The Refutation of Those Who Claim That Congregational Prayer Is Not Obligatory

The questioner : If you please, my Shaykh; one of them, of course, works in the judiciary, perhaps as a deputy judge or the chief judge or something of that sort. Today, for a period of about ten days, the mu'adhdhin called the Maghrib prayer while he was sitting, so he left us and went to his house, saying: "On the basis that I am praying with them." I said to him: . He said: "But the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed in his house for the sake of legislation, and I saw him afterwards several times remaining seated at prayer time. I do not know the extent of your knowledge that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) may have prayed for the sake of legislation in such places, or?"

The Shaykh : All right; who prayed in his place?

The questioner : No one prayed, meaning...

The Shaykh : No, no, I mean the Messenger.

The questioner : Allah (the Exalted) knows best, I do not know.

The Shaykh : This claim is from a person, meaning, when the iqamah was called, who led the people until the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed in his house? Deceivers, liars, something repulsive... .

The questioner : Regarding this, my Shaykh.

The Shaykh : There is a hadith, of course, meaning the answer is clear, .