The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The prayer in congregation is twenty five times superior to the prayer offered by person alone."
Hadith Text & Reference
"The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'The prayer in congregation is twenty five times superior to the prayer offered by person alone.'"
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 646 | Book: Call to Prayers (Adhaan)
Meaning & Significance
This hadith establishes the immense virtue and superiority of performing obligatory prayers in congregation (jama'ah) over praying individually. The specific mention of "twenty-five times" indicates a quantifiable spiritual reward, demonstrating Allah's immense generosity toward collective worship.
Congregational prayer embodies Islamic principles of unity, brotherhood, and communal submission to Allah. It dissolves social barriers as believers stand shoulder-to-shoulder regardless of worldly status.
Juridical Ruling
According to the majority of scholars, congregational prayer for the five daily prayers is a confirmed Sunnah (Sunnah Mu'akkadah) for resident, able-bodied men. Some scholars of the Hanbali school consider it an individual obligation (fard 'ayn).
The substantial reward mentioned indicates that neglecting congregation without valid excuse constitutes missing out on great blessings, though the prayer itself remains valid when performed individually.
Spiritual Dimensions
The multiplication of reward reflects both the difficulty of gathering and the spiritual power of unified worship. Each participant benefits from the devotion of others, creating a collective spiritual energy that elevates all present.
This hadith encourages Muslims to prioritize mosque attendance, strengthening community bonds while increasing personal spiritual rewards exponentially compared to solitary prayer.