The Hadith of 'Utbah ibn Malik and reconciling it with the hadiths regarding congregational prayer

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. He says: It is reported in the authentic hadith of 'Utbah ibn Malik that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) granted him a dispensation to be absent from the congregation. He asks: How is this reconciled with the previous hadiths?

Answer:
I do not know that he was granted a dispensation to leave the congregation. What is reported in the hadith of 'Utbah is that he asked the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) to pray in a place in his house so that he could pray there other than the obligatory prayer, meaning he would pray voluntary prayers there. You have understood it wrongly, my brother. This 'Utbah asked the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) to pray in a spot in his house so that he himself could pray the night prayer, the voluntary prayer, seeking blessing through the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). It is permissible to seek blessing through the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) specifically, unlike others. Yes.