As-Salah in Congregation

Salah in congregation (Jamat) is Obligatory (Compulsory) for males:

Allah's Messenger (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said:

“By Him, in Whose Hand my soul is, I intended or planned or was about to order for collecting fire-wood (fuel) and then order someone to pronounce the Adhan for As-Salat (the prayer), then I would go from behind and burn the houses of men who did not present themselves for the (compulsory congregational) Salat. By Him, in Whose Hand my soul is, if anyone of them had known that he would get a bone covered with good meat or two (small) pieces of meat present in between two ribs, he would have turned up for the ‘Isha’ prayer.”[1]

The superiority of congregational Salah

Allah's Messenger (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said:

“The reward of the Salat (prayer) offered by a person in congregation is multiplied twenty-five times as much than that of the Salat offered in one's house or in the market (alone). And this is because if he performs ablution and does it perfectly and then proceeds to the mosque with the sole intention of offering Salat, then, for every step he takes towards the mosque, he is upgraded one degree in reward and his one sin is taken off (erased) from his accounts (of deeds). When he offers his Salat, the angels keep on asking Allah's Blessings and Allah's Forgiveness for him as long as he is (staying) at his Musalla (prayer place). They say, ‘O Allah! Bestow Your Blessings upon him, be Merciful and kind to him.' And one is regarded in Salat as long as one is waiting for the Salat.”[2]

For women - Their houses are better for them

It is proven from various sayings of the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) that the women of his ummah should not be prevented from going to the masjid, even if they seek permission from their guardians/husbands for going to masjid for Isha (night) prayer. However he (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “Their houses are better for them”.

Allah's Messenger (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said:

“Do not prevent your women from (going to) the Masajid – but their houses are better for them”[3]

Another hadith Abdullah Ibn Umar said:

 ‘The Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “Permit the women to go at night to the Masajid.” His (Ibn Umar’s) son said: ‘By Allah! We would not permit them, lest they become insidious (i.e, use this opportunity to ploy to do other things which are discouraged in Islam).’ So, he (Abdullah ibn Umar) replied angrily, ‘May Allah do such and such with you.’ I say: “The Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said,” and you say: “We do not permit them?”.[4]