What is the limit of the distance within which it is obligatory for a Muslim to attend the congregational prayer if he hears the adhan?

The questioner : Specifically, how do we determine the amount in meters or ...?

The Shaykh : Approximately, not specifically; because it is not possible to set material limits for this issue that cannot be exceeded. I give you an example that naturally differs: one who is in a town where the buildings are still modest, as they were in the early periods; merely the mu'adhdhin climbing onto the roof of the mosque and calling the adhan, his voice reaches the surrounding houses. But if we look at these tall, high-rise buildings today, the natural voice of the mu'adhdhin may not reach them. So this situation is not equal to the first situation. We also give a second example: the mosque is on top of a mountain, and there are houses on the slope of the mountain as well. The path to the mosque is not a straight path like the streets that exist today, but as you see, the paths in the mountains that animals, such as goats and sheep, use, are winding. So, one who hears the adhan and is on the slope of the mountain, by the time he reaches the top of the mountain, he has heard the voice because the voice travels straight like an arrow. As for the one who wants to reach the source of the voice, he must wind his way like this and like this until he reaches there. This is a third example that shows to the listeners clearly that it is not possible to set material limits in this matter that cannot be exceeded or ignored. So here the matter returns to what is called today the conscience of the person, which the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) expressed by his saying: So, when one hears the adhan of the mosque with a loudspeaker, he knows whether he can respond to the mu'adhdhin to the mosque without hardship? So, in that case, it is obligatory for him to respond, otherwise it is not. In summary, a material limit cannot be set for such an issue, and Allah knows best.