Which is better for me: to pray with a large congregation in the early part of the night, or with a small congregation in the late part of the night?

The questioner : Which is better for me, O Shaykh, to pray with a large congregation in the early part of the night, or with a small congregation in the late part of the night?

The Shaykh : This question cannot be answered with such generality; it must be detailed. It is possible to say that the late part of the night is preferred when there are two congregations that are equal in the quality of their prayer performance, recitation, and so on. However, if they differ, then the more complete right is the one that is more complete; for example, a larger congregation prays in the early part of the night but with less recitation, while a smaller congregation prays with more recitation. Give examples of such cases. Wherever the more complete quality is found, that is the better option.