The ruling on praying in a mosque that has no imam

Question:
There is a mosque near me, but it has no imam. Is it obligatory for me to pray in it? And if there is an imam in this mosque, is there a sin on me if I pray in my house?

Answer:
It is obligatory for you to pray in congregation, and it is not permissible for you to pray in your house, even if there is no imam in the mosque. The congregation of the mosque must appoint their most knowledgeable and best person to lead them in prayer. It is not permissible for you or anyone else to pray in the house and leave the congregation, due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): The excuse is illness, fear, and the like of what prevents a person from going to the mosque. It is established from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) that a blind man came to him seeking permission to pray in his house, mentioning that he had no guide to lead him to the mosque. He said to him (peace and blessings be upon him): He said: Yes. He said: If the blind man who has no guide is commanded to respond, how much more so is it for others whom Allah has blessed.