Congregational Prayer and its Excellence

"...And bend down in ruku with those who been down in ruku"
[surah al-Baqarah; 2:43]



The importance of the congregational Prayer (in Jam'ah) in Islam is so great that the Muslim have been joined to observe that even in the battlefield where danger to life is extreme. The Qur'an has prescribed the following way:

" and when you, O Prophet, are among the Muslims and are going to lead them in the Salat (in a state of war), let a party of them stand behind you, carrying their weapons with them. When they have made their prostrations, they should fall back and let another party of them, who have not yet offered Salat, say it with you and they, too, should be on their guard and keep their weapons with them."
[surah an-Nur; 4: 102]


The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) has also greatly stressed the offering prayer in congregation and described its unique merit and excellence. He has mentioned the importance of congregational prayer on numerous occassions


1.. "Nothing is harder on the hypocrites than the Isha and Fajr Prayer; had they known of the great rewards that Allah would bestow for those Prayers they would never have missed them even if they had to come (to the mosque) on their knees." Then he said, "I wish I should tell a Mu'azzin to pronounce Iqamah and appoint someone as Imam in my place, and I myself go and set fire to the houses of those who do not come out even after hearing the Adhan."
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Muslim]


2. "Offering the Prayer in congregation carries 27 times greater rewards and offering it alone individually."
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Muslim]


3. According to Anas (radiAllahu anhu), the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: "The person who offers his Prayers continuously for 40 days without missing the first takbir, is granted a twofold immunity by Allah - immunity from Hellfire and immunity from hypocrisy."
[at-Tirmidhi]


4. According to Abdullah bin Mas'ud (radiAllahu anhu), the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: "O Muslims! Allah has prescribed paths of right guidance for you (to lead you to real success) among which is the offering of the daily Prayers in congregation in the mosque. If you start saying your prayers individually at home, as so-and-so does, you will be forsaking the Sunnah of the Prophet. And if you forsake the Sunnah of your Prophet, you will certainly be going astray."
[Muslim]


5. According to Ubayy bin Ka'b (radiAllahu anhu), the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: "If the people come to know of the great rewards and benefits of the congregational Prayer, they would never stray back but would rush to the mosque for it. The first row merits the highest rewards and should be regarded as if it consisted of pure angels. Two persons praying together merit greater rewards than each praying individually, the rule being that the larger the congregation, the higher its rewards in the sight of Allah."
[abu Dawud]


6. "Give good news to those who go to the mosque in the darkness of the night to offer the Prayer in congregation, that on the Day of Judgement they will be provided with a perfect light."
[at-Tirmidhi]


7. Uthman (radiAllahu anhu), has reported that he heard the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) say: "The person who observes the Isha Prayer in congregation will have the rewards and blessings of half the night in Prayer, and the one who observes the Fajr Prayer in congregation will have the reward and blessings of the whole night in Prayer."
[at-Tirmidhi]


8. ibn Abbas (radiAllahu anhu), has reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: "The prayer of the person who does not come to attend the congregational Prayer after hearing the Azan, will not be acceptable unless he has a valid reason for this." When the Companions asked what was meant by a valid reason, he said: " Fear or illness."
[abu Dawud]


9. Aswad (radiAllahu anhu), says that one day when he and his Companions were sitting before A'isha (radiAllahu anha), she described them the event of the holy Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam)'s last illness, thereby stressing the importance and merit of the Congregational Prayer. She (radiAllahu anha), said: "One day when Adhan was pronounced at a Prayer time the holy Prophet said: 'Tell Abu Bakr (radiAllahu anhu), to lead the people in Prayer.' We said, 'Abu Bakr (radiAllahu anhu), is a tender hearted man. He will not be able to stand your absence and lead the Prayer properly.' The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam)again said: 'Tell Abu Bakr (radiAllahu anhu), to lead the people in Prayer.' We again made the same remark whereupon the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam)replied: 'You are disputing with me just like the Egyptian women disputed with Joseph. Tell Abu Bakr (radiAllahu anhu), to lead the people in Prayer.' Accordingly, Abu Bakr (radiAllahu anhu), took his place in front. In the meantime, the holy Prophet felt a little better and he went out to the mosque with the help of two men. I still remember the scene: the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) was too weak to stand on his feet and walk properly. He was dragging his feet along. Abu Bakr (radiAllahu anhu), who had already started the Prayer wanted to step back, but the holy Prophet(salAllahu alayhi wasalam) beckoned him to carry on and the Prayer was completed under Abu Bakr (radiAllahu anhu)'s leadership."
[Sahih al-Bukhari]