Is It Obligatory To Pray In The Mosque? (Men and Women)

A controversial topic that has confused a lot of Muslim Ummah “Is it obligatory to pray in the mosque?”.

Everybody knows that Sunnah and Nafl prayers are not mandatory in Islam, so there is no such restriction to offer them in the Mosque or at home for men and women.

But the discussion is about Fard salat, and there are many scholarly debates and hadiths surrounding it. Let’s see what the truth behind it is.

What Islamic Scholars Say about Men’s Prayers?

Let’s look at Islamic scholars’ opinions about whether praying in the Masjid with a congregation is obligatory or not.

Assim al hakeem

A well-known Islamic Saudi scholar, Assim-Al-Hakeem, says in his video sessions that Prayer is obligatory in mosques with the congregation (if you hear the Adhan). He quoted a hadith from a prophet (P.B.U.H.) to prove this.

“Once, a blind person came to the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) and said that he was blind and he faced difficulty going to the Mosque to offer Prayer. The Prophet told him, “You can offer your prayer at home” when that person was leaving. The Prophet called him again and asked, “Can you hear the voice of Adhan from your house?” He said Yes! Then, the Prophet clearly said to him he must answer the call of Allah and go to the Mosque to offer Prayer.” (Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 552)

Dr. Zakir Naik

Another famous scholar, in his video session, emphasizes the benefits of going to Masjid and offering Prayer with the congregation. He makes a reference to the list of 70 major sins that Imam al Dhahabi collects.

According to the Imam, “Not praying in congregation but praying alone without an excuse is the 65th major sin in Islam.”

Men Prayer in Mosques is Obligatory According to Hadiths?

Is It obligatory to pray in the mosque according to hadiths? Let’s look at some words (hadiths) the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) says.

Sahih Bukhari, Book 11, Hadith 618

عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ : صَلاَةُ الْجَمَاعَةِ تَفْضُلُ صَلاَةَ الْفَذِّ بِسَبْعٍ وَعِشْرِينَ دَرَجَةً.

Abdullah ibn Umar narrated that the Prophet says that praying in a congregation is 27 times superior to praying alone.

Note: Some people say that the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) said praying in congregation is 27 times superior in this hadith. They take it as if praying home or alone is not sinful; instead, it is a reward that will be multiplied by 27 if you pray in a Mosque with a congregation. So you can consult your authentic source as per your beliefs.

Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud (ra) listen Prophet (P.B.U.H) saying

“حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ أَبِي عَدِيٍّ، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ حُمَيْدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ لَقَدْ هَمَمْتُ أَنْ آمُرَ بِالصَّلاَةِ فَتُقَامَ ثُمَّ أُخَالِفَ إِلَى مَنَازِلِ قَوْمٍ لاَ يَشْهَدُونَ الصَّلاَةَ فَأُحَرِّقَ عَلَيْهِمْ ‏”‏‏.‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “No doubt, I intended to order somebody to pronounce the Iqama of the (compulsory congregational) prayer and then I would go to the houses of those who do not attend the prayer and burn their houses over them.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari 2420)

Ibn Majah 793, Ad-Daraqutni 1 :420 and Al-Hakim 1 :245
Reference : Mishkat al-Masabih 1077
In-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 495

وَعَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «مَنْ سَمِعَ النِّدَاءَ فَلَمْ يُجِبْهُ فَلَا صَلَاةَ لَهُ إِلَّا مِنْ عُذْرٍ» . رَوَاهُ الدَّارَقُطْنِيّ

Ibn’Abbas reported the Prophet as saying, (If anyone hears the summons and does not respond to it, he is not credited with having prayed unless he has some excuse).

If you have got your answer then it would be great to follow all the mosque etiquettes. However, we have a more authentic guide for you as well in the sections below.

Congregational Prayer for Women

Is it obligatory to pray in the mosque for a woman? Well they can also go to a mosque to offer Prayer in the congregation. However, according to hadiths, Prayer at home is more beneficial for women than Prayer in congregations in mosques.

Ibn ‘Umar reported the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying

Do not prevent your women from visiting the Mosque, but their houses are better for them (for praying). (Sunan Abi Dawud 567)

Note: According to most scholars, women can pray in congregation in mosques, but they have to stand behind the men’s rows or alongside men. If one stands alongside them, there must also be a wall or barrier wide enough to cover one person’s place of prayer.

When Can You Offer to Pray At Home or Alone? Exception Cases

Now we know that mostly the concern is related to men, so this is about them too:

Visiting a new place where you can’t find a mosque to offer Prayer with the congregation.
Having a valid reason (injured, illness, or traveling).
As you live far away from the Mosque, you cannot hear Adhan’s voice (In most cases, when you live in a non-muslim country where you didn’t find a mosque nearby).

Wrapping Up With a Motivation

Besides the controversy about “Is it obligatory to pray in the mosque?” There are a lot of benefits of going to Masjid. Every step you to take to the Masjid is rewardful. Abu Huraira stated that Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) said:

“Whoever cleanses himself with ablution in his house, then he walks to the house of Allah for the sake of performing a Fard (obligatory act) out of the Fara’id (obligatory acts) of Allah, one step of his will erase his sins and another step will grow his status.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 666)

F.A.Q.s

Is praying in the Masjid Obligatory According to the Quran?

There is no such ayat in the Quran that discusses the obligatory Prayer in the Mosque, but hadiths prove it.

Can I Pray on a Chair if Injured?

You may pray in a chair if you are sick or injured enough that standing, sitting on the ground, or prostrating hurts. (proven by Sahih Bukhari Volume 2, Book 20, Hadith Number 216).

What is the Dua for Going to the Mosque?

When going toward the masjid, recite this dua as much as you can:

“Oh God, put light in my heart, light in my tongue, light in my hearing, light in my sight, light behind me, light in front of me, light above me, and light There is light beneath me. Oh God, give me light.”