Hadith Text & Context

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "By Him in Whose Hand my soul is I was about to order for collecting firewood (fuel) and then order Someone to pronounce the Adhan for the prayer and then order someone to lead the prayer then I would go from behind and burn the houses of men who did not present themselves for the (compulsory congregational) prayer. By Him, in Whose Hands 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." (Sahih al-Bukhari 644)

Severity of Abandoning Congregational Prayer

This hadith demonstrates the extreme gravity of willfully neglecting the obligatory congregational prayers. The Prophet's (ﷺ) intention to burn the houses of those who abstained, despite it not being implemented as divine legislation, serves as a powerful rhetorical device to emphasize the severity of this neglect in Allah's sight.

Scholars explain that the Prophet's (ﷺ) swearing twice by "Him in Whose Hand my soul is" underscores the absolute truth and critical importance of this matter, indicating that abandoning congregational prayer without valid excuse is among the major sins.

Spiritual vs. Worldly Motivation

The latter portion of the hadith contrasts the believers' lack of motivation for spiritual rewards with what would motivate them for worldly gains. The "bone covered with good meat" represents a minimal worldly benefit that would nevertheless prompt immediate action.

This serves as a severe reproach to those who prioritize trivial worldly matters over the immense spiritual rewards of congregational prayer, which in reality far surpass any worldly gain. It highlights the deficiency in faith of those who understand worldly value but fail to comprehend spiritual value.

Legal Ruling & Contemporary Application

Classical scholars from various madhahib have derived from this hadith that attending congregational prayer for adult males is wajib (obligatory) or fard al-kifayah (collective obligation) when hearing the adhan without valid excuse.

Valid excuses include illness, fear, extreme weather, or being occupied with essential needs. The hadith serves as a timeless reminder for Muslims to reevaluate their priorities and not let worldly distractions prevent them from fulfilling this fundamental religious obligation that strengthens community bonds and individual faith.