EXCELLENCE OF PRAYER IN CONGREGATION

Allah Ta’ala says, “And bow with those who bow.” (Surah Baqarah, verse 43)

My Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam’s beloved devotees! From the verse mentioned above we realise the importance of praying in congregation (Jama’at). Those fortunate people that perform prayers in congregation have been given many glad tidings by Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam. Those that are too busy in worldly things and miss congregational prayers have been given very severe warnings by Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam. We will see in the next few pages how much importance our pious predecessors gave to congregational prayers. We are so lazy in respect of congregational prayers nowadays that even if we are close to a mosque, we do not go there and join in the prayer. For Allah’s sake! Read the verse above and performing prayer in congregation. Let us beseech Allah Ta’ala that He guides us all to perform prayers in congregation. Aameen.
Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam

said, “Performing prayer in congregation is 27 times better than performing it  alone.”

(Mishkat Shareef)

My Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam’s beloved devotees! In worldly dealings, we always worry about how much something will profit us. If we are indifferent or forgetful, it’s only when it is related to religious things. Would any one of us leave 27 and be satisfied with 1? If not, praying in congregation does not take any longer than praying alone, and Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam has told us that praying in a congregation gives us 27 times the reward. Just imagine that frightening time on the day of judgement when a father will run away from his son. No one will be bothered about anyone else, and we will all be short of good deeds. No relative or close friend will be willing to give you anything. By Allah! At that moment you will realise the value of each and every good deed. Therefore, perform prayer in congregation and obtain 27 times the reward so that on the day of judgement Allah Ta’ala blesses us with the glance of Benevolence, and grants us goodness with the supplications of the pious people.

Insisting on Congregation in the Battlefield

Allah Ta’ala says, “And O Beloved, When you are amidst them, then lead them in prayer, then let a party of them be with you and let them take their arms, then when they have finished their prostrations, then moving from there they should go to your rear; and now let the other party who had not participated in the prayer at that time, come and be your followers in the prayer and let them also take their means of protection and weapons; The infidel’s wish that in case you become negligent of your arms and your baggage, then once again they may fall upon you. And there is no fault upon you, if you are in trouble due to rain or you are sick that you put aside your arms, but you carry your means of protection with you. Undoubtedly, Allah has prepared for the infidels a degrading torment”. (Surah Nisa, verse 102)

Performing congregational prayers at a time of war and in an atmosphere of fear shows us how important congregational prayers are. (Khazain Ul Irfan)

My Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam’s beloved devotees! The atmosphere during war is frightening. Your life is at risk from all sides. Do you realise that even in these conditions Allah Ta’ala ordered prayer to be prayed in congregation? We realise how important congregation is from the above verse. Today, even in peaceful surroundings, we don’t stand to pray on our own, let alone praying in congregation. We should all promise ourselves that from today we would always attempt to perform prayer in congregation. May Allah Ta’ala guide us all. Aameen.

Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam said, “The person that performs ablution (wudhu) and comes for Fajar prayer, prays the sunnahs and then remains busy in remembrance (zikar) until the farz prayer, his prayer will be the same as the prayer of pious people. His name will be in the list of The Merciful’s Messengers. (Tibrani)

My Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam’s beloved devotees! There is great reward in remaining busy in the remembrance of Allah Ta’ala whilst waiting for the farz part of fajar prayer. Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam has stated that the status of such people and their prayer is very high. If only we would sacrifice our sleep and be present at the morning prayer and perform the prayer in congregation. Without doubt, the Lord that will grant us respect and honour on the day of judgement will also grant it to us in this world. If only we would realise this and repent with a sincere heart and intend to perform all our


prayers with congregation. If we attempt this then Allah Ta’ala will surely be pleased with us and His Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam will also be pleased. May Allah Ta’ala guide us all to perform prayer in congregations. Aameen. Hazrat Abdullah Bin Abbas radiallaho ta’ala anhu states that Allah Ta’ala has created a river in paradise called “Afyah.” Its banks are made from pearls and diamonds. There are 80 maidens of paradise on the bank of the river and they praise Allah Ta’ala and remember Him in 70 different languages. These maidens also proclaim that, “We are for the service of those that perform the Morning Prayer (Fajar) with congregation. (Nuzhatul Majaalis, Page 515)

My Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam’s beloved devotees! We have seen the reward for performing the Morning Prayer with congregation. We must try our utmost to be punctual in this. This is a very important part of the day and most people are unaware of this and ignore it. We should be present at this time and obtain riches and rewards from Allah Ta’ala. May Allah Ta’ala guide us all. Aameen.

