❖ Reward of Congregational Prayer vs. Individual Prayer ❖
Narration:On the authority of ʿAbdullah ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“The congregational prayer is twenty-seven degrees superior to the individual prayer.”
(Bukhari: 645, Muslim: 650)
In another narration by Abu Saʿid رضي الله عنه:
“It is twenty-five degrees more rewarding.”
(Bukhari: 646)
And in a narration by Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه:
“It is twenty-five portions more rewarding.”
(Bukhari: 648, Muslim: 649)
✦ Key Lessons and Benefits:
➊ Congregational prayer is a highly emphasized act in Islam.These Ahadith do not suggest that individual prayer is completely invalid, but rather emphasize the great reward of praying in congregation. The mention of individual prayer in comparison signifies that a person who misses the congregation due to a valid excuse receives far less reward.
➋ There is no contradiction between the narrations mentioning 25 and 27 degrees.
It could be that the Prophet ﷺ initially mentioned 25 and later clarified it as 27. Some scholars have also explained the difference based on factors such as level of concentration, size of the congregation, or distance of the mosque from one's home. Others attribute it to completeness in ablution (Isbāgh al-Wudū’), intention, use of miswak, etc.
➌ Variation in nature of deeds leads to variation in reward.
Certain deeds are far more rewarding than others due to their nature and associated sincerity or effort.
➍ The philosophy behind varying rewards is to promote encouragement and serve as a form of trial.
This keeps the believer engaged and striving for excellence in their actions.
This content is derived from the book “Ḍiyā’ al-Islām fī Sharḥ al-Imām bi-Aḥādīth al-Aḥkām” by Shaykh Taqiyy al-Dīn Abī al-Fatḥ, translated by Maulana Mahmood Ahmad Ghaznfar.