My father does not pray in congregation except on Friday, and it is difficult to guide him to the right path, as he says: "Look at yourself for being late to the Fajr prayer."

The questioner : May Allah reward the honorableThe Shaykh : My father does not pray in congregation except on Friday, and it is difficult to guide him, and it is difficult to guide him to the right path, as he says: "Look at yourself for being late to the Fajr prayer," and this lateness is rare on my part. What is the best approach for me to address this problem?

The Shaykh : Now, this questioner needs treatment, and his father needs treatment. As for him, he needs treatment by making every effort to be punctual for the Fajr prayer, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: He should use the means that help him wake up, such as an alarm clock, for example, or a telephone, and he should instruct one of his companions to wake him up when the Fajr adhan is called. As for his father, I advise this father, and I say to him: Fear Allah, and pray in congregation, for the congregational prayer is better than the prayer of an individual by how much? By twenty-seven degrees. Moreover, some of the precise scholars who are leaders in the Islamic world hold the view that one who delays the congregational prayer without a valid religious excuse has no prayer, even if he prays a thousand times. Among these is Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him), for he used to say: One who does not pray in congregation without an excuse has no prayer. This is also a narration from Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (may Allah have mercy on him). The issue is serious, but the stronger position is that the prayer is valid, but the one who abandons the congregation without an excuse is sinful. Perhaps Allah will seal his heart—seeking refuge in Allah—because sins—may Allah grant us safety—affect the heart. Allah Blessed and Exalted is He said: So look at how sins have hidden the truth from the heart until he reads the Qur'an as if it were the legends of the ancients, may Allah grant us safety. So my advice to this man is: Fear Allah, pray in congregation, and train yourself until you taste the sweetness of faith, so that praying in congregation becomes easy for you.
Yes.