What is the virtue of praying in the wilderness, and is it better than praying in congregation?
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The questioner : The virtue of praying in the wilderness, in the open desert, I mean. And does it differ from praying in congregation?
The Shaykh : Praying in congregation is undoubtedly better. However, a person in the wilderness is known only to Allah. So, if he stands up and prays when the time enters, and no one sees him except his Lord, that is evidence of his sincerity. Thus, the prayer of this person in the wilderness is equivalent to fifty prayers if he had prayed alone in front of people, due to the perfection of his sincerity.
The Shaykh : Praying in congregation is undoubtedly better. However, a person in the wilderness is known only to Allah. So, if he stands up and prays when the time enters, and no one sees him except his Lord, that is evidence of his sincerity. Thus, the prayer of this person in the wilderness is equivalent to fifty prayers if he had prayed alone in front of people, due to the perfection of his sincerity.