Youth Praying in Congregation at a Rest Stop and Hearing the Adhan

Question:
We are a group of young men living in a rest stop located about a rafi'ah away from the mosque. We can hear the adhan. Is it permissible for us to lengthen the prayer in congregation at the rest stop, or are we required to pray in the mosque? Is it far for us to go?

Answer:
First, rest stops have become wild places today, especially for young men. I do not advise them to gather there, lest a doubt arise around them or someone lies about them, causing a doubt or something else to befall them. I advise them not to gather in rest stops but to stay in their homes, and praise be to Allah. As for the issue of distance: if there is no microphone and you can hear the mu'adhdhin, you are required to attend. If there is no microphone in the mosque and you can hear the mu'adhdhin with his bare voice, you are required to attend. Whoever hears the call and does not respond has no prayer, except one who has an excuse. The criterion is hearing the mu'adhdhin without a microphone.