(191) Chapter: The Excellence of Performing Salat (Prayers) in Congregation

Ibn Mas'ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: He who likes to meet Allah tomorrow (i.e., on the Day of Requital) as a Muslim, should take care and observe the Salat when the Adhan is announced for them. Allah has expounded to your Prophet (ﷺ) the ways of right guidance, and these (the prayers) are part of the right guidance. If you have to perform Salat in your houses, as this man who stays away (from the mosque) and performs Salat in his house, you will abandon the Sunnah (practice) of your Prophet (ﷺ), and the departure from the Sunnah of your Prophet (ﷺ) will lead you astray. I have seen the time when no one stayed behind except a well-known hypocrite. I also saw that a man was brought swaying (on account of weakness) between two men till he was set up in a row (in the mosque). [Muslim]. Commentary: This Hadith makes the following four points: 1.Emphasis on performing Salat in congregation. 2.The passion of the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) for Salat. 3.Evasion from Salat with congregation is a practice of hypocrites. 4.Inducement for following the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) because evasion from it is bound to lead one astray.