Importance of praying in congregation

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Congregational prayer has great importance and rewards. It also has many spiritual impacts. Some of these will be presented here so they may serve as admonition to those who absent themselves from congregational prayers (without genuine reasons).

It was reported on the authority of Abu-ad-Dardaa (RA) that: ”I heard the Messenger of Allah (SAW) saying: Any three people in either a village or hamlet that fail to establish congregational prayer shall be overpowered (and swayed) by Shaitan. I therefore enjoin you to hold on to Jam’ah (congregation) for the wolf only devours the animal in stray.” Reported by Abu Dawud and authenticated by Al-Albani.

On the authority of Buraidah (RA), it was reported  that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Give glad tiding to those who walk in darkness (i.e. during Isha and Fajr) to the Mosque that they shall have full light and splendor on the Day of Resurrection.” Reported by Abu Dawud and authenticated by Al-Albani.

Abu Umamah (RA) reported that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “three persons have been guaranteed the divine security and protection of Allah (SWT)… (among them is a person) that walks to the mosque. He is under the protection of Allah and He either takes his life and admits him into the heaven (paradise) or brings him back to his home with all the virtuous gains he made….” Abu Dawud.

It was reported on the authority of Abu Hurairah (RA) that the Prophet (SAW) said: “Shall I not guide you to that with which Allah erases sins and elevates grades of dignity (in Heaven)? Performing ablution properly in difficult situations (e.g. cold times), multiple treks to the mosque, waiting for the next prayer after the earlier one. That is indeed Ar-Ribat (patrolling in the cause of Allah).” Muslim. It was also narrated by Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Al-As (may Allah be pleased with them, he and his father) that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Whoever walks to the mosque for congregational prayer, a sin shall be erased with each step and a unit of reward shall be recorded for him, while going and returning.” Reported by Ahmad.

The Prophet (SAW) said: “The most difficult prayer to hypocrites are Solat al-Isha’i and Solat Al-Fajr….” Reported by Bukhari and Muslim. He also said: “Whoever observes his prayer in congregation for forty days meeting the first takbir (with the Imam) shall certainly be rescued on two counts: Rescue from hellfire and rescue from hypocrisy.” Reported by Al-Tirimidhi. Ibn Mos’ud was reported to have said, “Indeed I witnessed that nobody amongst us misses (congregational prayers – Fajr and Isha’i) except recognised hypocrites.” Reported by Muslim.

The Prophet (SAW) said the virtues and rewards of a person’s prayer in congregation manifold surpass his prayers in his house or shop with 25 grades. This is because if he perfects his ablution and then set out to the mosque, and nothing brings him out except solat, he never takes any step (walking to the mosque) except that a sin is erased for him and a grade raised for him at the same time. And if he performs the prayer, the Angels do not cease to be praying for him as long as he remains seated in the place he prayed. They would be saying, “O Allah! Grant him peace, O Allah! I shower mercy upon him.” A person is still deemed to be in prayers as long as he waits for it.” Reported by Bukhari and Muslim.

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The Prophet (SAW) also said. “Whoever goes to the mosque in the morning and evening, for him Allah has prepared al-Jannah as his abode whenever he goes and comes back.” Reported by Bukhari and Muslim.

In another narration by Abu Uamah (RA), the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Whoever sets out from his house with purity (i.e. having performed ablution) to attend an obligatory prayer (in congregation) his reward is similar to that of a pilgrim that has assumed the Ihram.” Reported by Abu Dawud. On the authority of Jabir ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with them – he and his father) – he said: “Banu Salimah intended to move their houses closer to the Prophet’s mosque, and the place was plain. The information reached the Prophet (SAW). He then said: O Bani Salimah! Remain in your present houses or quarters, for your steps (while walking to the mosque) shall be recorded for you.” They then said, “We did not like changing them any longer.” Reported by Muslim.

Those who keep their prayers and observe them regularly shall be included among the seven categories of people that shall be comforted under the shade of the Divine Throne on the Day of Judgement. It was reported on the authority of Abu-Hurairah (RA) that, the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Seven categories of persons shall be comforted under the shade of the Divine Throne, on a Day wherein there shall no other shade besides it….. (among them he mentioned): a man whose heart is affectionately attached to the mosque (i.e., constantly thinking about solat and waiting for it).”S Reported by Bukhari and Muslim.