① Command to a Blind Companion to Attend the Mosque
Story of ‘Abdullāh ibn Umm Maktūm رضي الله عنه
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrates:
A blind Companion, ‘Abdullāh ibn Umm Maktūm رضي الله عنه, came to the Prophet ﷺ and mentioned his disability, asking permission to pray at home since he had no one to guide him to the mosque.
The Prophet ﷺ initially granted him permission, but as he was leaving, the Prophet ﷺ called him back and asked:
“Do you hear the adhān?”
He replied: “Yes.”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Then come to the prayer.”
(Muslim, Mosques, Chapter: It is Obligatory to Attend the Mosque for One Who Hears the Call, 653)
Reflection:
If a blind man was not excused from attending the mosque despite his hardship, then what excuse remains for sighted individuals who neglect congregational prayer after hearing the adhān?
② Prayer Not Accepted Without Attending Congregation
Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Abbās رضي الله عنهما narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever hears the adhān and does not come to the mosque for the congregation without a valid excuse, his prayer will not be accepted.”
(Ibn Mājah, Mosques, Chapter: Severe Warning for Abandoning Congregation, 793)
③ Shayṭān’s Control Over Those Who Abandon Congregation
Sayyiduna Abu al-Dardā’ رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“If three people in a village or desert do not establish congregational prayer, Shayṭān overcomes them. So stick to the congregation.”
(Abu Dawud: 547; authenticated by al-Ḥākim, Ibn Khuzaymah, Ibn Ḥibbān, al-Dhahabī, and al-Nawawī)
④ Intention to Burn the Houses of Those Who Miss Congregation
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, I considered ordering for firewood to be gathered, then calling the adhān, appointing someone to lead the prayer, and going to the houses of those who do not attend the prayer (in congregation) to burn them down.”
(Bukhari: 644; Muslim: 651)
⑤ (Implied Warning) — Adhān as a Direct Call
Hearing the adhān is a direct summons to the mosque. Ignoring it without excuse is counted among the major neglects in Islamic practice, bringing both sin and loss of rewar
