:عن ابن عمر أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال
“صلاة الجماعة تفضل على صلاة أحدكم بسبع وعشرين درجة”
On the authority of Ibn Umar, that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said, “The congregational prayer is 27 times better than the prayer of the individual by himself “.
A brief explanation
The congregational prayer was legislated for many different reasons. It is a way of bringing together the hearts of the people in one of the greatest types of worship. This particular type of worship purifies the soul and cleanses ones innate nature.
It is something that pushes the Muslims (all together) to equality. We see this when the rich stands next to the poor, the elder next to the youth and the rulers next to those under their rule. Their heads are all in one straight row, just as their feet are. When this happens, they tend to forget about the things that separate them in this life from those things which some of them have more then the others, like money, cars, homes etc. They begin to remember that the thing that really makes them better in the sight of Allah is having sincerity in singling out Allah in worship (Ikhlaas).
The prayer in congregation is a reminder that we need to be one in our purpose or goal. It reminds us that we need to be working together in piety and righteousness and working towards the good of the Ummah.
By way of it the people get use to some type of order and coming together to do that which is obligatory on them. It also gets them used to coming together and being together under one leader.
Along with it, we find it to be one of the great signs of the strength of Islam and the Muslims.
Because of all which we discussed here, and other then it, we find the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) used to command the people with the performance of the prayer in congregation. We know that He didn’t just leave it as a command but rather explained that the reward for it is 27 times greater then the pray of the individual by himself.
Therefore, it is upon every Muslim to strive hard to establish the prayer in congregation, and not leave it off except for a good reason.
That which is benefited from the hadeeth
- The virtues of the congregational prayer, and its reward.
- The need to rush to the masjid and establish in it the prayer and other forms of worship.
- A recommendation for the Muslims to come together in important matters, and work together for the establishment of piety and righteousness.
