Ruling on Virtual Prayer / Khutbah

In response to the vast inquiries, Is virtual prayer permissible? 

The prayer would be nullified/rejected and must be repeated. Virtual prayer is not permissible. It is not permissible for anyone to follow an Imam via TV, online, or radio. Prayer in congregation means being together in the same place and the rows of the people praying behind the Imam should be connected. This rule would not be met if the prayer is by TV, online or radio. This goes for any and all prayers and under any and all circumstances.

We have to keep in mind that for any righteous deed to be accepted it has to always follow two conditions: sincerity (the act is done for the sake of Allah) and it has to follow the way or the command of the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم). For indeed the most truthful speech is the book of Allah and the best guidance is that of prophet Mohamed (صلى الله عليه وسلم), and the worst affairs are the newly introduced ones into the religion, for every newly introduced matter into the religion is biddaah, every biddaah is misguidance, and every misguidance leads to the hellfire.