✍ Written by: Hafiz Muti'ullah
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "The prayer of a man in congregation is more excellent than his prayer in his house or in his marketplace by twenty-some degrees. That is because when he performs ablution perfectly and then proceeds to the mosque, with nothing motivating him except the prayer, then for every step he takes, he is raised by one degree and one sin is erased until he enters the mosque. When he enters the mosque, he is considered to be in a state of prayer as long as it is the prayer that holds him there. The angels continue to send blessings upon him as long as he remains in his place of prayer, saying: ‘O Allah, have mercy upon him. O Allah, forgive him. O Allah, turn to him in mercy,’ so long as he does not harm anyone or break his ablution.”
(Muttafaqun Alayh – Agreed upon. This wording is from Sahih Muslim.)
➋ Building a mosque within a marketplace is permissible, because if individual prayer is allowed there, then establishing a mosque for congregational prayer is even more so.
➌ Congregational prayer holds far superior virtue over individual prayer, by twenty-some degrees.
However, this does not imply that congregational prayer is merely recommended; rather, based on other evidences, it is obligatory.
The Prophet ﷺ instructed a blind companion to attend the mosque upon hearing the call to prayer, and issued warnings for those who absent themselves from congregational prayer.
Thus, while individual prayer is valid, abandoning congregation is sinful.
➍ This immense virtue is achieved by those who come to the mosque purely for the sake of prayer, as stated in the Hadith: "He comes to the mosque with no intention except prayer."
➎ The angels pray for and seek forgiveness for believers, as also clarified in Surah Al-Mu'min (verses 7–9).
➏ Remaining in a state of ablution while waiting for the next prayer is recommended.
Hadith Authentication:
Evidence from Hadith
❀ Narrated by Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه):The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "The prayer of a man in congregation is more excellent than his prayer in his house or in his marketplace by twenty-some degrees. That is because when he performs ablution perfectly and then proceeds to the mosque, with nothing motivating him except the prayer, then for every step he takes, he is raised by one degree and one sin is erased until he enters the mosque. When he enters the mosque, he is considered to be in a state of prayer as long as it is the prayer that holds him there. The angels continue to send blessings upon him as long as he remains in his place of prayer, saying: ‘O Allah, have mercy upon him. O Allah, forgive him. O Allah, turn to him in mercy,’ so long as he does not harm anyone or break his ablution.”
(Muttafaqun Alayh – Agreed upon. This wording is from Sahih Muslim.)
Explanation of Vocabulary
- ينْهَزُهُ:
(Ya' and Ha' with Fathah, and then Za')
Meaning: To urge or raise someone. - البضع:
Number between three and nine. - أحسن الوضوء:
Performed ablution excellently. - خطوة:
- With Dammah on "Kha": Distance between two steps.
- With Fathah on "Kha": A single step.
- حُط:
Sin is erased. - خطيئة:
Sin or wrongdoing. - ما لم يحدث:
As long as he does not break his ablution.
Fiqh (Understanding) of the Hadith
➊ Praying individually at home or in the market is permissible, because if it were not allowed, it would not be assigned a single degree compared to congregational prayer.➋ Building a mosque within a marketplace is permissible, because if individual prayer is allowed there, then establishing a mosque for congregational prayer is even more so.
➌ Congregational prayer holds far superior virtue over individual prayer, by twenty-some degrees.
However, this does not imply that congregational prayer is merely recommended; rather, based on other evidences, it is obligatory.
The Prophet ﷺ instructed a blind companion to attend the mosque upon hearing the call to prayer, and issued warnings for those who absent themselves from congregational prayer.
Thus, while individual prayer is valid, abandoning congregation is sinful.
➍ This immense virtue is achieved by those who come to the mosque purely for the sake of prayer, as stated in the Hadith: "He comes to the mosque with no intention except prayer."
➎ The angels pray for and seek forgiveness for believers, as also clarified in Surah Al-Mu'min (verses 7–9).
➏ Remaining in a state of ablution while waiting for the next prayer is recommended.
Hadith Authentication:
- Narrated by al-Bukhari (1/564 - Fath al-Bari) and Muslim (649, 272).