Untold Rewards

Hazrat Anas Bin Maalik radiallaho ta’ala anhu narrates that Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam said, “O Uthmaan Bin Maz’oon! Performing the morning prayer(Fajar) in congregation is equivalent to performing the large pilgrimage and the small pilgrimage (Hajj & Umrah). O Uthmaan! Whoever performs the midday prayer (Zohar), he receives the reward of 25 prayers and his status is raised 70 grades in paradise. O Uthmaan! Whoever performs the afternoon (Asar) prayer with congregation then remains busy in the remembrance of Allah Ta’ala, it is as though he has freed 12000 slaves from the children of Hazrat Ismail alaihis salaam. The person that performs the evening prayer (Maghrib) with congregation he is rewarded for 25 prayers and his status is raised 70 stages in paradise. O Uthmaan! Whoever performs the night prayer (Isha) with congregation, it is as though he worshipped on the Night of Power (Shab-e-Qadr).”

My Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam’s beloved devotees! Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam has shown us the rewards for each of the 5 prayers in the Hadith mentioned above. Those of you that wish to be surrounded with these blessings and obtain all those rewards need to ensure that they are punctual in praying with congregation. If we can obtain such blessings and reward with a small sacrifice, then we should definitely make the attempt. May Allah Ta’ala give us all the guidance to perform prayer in congregations. Aameen

Reward Equivalent to Standing All Night

Hazrat Uthmaan E Ghani radiallaho ta’ala anhu narrates that Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam said, “If one prays the night prayer (Isha) with congregation it is as though he has prayed for half the night. And if one then prays the morning prayer (Fajar) with congregation, it is as though he prayed all night long.” (Muslim Shareef)

Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam also said, “Undoubtedly, if a person returns home after performing his prayer behind a leader (Imam), reward is written for him for worshipping the whole night.” (Al Jaami Us Sageer)

My Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam’s beloved devotees! It is difficult for us to spend the whole night in worship. However, look at the blessings and grace of the Master of the Universe sallalaho alaihe wasallam. His blessed sight is on the weaknesses of a weak nation and he has shown us how to gain the reward of worshipping the whole night. That is by performing the night prayer and the morning prayer with congregation. These are the 2 prayers that are very heavy on Muslims in this day and age. Praying in congregation is a far stretch, they are careless about praying them at all. Are you aware that Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam has said, “ Fajar and Isha prayers are heavy on the hypocrites (Munafiqs), not on the believers.” We should perform these two prayers with the congregation and obtain the reward of praying all night, and include ourselves amongst the slaves of Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam. May Allah Ta’ala guide us all to perform prayers with congregation. Aameen.

Freedom From Hell-Fire

Hazrat Anas radiallaho ta’ala anhu narrates that Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam said, “Whoever performs prayers for Allah

Ta’ala with congregation for 40 days so that he does not miss the first Takbeer receives two freedoms, one from the fire of hell and the other from hypocrisy (Munafiqat).” (Tirmizi)

If our pious predecessors would miss the start of prayer (Takbeer E Oola), they would mourn and grieve for three days.

My Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam’s beloved devotees! The fire of hell and hypocrisy are both destructive. The person with hypocrisy in his heart will be in the lowest level of hell. If you want to clean your heart of hypocrisy and want freedom from the fire of hell, then at a minimum, perform congregational prayers for forty days. With the blessings of congregational prayers, Allah Ta’ala will give freedom from the fire of hell and purify us from hypocrisy. May Allah Ta’ala guide us all to perform prayers in congregation. Aameen

Sins will be Forgiven

Hazrat Uthmaan radiallaho ta’ala anhu narrates that Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam said, “Whoever does complete ablution
(wudhu), then goes for prayer and performs it with the congregation, all his sins are forgiven.” (Nisa’ee)

Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam said, “I saw my Lord in great beauty and splendour.” A voice said, “O Muhammad sallalaho alaihe wasallam.” I replied, “I am present and aware.” He asked, “Do you know what the angels are arguing about?” I replied, “No I do not.” Then He placed His Hands (according to His status) between my shoulders and I felt the coolness in my heart. I was given the knowledge of all that is in the heavens and the earth, and all that is between the east and the west. Then He asked again, “O Muhammad sallalaho alaihe wasallam, do you know what the angels are debating?” I replied, “Status and compensation, congregations, doing complete ablution in winter, and waiting for the next prayer. The one that lives his life safeguarding these will die with goodness and will be so pure from sins, it will be like he was just born.” (Tirmizi Shareef)

It is reported that Allah Ta’ala has stated that, “My house on the earth is the Mosque. Those that perform their prayers in the mosque and inhabit and populate the Mosque will be ones that are blessed with seeing Me. This good news is for the person that leaves his home in a state of purity and comes to visit Me, and performs prayer with congregation.” (Nuzhatul Majaalis)

My Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam’s beloved devotees! We know that sins are forgiven by performing prayers in congregation, but the blessing upon the blessings is that if we go to perform our prayers in the Mosque, we are in actual fact going to visit Allah Ta’ala. We are not worthy or deserving of this, but look at the blessing that He is bestowing upon us. He is making us His guest and giving us the reward for seeing Him. Not just once but five times in a day. If only we would accept the invitation of Allah Ta’ala and attempt to pray in the mosque five times in a day. May Allah Ta’ala guide us all to do this. Aameen.

It is written in Ahya e Uloom that the heart of a person becomes bright by performing prayer in congregation. It in reported in Tibrani that if a person knew how many rewards there were in praying in a congregation, he would go crawling on his hands and knees.

Hazrat Aisha Siddiqua radiallaho ta’ala anha states that Allah Ta’ala and His angels send blessings on the people that are on the right hand side of the congregation. (Ibn Majah)

Hazrat Abu Hurairah radiallaho ta’ala anhu narrates that Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam said, “If a person goes to the mosque after performing ablution (wudhu) properly at home, but finds that the people have completed the congregational prayers, Allah Ta’ala will reward him the same amount. There will be no reduction in the rewards of those that have finished praying.” (Abu Dawood)

My Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam’s beloved devotees! If a person who has some kind of authority greets us in the world we are full of happiness and joy. My Beloved Master sallalaho alaihe wasallam has said that Allah Ta’ala and His angels sends blessings on those that are on the right hand side of the prayer-leader (Imam). He also gives reward of congregational prayers if we leave the home with the intention of joining the congregation but are too late. May Allah Ta’ala guide us all to perform prayer in congregation. Aameen.

Favoured

Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam has said, “For men to pray with other men is better than praying alone, and where there is more (like when they are many people together in congregation), that is more favoured by Allah Ta’ala.”
Hazrat Qabaas Bin Aseem radiallaho ta’ala anhu narrates that Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam said, “Two people praying together, where one leads the other is more liked by Allah Ta’ala than four men that pray one after the other (on their own). Four people praying together are more liked than eight people praying individually. Eight people praying together is more liked by Allah Ta’ala than 100 people praying separately.” (Tibraani)

My Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam’s beloved devotees! The above Hadith tells us that we should join as big a congregation as possible so that we obtain more rewards and are in a more liked gathering. However, make sure that the congregation is made up of slaves of Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam. If the leader (Imam) is an insultor (Gustaakh) of Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam, no matter how big the congregation is, we should not follow him. It is better to pray alone rather than pray behind someone like this. May Allah Ta’ala guide us all to pray behind Sunni Imams. Aameen.

