Riyad as-Salihin, 10

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "The reward for Salat performed by a person in congregation is more than 20 times greater than that of the Salat performed in one's house or shop. When one performs Wudu' perfectly and then proceeds to the mosque with the sole intention of performing Salat, then for every step he takes towards the mosque, he is upgraded one degree in reward and one of his sins is eliminated until he enters the mosque, and when he enters the mosque, he is considered as performing Salat as long as it is the Salat which prevents him (from leaving the mosque); and the angels keep on supplicating Allah for him as long as he remains in his place of prayer. They say: 'O Allah! have mercy on him; O Allah! forgive his sins; O Allah! accept his repentance'. This will carry on as long as he does not pass wind". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ ‏

‏صلاة الرجل في جماعة تزيد على صلاته في سوقه وبيته بضعاً وعشرين درجه وذلك أن أحدهم إذا توضأ فأحسن الوضوء ثم أتى المسجد لا يريد إلا الصلاة، لا ينهزه إلا الصلاة، لم يخط خطوة إلا رفع له بها درجة، وحط عنه بها خطيئة حتى يدخل المسجد، فإذا دخل المسجد كان في الصلاة ما كانت الصلاة هى تحبسه، والملائكة يصلون على أحدكم ما دام في مجلسه الذى صلى فيه، ما لم يحدث فيه‏

‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه، وهذا لفظ مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏ وقوله صلى الله عليه وسلم‏:‏ '‏‏ ‏ينهزه‏ ‏ هو بفتح الياء والهاء وبالزاى‏:‏ أى يخرجه وينهضه ‏'

References1 variant

In-Book Reference: Introduction, Hadith 10

Sharh · explanationclick to expand

Guidance from the Hadith: 1) The merit of praying in congregation at the masjid. 2) It is recommended that a man makes ablution at home to join the congregational prayer, in order to increase the reward. 3) Intention is primarily considered in securing such a great reward while failing to evoke a sincere intention reduces the reward. 4) Waiting to do a good deed is in itself a good deed. Benefit: My dear Muslim brother, may Allah grant you success! Bear in mind that attending the congregational prayer is an individual obligation on every Muslim man who hears the Adhān (call to prayer) and does not have a valid excuse for not attending. The proofs of its obligation are many, such as the saying of Allah Almighty: {When you [O Prophet] are with them and lead them in prayer, let a group of them stand [in prayer] with you...} [Surat an-Nisā’: 102] Allah mandated the congregational prayer even when Muslims are at war and fear an enemy attack. So, it is obvious that it is obligatory at times of peace and safety with greater reason. In addition, there is proof in the Sunnah that the congregational prayer is obligatory upon the blind man; so, how about the one who can see? Words in the Hadith: Twenty-something: something means a number from three to ten.

Related hadiths3