The Meaning of Adhering to the Congregation in the Hadith

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, and he said (may Allah have mercy on him): We see the honorable believers saying that the statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), “And on the day of the congregation, whoever is most severe among the sons of [such-and-such] has a preference over the Friday prayer,” means that the intent is the congregational prayer among the Muslims.

Answer:
The hadith is general regarding the congregational prayer and other matters. The congregation of the Muslims, and obedience and compliance, is the primary congregation. Therefore, it is general for the congregation of the Muslims in obedience and compliance, in the congregational prayer, and in what the Muslims are upon, being with them and not being an outlier among the Muslims. This includes opposing the one in authority, or not praying the congregational prayer with the Muslims, or adopting beliefs that contradict what the Muslims are upon, or actions, or otherwise, becoming an outlier.