Stay With The Congregation

Hazrat Abu Darda radiallaho ta’ala anhu narrates that Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam said, “When there are three people

present in a town or a jungle, and they do not pray in congregation, Shaitaan overpowers (gains control over) them. Therefore hold on to congregations firmly, because the goat that wanders away from its area is eaten by wolves.”



My Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam’s beloved devotees! The world sees us as a morsel of food and wants to eat us. One of the reasons for this is that everyone wants to be the leader (Imam), no one wants to be a follower (Muqtadi). To pray separately has become our identity. The order is to pray in congregation even if there are only few people in a village or in the wilds. Here we have people all around us and still we cannot organise it. If only we would be careful about congregations and organise them properly. If we did so, no tyrant wolf would view us as goats and try to destroy us. We pray to Allah Ta’ala that he guides us towards this. Aameen.

Emphasised to A Blind Person

Hazrat Abdullah Bin Umm E Maktoom radiallaho ta’ala anhu asked Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam, “There are many dangerous animals in Madinah and I am blind. Is it possible me for me to pray at home?” Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam said, “Can you hear ‘Hayya Alas Salah, Hayya Alal Falah’ (Come to Prayer, Come To Success)? He replied that he could. Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam said, “Come to the mosque.” (Abu Daud)

My Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam’s beloved devotees! Just think, a blind person was told by Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam to come to the mosque upon hearing the words of the call to prayer (Azaan). How regretful it is that despite being healthy, having sight, we hear this call from our local mosque many times but do not pay any heed to it? Alas! If only we would respect the order of Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam and go to the mosque and join in the congregation. May Allah Ta’ala guide us all to this. Aameen.

Be at the Front of the Congregation

Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam saw the companions sitting at the back and said, “Move forward and follow me so that ones after you will follow you. If people stay seated at the back then Allah Ta’ala will leave them at the back.” (Muslim Shareef)

My Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam’s beloved devotees! If we concentrate on the above Hadith, we will see for ourselves the reason for being left behind by the world. Is it not our situation today that when we do go to the mosque, instead of being in the first row, we prefer to be at the back? This is why we are behind the rest of the world in all fields. Remember that if we want to move ahead we must start making the effort from today, because the blessings of prayer in congregation will move us to the front. May Allah Ta’ala guide us all. Aameen.

Hazrat Abu Bakr Bin Abi Hashma radiallaho ta’ala anhu narrates that Ameer Ul Mo’mineen Hazrat Faruq E Azam radiallaho ta’ala anhu did not see Hazrat Sulaiman Bin Hashma radiallaho ta’ala anhu in Fajr prayers. Later on Hazrat Umar radiallaho ta’ala anhu was heading to the market and walked past Hazrat Sulaiman’s house radiallaho ta’ala anhu. He met Hazrat Sulaiman’s mother and asked her the reason for her son’s absence from the morning prayer. She replied that he was praying all night and was tired so prayed the morning prayer at home and went to sleep. Hazrat Umar radiallaho ta’ala anhu said, “The morning prayer in congregation is more beloved to me that standing in worship all night.” (Muw’atta Imam Malik)

My Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam’s beloved devotees! We should learn from this incident. We spend all night in gatherings and then might pray the morning (Fajar) prayer at home or not pray it at all. Staying up all night is worthless if it leads to missing the morning prayer or missing the morning congregation. The reason for the successes of our pious predecessors was that they paid special attention to performing all the prayers with the congregation. The reason for our downfall is the fact that we miss prayers and miss the congregational prayers. May Allah Ta’ala guide us all. Aameen.

