SECTION ON PRAYER · 52 – THE SITUATION OF ONE WHO SETS OUT BUT FAILS TO JOIN THE CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
564 – From Abū Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever performs ablution properly, observing its requirements, then goes to the mosque and finds that the congregation has already performed the prayer, Allah Most High will grant that person a reward equal to that of those who performed the prayer and were present in it. The reward given to him does not diminish anything from the reward of those who performed the prayer in congregation.” [373]
EXPLANATION
Since actions are dependent upon intention, a person who leaves his house with the intention of performing prayer in congregation, even if he does not manage to join the prayer, will be given the same reward as those who performed it in congregation, without any reduction in their reward. The reward given to him does not diminish the reward of those who performed the prayer in congregation. Allah grants each of them their full reward; none receives less than the other.