from the Prophet (ﷺ) - that he said: `Whoever prays `Isha` and Fajr prayer in congregation, it is as if he spent the night in prayer (qiyamul-lail).” ‘Abdur-Rahman said: Whoever prays `Isha` in congregation, it is as if he spent half the night in prayer, and whoever prays Fajr in congregation, it is as if he spent the entire night in prayer,
Exposition of the Hadith
This noble tradition from the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) illuminates the immense spiritual reward for performing these two prayers in congregation. The statement "it is as if he spent the night in prayer" signifies that Allah, in His infinite mercy, grants the worshipper the full reward of voluntary night prayer (Tahajjud) despite not having physically performed it.
Scholarly Commentary
The great companion 'Abdur-Rahman ibn Abi 'Amrah's explanation provides deeper insight: The 'Isha prayer in congregation earns reward equivalent to half the night in worship, while Fajr in congregation earns reward for the entire night. This demonstrates the particular excellence of the Fajr prayer.
Scholars note that this hadith emphasizes the importance of congregational prayer, especially for these two prayers which occur at times when people are naturally inclined to rest. Overcoming this inclination brings greater reward.
Practical Implications
This teaching encourages Muslims to prioritize mosque attendance for these prayers. The spiritual benefits extend beyond the prescribed rewards to include community bonding, discipline in worship schedule, and protection from hypocrisy.
The hadith serves as a mercy from Allah, making the path to great reward accessible to those who may find voluntary night prayer difficult, while still encouraging the highest levels of devotion.