Salah with Congregation

Mosques and masjids are the sanctuaries of Muslims and it is the place where Allah (swt) is worshipped in unity and solidarity. (At-Tawbah, 9/18; Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, Iman, 8; Sunan Ibn Majah, Masajid, 19) It is for this reason that, when a person leaves his house and heads for a mosque, one step becomes a reward and the other step removes a sin.  (Sunan an-Nasai, Masajid, 14; Ibn Hanbal, II, 320)

One of the goals that Islam wants to achieve is to create an ummah (community) that is conscious, has clear goals and objectives, and acts with the consciousness of seeing other Muslims as their brothers  without marginalizing them. From this point of view, ritual prayer performed with the congregation matures the spirit of brotherhood, solidarity and love among Muslims, and ensures that they are interlocked with each other, and the consciousness of "us", not "me", settles in their hearts. Because of this and many similar wisdoms, performing ritual prayers with congregation helps to get rid of sins, enter Paradise, and get rid of Hellfire. (Sahih Muslim, Taharah, 13; Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, Salah, 64; Sahih Bukhari, Adhan, 37) A hadith encourages Muslims to perform ritual prayers with congregation “The prayer in congregation is twenty seven times superior to the prayer offered by person alone.” (Sahih Bukhari, Adhan, 30)  The Prophet of Mercy (saw) invites men, as well as women, children and the disabled to perform ritual prayers in the mosque. (Sunan Abu Dawud, Salah, 52; Sahih Muslim, Masajid, 255)

The one who knows and recites the Qur’an in the best manner leads the prayer. (Sunan Abu Dawud, Salah, 60) If the mosque has an appointed official, it is better if he leads the salah. (Sahih Muslim, Masajid, 290) The imam takes the elderly, the sick, the weak and the occupations of people in consideration and keeps the salah short and concise.  (Sunan an-Nasai, Imamah, 35; Sunan Ibn Majah, Iqamah as-salawat, 48)The congregation follows the lead of the imam and synchronizes with him in ruku’, sajdah and the other rukns. They do not perform ruku’ or sajdah before the imam, and listen silently as he recites the Qur’an.  (Sunan ad-Darimi, Salah, 72)

The imam stands in the front and center of the congregation while the congregation lines up properly behind him without leaving any gaps in between. (Sunan Abu Dawud, Salah, 98) The Messenger of Allah (saw) considers lining up correctly as one of the things that beautify the salah. (Sahih Bukhari, Adhan 74) Muslims pray in a straight line without a single gap in between them as they stand behind the imam, like the bricks of a building. Thereby becoming a strong community with their hearts and feelings directed at the same goal so seeds of disturbances and disorder ruining their bonds cannot get in between them. (Sahih Muslim, Salah, 122; Sunan Abu Dawud, Salah, 93) While performing salah in the front line of the congregation is more virtuous for men, performing salah in the last line is more virtuous for women. (Sahih Muslim, Salah, 132; Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, Salah, 52)