House of Mercy

Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam said, “Allah Ta’ala has decorated an exalted city in paradise, whose name is “Madinatul Khuld.” There is a palace in it called “Qasrey Azmat.” There is a beautiful house in it called “Bait ur Rehmah” in which are 1000 thrones, and 4000 maidens. There are also things in this house that no eye has seen before, no ear has heard, and no mind can even imagine.” He was asked, “Who is that house for?” Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam replied, “It is for the person that prays all five prayers each day with congregation.” (Nuzhatul Majaalis)

My Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam’s beloved devotees! We can see how much reward and bounties are given to one that performs prayers with congregation. We should try and obtain the mentioned rewards by performing prayers in congregation. May Allah Ta’ala fill all our lives with blessings. Aameen.

Better Than Both Worlds

Hazrat Imam Nishapoori alaihir rehmah says that to obtain the morning “Takbeer” (to be present when it is said), is better than both worlds. (Nuzhatul Majaalis)

It is reported that Hazrat Maimoon Bin Mehraan arrived at the mosque and was told that the congregational prayer had ended. Upon hearing this he said, “Inna Lillahe Wa Inna Ilayhe Raaje-oon” and said, “The blessings of this congregation is more beloved to me than being the ruler of Iraq. (Makashifat Ul Quloob)

Hazrat Umar Faruq radiallaho ta’ala anhu missed a congregational prayer. He gave away a large piece of land that was worth a great deal of money. Hazrat Abdullah Bin Umar radiallaho ta’ala anhuma missed one congregational prayer. He fasted for a day, spent all night in voluntary prayers and freed a slave. (Nuzhatul Majaalis, Page 511)

Allama Ibn Jauzi alaihir rehmah reports that a pious person was not able to perform one prayer with congregation. He repeated that prayer 27 times, because it is reported in Hadith that praying with the congregation is 27 times better than praying alone. Then he saw in a dream a group of people on horseback that seemed like a congregation. He wanted to join them but they said, “You did not perform your prayer with congregation, how can you join us?” (Nuzhatul Majaalis)

My Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam’s beloved devotees! We should read this and contemplate. Are we ever upset if we miss the congregational prayer? Definitely not! Today we forsake prayer for a few pounds, for the pleasure of friends. The way of those drowned in love of Allah Ta’ala is that they would be greatly upset and would shed tears if they missed the congregation. Alas! If only we would follow in the footsteps of our pious predecessors. May Allah Ta’ala instil in us the passion to follow them. Aameen.

The Wrath Of Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam

Hazrat Abu Hurairah radiallaho ta’ala anhu narrates that Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam said, “I swear by Him in whose Hand of Power is my life, I wish to gather some wood and give the order for the azaan to be given. Then I want to appoint someone to lead the prayer. Then I would go and burn the houses of all those that did not come for prayer with them still in their homes. I swear by Him Who Controls my life, if they thought they were going to receive a large bone with just a little bit of meat on it or the two hooves of the goat they would definitely come for Isha prayer.”

My Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam’s beloved devotees! Concentrate on the words of the Hadith. These are the words of the merciful Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam that loves his ummah so much that their pain and trouble causes him grief and pain. However, that merciful and benevolent Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam, is expressing a desire to burn the person that misses the congregational prayer along with his house. May Allah Ta’ala save us from all those actions which cause the displeasure of Him and His Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam. Aameen.
Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Abbas radiallaho ta’ala anhuma was asked, “What do you say about the person that fasts during the day, spends his nights in worship, but does not attend the congregational prayers or Friday prayers (Jum’a)?” He replied, “He is a dweller of the hellfire.” (Tirmizi Shareef)

My Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam’s beloved devotees! If any of us miss congregational prayers without a lawful reason we should beg forgiveness today and mend our ways. Otherwise be prepared to make the hellfire your home. May Allah Ta’ala guide us all. Aameen.

Hazrat Muaz Bin Anas radiallaho ta’ala anhu narrates that Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam said, “Injustice is pure injustice and infidelity (kufr) and hypocrisy (munafiqat) is that you hear the caller calling you to prayer and you do not attend”. In another Hadith Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam said, “When a believer hears the caller calling for prayer and he does not attend, that is enough for him to be forsaken and have bad luck.”
My Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam’s beloved devotees! We see from both these Hadith that is does not befit a believer that he does not attend the prayers in the mosque. Not only that, but praying alone at home without a valid reason is a sign of injustice, infidelity and hypocrisy. Therefore! Stop missing the congregational prayers and beg forgiveness in the court of Allah Ta’ala today. He is the Forgiving , The Merciful One and will forgive our sins. May Allah Ta’ala guide all the Muslims to perform prayers in congregation. Aameen.

