The Ruling on Congregational Prayer in Mosques with Muslims

Question:
The questioner says: I read that congregational prayer is not obligatory as long as a person prays, even if he prays in his house or his shop or elsewhere?

Answer:
This statement is incorrect; this is a wrong statement. Congregational prayer is obligatory for the Muslim who hears the call to prayer. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever hears the call and does not come to it, there is no prayer for him except one who has an excuse." And why were mosques built, and the call to prayer made, and what is the meaning of the mu'adhdhin's saying: "Hasten to prayer"? It means: Come forward and turn toward the prayer. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) did not leave congregational prayer except when he fell ill and it became heavy for him (peace and blessings be upon him). And the Companions would bring the elderly and the sick, supporting them between two men, until they were placed in the row. Abdullah ibn Mas'ud said: "I have seen us, and none would lag behind it except a known hypocrite." So who says that congregational prayer is not obligatory with these proofs? The argument is in the saying of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and not in the saying of whoever contradicts it.