The Ruling on Praying in the Wilderness and Absenting Oneself from the Congregation
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What is the virtue of praying in the wilderness—Meaning: in the open desert—and does it differ from the congregation?
No, the congregation is undoubtedly better. However, if there is a person in a wilderness where no one knows of him except Allah, then his standing up to pray when the time enters, such that no one sees him except his Lord, is evidence of sincerity. Thus, the prayer of this person in the wilderness is equivalent to fifty prayers compared to if he had prayed alone in front of people, due to the perfection of his sincerity.
No, the congregation is undoubtedly better. However, if there is a person in a wilderness where no one knows of him except Allah, then his standing up to pray when the time enters, such that no one sees him except his Lord, is evidence of sincerity. Thus, the prayer of this person in the wilderness is equivalent to fifty prayers compared to if he had prayed alone in front of people, due to the perfection of his sincerity.