How does a person attain the virtue of congregational prayer?

The Shaykh : , Now we ask, do you see how much was the reward of these worshippers? Ten, a hundred, seven hundred, or many times over? Can you say anything from these possibilities? No, I tell you that every individual among these individuals who prayed behind the imam, if they perfected their prayer, if they perfected their prayer and did not neglect it, then the virtue of the congregation is written for them from twenty-seven degrees. But either the good deed is multiplied by ten, or by a hundred, or by seven hundred, or by many times over. The rewards for these people are not equal; rather, they differ greatly. And this is the one who performed ablution in his house and perfected his ablution, then came to the mosque of the congregation and found that they had already prayed. The reward of their prayer is written for him, meaning at least ten. As for the multiplication, the multiplication is not possible except for the one who came to the deed with intention and purpose, and not just that, but he came to the deed at that time. Then it is possible that the deed is multiplied to many times over, as you heard in the Prophetic hadith. So I think you have understood the answer to your question. The scholars differed on how a person attains the virtue of congregational prayer. Some said by attaining one rak'ah, and it is necessary. Others said otherwise. But the Messenger (peace be upon him) says: . Here we say that they are not equal. For example, the one who attained the congregational prayer from the first takbir of intention and the one who attained the prayer at the end, before the imam's taslim, are they equal? For example? They are not equal. Consequently, the one who left the house and found that the congregation had prayed, is it written for him like the reward of the one who prayed with them? No, it is not counted for him that the reward is written without what? Multiplication. It is clear.

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : Okay, anyone else? Where is the one with the questions?

The questioner : May Allah reward you. Before the 'Isha' prayer, we asked about the best books of Islamic jurisprudence in your opinion, and we left the session and went to the 'Isha' prayer. We do not know if you completed this question or not?

The Shaykh : In my opinion, he completed it.

The questioner : He completed it.

The Shaykh: Yes.

The questioner: All right.