What is preferable: praying the voluntary prayers in the mosque or at home, or doing so sometimes in the mosque and sometimes at home?
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The questioner : May Allah reward you and bless you. The questioner asks: What is preferable, praying the voluntary prayers in the mosque or at home, or doing so sometimes in the mosque and sometimes at home?
The Shaykh : It is preferable for a person to pray all voluntary prayers at home, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family):Bulugh al-Maram 2:313.
However, for voluntary prayers that are recommended to be performed in congregation, such as the night prayer of Ramadan, the mosque is preferable. Likewise, the eclipse prayer is preferable to be performed in the mosque.
The important point is that for voluntary prayers where congregation is recommended, the mosque is preferable, and for those where congregation is not recommended, the home is preferable in all cases. However, if one prays them in the mosque, there is no blame on him, and it fulfills the purpose.
The Shaykh : It is preferable for a person to pray all voluntary prayers at home, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family):
The most excellent prayer of a person is (that which he prays) in his house except that which is prescribed (the five congregational prayers).
أفضل صلاة المرء في بيته إلا المكتوبةHowever, for voluntary prayers that are recommended to be performed in congregation, such as the night prayer of Ramadan, the mosque is preferable. Likewise, the eclipse prayer is preferable to be performed in the mosque.
The important point is that for voluntary prayers where congregation is recommended, the mosque is preferable, and for those where congregation is not recommended, the home is preferable in all cases. However, if one prays them in the mosque, there is no blame on him, and it fulfills the purpose.