadrat Muhammad Mustafa Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam


All the followers of the Hanafi Madhhab, and other madhhabs as well state in their great works, such as Quduri, Nur-al-Iydhah, Kanz-ad-Daqa'iq, The Hidayah, and Sharh Waqayah, that it is sufficient for two people to conduct a jama'at.


Three people is then even more sufficient except that they will stand behind the Imam, as in the case of two, the muqtadi stands at a little difference to the imam, on his right.


Jazak'allah for your question.



Wallahu A'lamu Biththawaab



M. Waseem Ashrafi