Congregation Prayer For Men At The Masjid
We advise these people to fear Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, and to pray in congregation with the Muslims in the mosques, for the most correct scholarly view on these matters is that prayer in congregation must be offered in the mosques, and it is not permissible for a man to stay away from congregational prayers in the mosque unless he has an excuse.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I was thinking of ordering a man to give the iqaamah, then I would order a man to lead the people in prayer, and I would go with some men carrying bundles of firewood, to people who do not attend the prayer in congregation, and I would burn their houses down around them.”
These people may have prayed, but the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) wanted them to pray with the congregation that is described as such in sharee’ah, and the congregation that is described as such in sharee’ah is the congregation that prays in the mosque. And the mosques are the places where people are called to come at the time of prayer.
Hence ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) said:
“Whoever would like to meet Allaah tomorrow as a Muslim, let him regularly attend these prayers where the call to them is given.”
“Where the call to them is given” means the place from which the call is made. This has to do with the five daily prayers.
With regard to Jumu’ah (Friday prayer), it is definitely obligatory to offer it in the mosque.
With regard to naafil prayers, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“The best of prayers is that which is offered in one’s house, except the obligatory prayers.”
Based on this, it is better for a person to offer voluntary prayers in his house, apart from the voluntary prayers which are prescribed in the mosque such as the eclipse prayer, assuming it is not obligatory. And Allaah is the Source of strength.
Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 15/19
