Taken from: "Ahkam wa Masail in the Light of the Qur’an and Hadith", Volume 02
If the congregational prayer has already been performed in the mosque, or a person has a valid excuse, can he perform his prayer at home? Does praying at home reduce the reward or virtue of the prayer?
✦ If a person has a legitimate excuse—such as illness, fear, or severe weather conditions—then praying at home is allowed.
Islam permits offering salah at home under such circumstances, recognizing the hardship or risk involved. However, if no valid excuse is present, then attending the congregational prayer in the mosque is obligatory for men.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, I considered ordering for firewood to be gathered, then I would have the Adhan called, appoint a man to lead the people in prayer, and then I would go to the houses of those who do not attend the prayer and burn them down."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Bāb Wujūb Ṣalāt al-Jamāʿah; Sahih Muslim, Bāb Faḍl al-Ṣalāh fī al-Jamāʿah)
Another Hadith states:
"Whoever hears the Adhan and does not respond to it by attending the congregation, without a valid excuse, his prayer is not accepted."
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Bāb al-Taghliẓ fī al-Takhalluf ʿan al-Jamāʿah; Irwāʾ al-Ghalīl by al-Albani)
These Hadiths clearly illustrate the emphasis and obligation on attending the mosque for congregational prayer when one hears the call to prayer and is able to respond.
① Praying at home is permitted in cases of legitimate Shar‘i excuses such as illness or danger.
② In the absence of any excuse, missing congregational prayer at the mosque is a serious violation, and the reward of the prayer is greatly diminished.
③ The Prophet ﷺ warned sternly against this neglect, indicating the obligation and superiority of attending congregational prayer in the mosque.
Wallāhu Aʿlam.
❀ Question:
If the congregational prayer has already been performed in the mosque, or a person has a valid excuse, can he perform his prayer at home? Does praying at home reduce the reward or virtue of the prayer?
❀ Answer:
✦ If a person has a legitimate excuse—such as illness, fear, or severe weather conditions—then praying at home is allowed.
Islam permits offering salah at home under such circumstances, recognizing the hardship or risk involved. However, if no valid excuse is present, then attending the congregational prayer in the mosque is obligatory for men.
✿ Warning from the Prophet ﷺ Against Missing Congregational Prayer:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, I considered ordering for firewood to be gathered, then I would have the Adhan called, appoint a man to lead the people in prayer, and then I would go to the houses of those who do not attend the prayer and burn them down."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Bāb Wujūb Ṣalāt al-Jamāʿah; Sahih Muslim, Bāb Faḍl al-Ṣalāh fī al-Jamāʿah)
Another Hadith states:
"Whoever hears the Adhan and does not respond to it by attending the congregation, without a valid excuse, his prayer is not accepted."
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Bāb al-Taghliẓ fī al-Takhalluf ʿan al-Jamāʿah; Irwāʾ al-Ghalīl by al-Albani)
These Hadiths clearly illustrate the emphasis and obligation on attending the mosque for congregational prayer when one hears the call to prayer and is able to respond.
✔ Summary:
① Praying at home is permitted in cases of legitimate Shar‘i excuses such as illness or danger.
② In the absence of any excuse, missing congregational prayer at the mosque is a serious violation, and the reward of the prayer is greatly diminished.
③ The Prophet ﷺ warned sternly against this neglect, indicating the obligation and superiority of attending congregational prayer in the mosque.
Wallāhu Aʿlam.
