Hadith
Abu ad-Darda narrated: I heard the Messenger of Allah alayhi as-salatu was-salam say: \”Whenever people in a village or wilderness gather without performing prayers in congregation, Satan overcomes them. So persevere in congregational prayer. Indeed, the sheep separated from the flock is eaten by a wolf.\”
Abu Dawud, Salat 46. See also Nasa’i, Imamah 48.
What We Learn
- 1Those who fall away from the congregation are afflicted by Satan, and he gains superiority over them.
- 2If three men are present in a village, in the countryside, or in the desert, they must form a congregation.
- 3According to the Hanafi school, even travelers should congregate. According to the Shafi’is, it is not necessary for travelers to congregate.
- 4Abandoning the congregation leads to the weakness and disarray of Muslims. Therefore, Muslims who come together should not neglect forming a congregation.