Sayyiduna Malik bin al-Huwayrith (may Allah be pleased with him) said: We came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), all of us young men of similar age. We stayed with him (peace and blessings be upon him) for twenty nights. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was most merciful and gentle. He (peace and blessings be upon him) sensed that we were missing our families, so he (peace and blessings be upon him) asked us about those we had left behind (at home). We told him (peace and blessings be upon him), and he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Go back to your families, stay with them, teach them (the religion), and command them (to do good); and when the time of prayer comes, let one of you give the adhan, and let the eldest of you lead you in prayer."
Hadith Referenceالسنن الكبرى للبيهقي / كتاب الصلاة / 4928
Ma'dan bin Abi Talhah al-Ya'mari (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Abu al-Darda' (may Allah be pleased with him) asked me: Where do you live? I said: In a small village this side of Hims. Abu al-Darda' (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: "If there are three men in a town or in the desert and the prayer is not established there, Satan has gained mastery over that place. So hold fast to the congregation, for the wolf eats the (sheep) that strays far."
Al-Sa'ib said: By the congregation he meant the congregation in prayer.
Hadith Referenceالسنن الكبرى للبيهقي / كتاب الصلاة / 4929