27 reasons why its
better to pray in congregation (Jamaah)
As Imām ibn Hajr (rh) has mentioned in his
encyclopaedic work Fath al-Bārī, one can enumerate 27, if not more,
excellent reasons to pray in Jamā‛ah due to all the following
hasanaat (actions that are rewarded) that can be achieved. What is
truly amazing is that each of the following points is to be found in
specific narrations of the Prophet (SAW) encouraging us to that
particular action:
1. Responding to the Mu'adhdhin (the caller to prayer) with the
intention to pray in Jamā‛ah
2. Arriving early to pray in its beginning time
3. Going to the Mosque with sakīnah (with calmness and humility).
4. Entering the Mosque in supplication
5. Greeting the Mosque with two raka‛āt of Tahiyyatul Masjid (the
prayer for the Mosque)
6. Waiting in the Mosque for the Jamā‛ah to start
7. The Angels praying for you and seeking forgiveness for you
8. The Angels will bear witness for you
9. Safety from the Devil as he flees at hearing the Iqāmah (the
second call that establishes the prayer)
10. Responding to the call of the Iqāmah
11. Standing and waiting with the Imām in readiness to enter a state
where everything else other than the prayer will become harām
12. Being present for the Takbīratul Ihrām (the start of the prayer)
13. Straightening the rows and closing the gaps
14. Responding to the Imām when he says, "Sami-Allāhu liman hamidah"
(Allāh Hears the one who praises Him)
15. A greater chance of not forgetting in the prayer, or being able
to remind the Imām if he forgets
16. A greater chance of perfecting the external aspects of the
prayer
17. A greater chance to achieve peace and humility in the prayer
from what normally distracts oneself whilst praying alone
18. Being surrounded by the Angels throughout the prayer
19. Familiarising oneself with the recitation of the Qur‛ān and the
pillars of the prayer
20. Promoting the signs and rituals of Islām
21. Defeating the attempts of Satan by the combined worship of those
in the congregation, and the encouragement of one another in the
obedience of Allāh whilst helping the lazy to become stronger
22. Safety from showing the sign of the hyprocrites (not attending
the Mosque) and the bad opinions of others who may think that you do
not pray
23. The returning of the Salām upon the Imām (at the end of the
prayer)
24. Benefiting from the congregation in supplications and dhikr,
whilst at the same time enjoying the combined blessings of others
when one is deficient (in blessing) by himself
25. Establishing good relations with your neighbours, looking out
for them especially at the prayer times
26. Listening and deeply reflecting upon the recitation of the Imām
27. Joining in with the Imām and the Angels in saying Ameen after
Sūrah al-Fātihah.
With such a treasure of excellent actions and great reward waiting
for us when we sincerely go to worship Allāh in His houses, it is
crazy that we are missing out by praying individually or
unfortunately, and unbelievably so by not praying at all!
So the next time someone gives you a call inviting you to the Mosque
for the congregational prayer, why don't you give them these 27
reasons on why you've been in the Mosque for ages before they
called!
Related Articles:
The importance of prayer
Translation of salaah
(prayer)
Times and units of
salaah (prayer)
Guidelines to help your
observe fajr
The Importance of Yawm ul
Jumuah(Friday)
Abandoning prayer - a major
sin
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