The congregational prayer

The virtues of the congregational prayer:
Performing the )obligatory( prayers in congregation is mandatory and
required of every believing adult male who has no excuse for not doing
so. Many authentic narrations highlight the superiority and excellence
of praying in congregation. Among these narrations are:
The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi was sallam, said: "Prayer in
congregation is superior to a prayer performed individually by
twenty-seven degrees."]Al-Bukhaari and Muslim[
The Prophetalso said:"The prayer of a man in congregation is
twenty-five times more superior )in reward( to his prayer in his house
or market - and this is because he performs ablution and perfects it
and goes to the mosque with the sole purpose of performing the prayer.
He does not take a step without being raised a degree and having one
ofhis sins erased. When he prays, aslong as he does not lose his
ablution, the angels keep on praying ]for him[ 'O Allaah, bless him. O
Allaah, have mercy upon him.' And he is considered in prayer as long
as he is waiting forthe prayer."]Al-Bukhaari and Muslim[
Abandoning the congregational prayer:
To know the status of praying with the congregation and how serious a
matter it is to abandon it, the Prophethardly exempted anyone from it.
Abu Hurayrahreported that a blind man said to the Prophet: "O
Messenger of Allaah, I have no guide to lead me to the mosque )to
attend the congregational prayer(." He askedthe Prophetfor permission
topray in his house and the Prophetpermitted him. Then, when he turned
to go, the Prophetcalled him and said: 'Do you hear the call to
prayer?'The blind man said 'yes.' The Prophetthen said: "Then respond
to it ]by coming to the mosque[!"]Muslim[
Moreover, the Prophetseverlywarned against abandoning it. Abu
Hurayrahalso reported that the Prophetsaid: "By Him in whose hand is
my soul! I have considered ordering a fire tobe kindled and then ask
someoneto lead the people in prayer. And then go to the men ]who did
not attend the prayer[ and burn their houses over them."]Al-Bukhaari
and Muslim[
This was clearly understood by the Companionsand their words reflected
it. 'Abdullaah IbnMas'oodsaid: "If anyone would like to meet Allaah
tomorrow as a Muslim, he shouldpersevere in observing these five
prayers )in congregation( whenever the call for them is made, for
Allaah has chosen for your Prophetthe way of rightguidance. And the
]five prayers in congregation[ are part of this right guidance. If you
were to pray them in your houses, as the one who stays behind in his
house, you would be leaving a 'Sunnah' of your Prophet. If you leave
the 'Sunnah' of your Prophetyou would go astray. Verily, I have seen a
time when no one abandoned them ]the congregational prayers[ except
for the hypocrites who were well known for their hypocrisy. A man
would be brought, supported by two people ]due to his weakness or
illness[ until he was placed in arow )in the congregation(."]Muslim[
The Prophetstressed on the importance of praying in a congregation
under all circumstances. In one narration, hesaid: "If there are three
men in a village or desert and prayer is not established among them,
then the devil takes mastery over them. So be with the congregation
since the wolf devours the remote )stray( sheep."]Abu Daawood[
What is considered a congregation?
The least number required for the congregational prayer is two:the
Imaam )leader( and another one with him. The more the people, the more
rewarding is the prayer by Allaah. The Prophetsaid: "A man's prayer
with another man is worth more than his prayer individually, and his
prayer with two men is worth more than his prayer with only one man.
The more there are, themore rewarding by Allaah."]Ahmad and Abu
Daawood[
The Prayer is better to be performed in the mosque. The farther mosque
is better than thenear. Concerning this, the Prophetsaid:"The people
attaining the most reward are those who have farthest to
walk."]Muslim, Ahmad and Abu Daawood[
Who should be the Imaam:
The congregational prayer is led by an Imaam. The Imaam should be
male, just, and well aware of Islamic jurisprudence. The Imaamstands
in front by himself while the followers stand behind him in straight
lines, all facing the Qiblah )the direction of Ka'bah(. The most
worthy of leading people in prayer is the one who isthe best in
memorizing and reciting the Quran. If they are equal, then the one who
has the deepest knowledge of Sunnah. If they still are equal in the
knowledge of Sunnah, then the oldest of the group. The Messenger of
Allaahsaid:"Themost versed in recitation of the Book of Allaah leads
the people inthe prayer. If they are equal, thenthe one most aware of
the Sunnah. If they all are equal, the one who emigrated earlier. If
they all are equal, then the oldestof them."]Muslim[
Women attending the congregational prayer:
Concerning women, it is better and more rewarding for them to pray in
their houses than to attend the congregational prayers. However, they
may attend the congregational prayer in the mosque provided it will be
secure from any temptation by their attendance. Also, they should
avoid wearing or using any attractive or tempting adornment or
perfume, and refrain from intermingling with men, as the Prophetsaid:
"Donot prevent the female slaves of Allaah )i.e. women( from the
mosques of Allaah. They should go without wearing perfume. If one
wears perfume, it is not lawful for her to attend the prayer in
congregation in the mosque."]Ahmad and Abu Daawood[
Women leading the congregational prayer:
It is forbidden for a woman to lead a man in prayer. If a woman leads
a man in prayer, his prayer is void and he has to make it up. This is
a matter which is agreed upon among the jurists as we have clarified
in the following fatwa 89729.