With the dawn of the present era, it is now an uncommon sight to see people praying in congregation, yet the signs of the hour indicate that the hour is nonetheless, but very close.

It truly sometimes puzzles to me as to why, why on earth would people not do something despite the umpteen advantages that it offers? Is it because of laziness, or is it because of lack of knowledge or is it that they don’t truly believe in the ahadith?

In two authentic ahadith, it has been narrated that:

‘Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah have mercy on him) has been reported to have said that Allah’s Apostle (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “The prayer in congregation is twenty seven times superior to the prayer offered by person alone.”

[Sahih Bukhari: Volume 1, Book 11, Number 618]

Narrated Abu Hurairah (may Allah have mercy on him) Allah’s Apostle (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “‘The reward of a prayer in congregation is twenty five times greater than that of a prayer offered by a person alone. The angels of the night and the angels of the day gather at the time of Fajr prayer.’ “Abu Hurairah then added, “Recite the Holy Book if you wish, for “Indeed, the recitation of the Qur’an in the early dawn (Fajr prayer) is ever witnessed.”

[Sahih Bukhari: Volume 1, Book 11, Number 620]

Let us look at it from a different angle- we perceive that it is obligatory for us to pray, yet were we to pray in congregation, we are hence rewarded 20+ times more, then why, when we already have to pray, not pray it in congregation?

Also, there remains the fact that praying in congregation in itself is an obligatory act

 It is narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, I had thought of ordering that wood be gathered, then I would command the call to prayer to be given, and I would appoint a man to lead the people in prayer, then I would go to men [who do not attend the congregational prayer] and burn their houses down around them. By the One in Whose hand is my soul, if anyone of you had known that he would receive a bone covered with meat or two (small) pieces of meat in a sheep’s foot, he would come for ‘Isha’ prayer.”

In al-Saheehayn (the following version was narrated by al-Bukhari)

Al-Bukhari, 7224; Muslim, 651. 

Ibn al-Mundhir (may Allah have mercy on him) said: The fact that he was thinking of burning down the houses of people who did not attend the prayer is the clearest evidence that attending prayer in congregation is obligatory, because it would not be permissible for the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to do this with regard to something that was mustahabb and not obligatory.

The fog seems to clear out, and we start comprehending, that praying in congregation is indeed obligatory and also by doing so, we secure for ourselves abundant ajar.

To cream the peach, I will further mention yet another hadith that will certainly prove to be the most galvanising incentive that one could ask for:

Narrated Abu Hurairah: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said,
“Allah will prepare for him who goes to the mosque (every) morning and in the afternoon (for the congregational prayer) an honourable place in Paradise with good hospitality for (what he has done) every morning and afternoon goings”

[Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 1, Book 11, Hadith 631

Alhamdulillah (Indeed all praise belongs to Allah) the above hadith truly is the wax seal to all the profuse advantages that congregational prayer offers.

I hereby request all my brothers, not to take the above ahadith lightly and to embed it in their hearts the fact that congregational prayer is indeed compulsory. As humans, it’s alas our tendency that we take things that don’t suit our desires, lightly, however heavy in magnitude their importance may be.

In today’s world of trials, tribulations, music and what not, it truly might be a challenge to   compel oneself to the threshold of the masjid five times a day, but keep in mind challenges are meant to be won and whims and desires to be conquered. The phrase Allahu Akbar (Allah is the greatest) called out by the muezzin should serve to animate our actions as well, as we realize that truly Allah IS the greatest and it is to Him that we owe everything.

However a point to note here, is that prayer in congregation is not obligatory for women, and a woman’s prayer in her house on her own is better than her praying in congregation in the mosque, as for men when they hear the athaan; they have to attend the masjid.

In conclusion, I supplicate to my Lord The most Powerful, to help our brothers make and remain steadfast on their resolutions to pray in congregation, for verily without Allah’s help nothing is possible.

Ameen ya Rabb

For more proofs that congregational prayer is obligatory on males, please visit http://islamqa.info/en/40113

Bint Ayesha

Writer, AAT