What is the ruling on performing the daily obligatory prayers in congregation?

Islam places great importance on unity and solidarity. Performing the five daily prayers, the weekly Friday prayer, and the two annual Eid prayers in congregation serves to ensure that believers are aware of one another, meet and bond, and help each other. In this respect, praying in congregation plays a significant role in strengthening and maintaining the desired spirit of unity.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) led the five daily prayers in congregation as the imam from the time they were made obligatory until the end of his life, and he encouraged Muslims to perform their prayers in congregation as well. (Abu Dawud, Salat, 48-49) There are many hadiths that emphasize the importance of congregation. In one of them, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “If three people are in a village or in the desert and do not pray together, Satan will overpower them. So do not separate from the congregation, for the wolf eats only the sheep that strays from the flock.” (Abu Dawud, Salat, 47 [547]) In addition, the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated that the reward for a prayer performed in congregation is 27 times greater than that of a prayer performed alone. (Bukhari, Adhan, 30 [645]; Muslim, Masajid, 249 [650])

Based on these and similar hadiths and relevant verses, the Hanbalis have stated that performing the five daily prayers in congregation is an individual obligation (fard ‘ayn) for men, while the Shafi‘is consider it a communal obligation (fard kifayah). According to the Hanafis and Malikis, performing the obligatory prayers in congregation, except for the Friday prayer, is a highly emphasized Sunnah (sunnah mu’akkadah) for men who are able to do so. (Marghinani, al-Hidaya, 1/56; Jaziri, al-Madhahib al-Arba‘a, 1/368-369)

Accordingly, unless there is a valid excuse preventing one from joining the congregation, every effort should be made to perform the five daily prayers in congregation. Indeed, the Prophet (peace be upon him) informed that for every step taken towards the mosque, a person is raised one degree and one sin is erased. (Bukhari, Adhan, 30 [647]; Abu Dawud, Salat, 49 [559])

Source: T.C. Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı, Din İşleri Yüksek Kurulu