It is reported on the authority of Hazrat Ibn E Abbas radiallaho ta’ala anhuma that whosoever hears “Come to success (Hayya Alal Falah)” and does not come to the mosque, has given up on following the Sunnah of Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam.
(Tibrani)

Hazrat Abhu Sha’sa radiallaho ta’ala anhu states that we were sat in the mosque close to Hazrat Abu Hurairah radiallaho ta’ala anhu. The muezzin recited the azaan for Asar prayer. One person got up and left the mosque. Hazrat Abu Hurairah said, “That person has definitely disobeyed the commands of Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam.” (Sunan Baihiqi)

Hazrat Abu Hurairah radiallaho ta’ala anhu has said that it is better to fill a persons ears with broken glass if he hears the azaan and does not answer it (meaning does not go for congregational prayers). (Mukashifat Ul Quloob)
My Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam’s beloved devotees! We warn people about the dangers of not obeying the Sunnah of the beard, Imama, Miswaak etc but do not warn them about missing congregational prayers. Nor do we encourage people to join in the congregational prayers.


sallalaho alaihe wasallam.


This Sunnah of congregational prayers is so much loved by Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam that leaving it causes our Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam great pain and unhappiness. If we hear the azaan and still do not attend the
congregational prayer, there is no doubt that we have no desire or passion to please Rasool Allah    May

Allah Ta’ala guide us all to perform prayers in congregation. Aameen

Leaving The Sunnahs Will Lead to Misguidance

Hazrat Abdullah Ibn E Abbas radiallaho ta’ala anhuma narrates that our view was that “a person that missed congregational prayers was either ill or a hypocrite. An ill person would seek the support of two people and would definitely come for prayer. Rasool Allah sallalaho alaihe wasallam taught us to do good things and one of the good thing is to pray in the mosque where azaan is given.” It is reported in another narration that “Whoever desires that he meets his Creator on the day of judgement as a Muslim should perform his prayer in a mosque where the azaan has been recited because Allah Ta’ala has given your Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam good things and prayer in congregation is goodness. If you pray in your homes then you are abandoning the actions of your Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam and if you abandon the Sunnah of your Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam you will definitely be misguided.

The person that performs ablution and walks towards the mosque, reward for each step he takes is written for him by Allah Ta’ala, and his status is raised for each step that he takes and one sin is forgiven for each step taken. Believe in the fact that only those people whose hypocrisy is evident to all miss congregational prayers. Some people come with the support of two others until they are put in the row on the congregation.” (Muslim)

Wisdom of Congregational Prayers

My Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam’s beloved devotees! There is no doubt that prayer improves every aspect of our individual lives and also benefits the community and nation at large. Allah Ta’ala says, “And establish prayer, pay the poor due and bow down with those that bow.” (Surah Baqarah, verse 43)

This verse firmly orders us to pray in congregation. Plural tense has been used at the beginning and the end of the verse and the congregational prayer is reinforced at the end of the verse.
My Beloved Prophet sallalaho alaihe wasallam’s beloved devotees! There is much wisdom in the fact that we are told to perform prayers in congregation as opposed to praying alone at home.
•It gives the Muslims the opportunity to get together five times in a day. They are able to know what state everyone is in. They can find out if anyone in the area is hungry, ill or in need of anything.
•This increased meeting leads to compassion, love and understanding amongst the people. Sharing in the happiness and grief of each other builds a happy, healthy community.
•A person realises that if we are not allowed to pray alone without a valid reason, then how can I live my life alone and not be a part of the community?
May Allah Ta’ala guide us all to perform prayers in congregation. Aameen.