1. The Virtues of Congregational Prayer (Part I)

2. The Holy Quran has drawn the attention of Muslims towards observing prayer by repeatedly citing the injunction ‘Observe prayer’.

3. The Holy Prophetsa has stated that prayer is the central pillar of worship.
(Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Kitabud-Da’waat)

4. In fact, the Holy Prophetsa also stated that abandoning prayer leads a person closer to disbelief and Shirk [idolatry].
(Sahih Muslim, Kitbul-Iman)

5. Furthermore, expounding on the importance of prayer, the Holy Prophetsa stated that the very first thing which mankind will be accounted for on the Day of Judgment will be regarding his/her prayer. If one succeeds in this, they will be among the prosperous and will attain salvation, otherwise they will have incurred loss and ruination.
(Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Abwabus-Salat)

6. - Al Kitab (The Book) (The Explanation) - Al Huda (The Guide)
The Holy Prophetsa stated that one should urge their children to offer prayer when they reach close to the age of seven and after the age of ten, they may even adopt certain strict measures to make them observant in prayer. (Sunan Abu Daud, Kitabus-Salat)
The Holy Qur’an is also known by other names such as:
- Al Kitab
(The Book)
- Al Bayan
(The Explanation)
- Al Huda
(The Guide)

7. For a true believer it is not only prayer which spiritually purifies a person from all impurities just as the Holy Prophetsa cited the example of a stream running outside a person’s door and stated, ‘If a person were to daily bathe in it five times in the day, will any kind of impurity remain on him?’ The Companions replied, ‘O Prophet of Allah! Surely, such a person will be pure from any form of impurity.’
It lays down the law and commandments, codes for social and moral behaviour, and contains a comprehensive religious philosophy.

8. The Holy Prophetsa then stated, ‘The same is in the case of Salat; Allah the Almighty forgives one’s sin and removes one’s shortcomings as a result of it and no kind of impurity is then left in the soul of a person who observes the five daily prayers.’
(Sahih Bukhari, Kitab Muwaqitus-Salat)

9. On another occasion, the Holy Prophetsa expounded on the importance of congregational prayer.

10. The Holy Prophetsa stated,
‘Shall I not inform you of something as a result of which Allah the Almighty will remove your sins and elevate your station?’

11. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them all) responded,
‘O Prophet of Allah, certainly do tell us.’

12. The Holy Prophetsa stated, (Sahih Muslim, Kitabut-Taharah)
‘Perform the ablution in a thorough manner even if your heart does not desire to do so, and travel to the mosque from a distance and after completing the prayer, remain in await for the next prayer and this will enable you to repel sin.’
(Sahih Muslim, Kitabut-Taharah)

13. (Sahih Bukhari, Kitabul-Adhan)
It is stated in Ahadith that the reward for observing prayer in congregation is twenty-seven times greater than offering it individually.
(Sahih Bukhari, Kitabul-Adhan)

14. Explaining the importance of congregational prayer, the Promised Messiahas states:
“The wisdom in attaching a greater reward with congregational prayer is so that it may establish unity. In fact, in order to establish this unity in the physical form also, we are instructed to place the feet evenly in a line.”

15. (Malfuzat, Vol. VIII, pp.247-248)
“This is to signify that we are like one body and enable one’s spiritual light to permeate into the other… Those factors which draw distinctions between men will be eliminated; the rich and the poor will all stand in one line...Remember! Man has the potential to absorb the spiritual radiance of others.”
(Malfuzat, Vol. VIII, pp )

16. QUIZ

17. 1. How has the Holy Quran drawn our attention toward prayer?
2. Complete the following statement: Prayer is the central pillar of ________
3. According to the saying of the Holy Prophetsa, abandoning prayer leads a person closer to what?
4. According to the Hadith, what will the first thing mankind will be accounted for on the Day of Judgement?

18. 5. How old should a child be for the parents to adopt strcit measures in order for the child to be regular in their prayer?
6. ‘If a person were to daily bathe in it five times in the day, will any kind of impurity remain on him? Explain the meaning of this question posed by the Holy Prophetsa

19. 7. How many more times is the reward for congregational prayer?
8. What is the philosophy of congregational prayer explained by the Promised Messiahas?