The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The people who get tremendous reward for the prayer are those who are farthest away (from the mosque) and then those who are next farthest and so on. Similarly one who waits to pray with the Imam has greater reward than one who prays and goes to bed. "
The Excellence of Walking to the Mosque
This hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari 651 establishes the immense spiritual merit of walking to congregational prayers. The distance one travels directly correlates with the reward, as each step expiates sins and elevates one's spiritual rank. This divine wisdom encourages Muslims to attend mosques regularly despite geographical challenges.
Scholarly Commentary on Distance and Reward
Classical scholars like Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explain that the increased reward for greater distance serves multiple purposes: it tests the sincerity of one's intention, increases the good deeds recorded for each step, and demonstrates true commitment to congregational prayer despite hardship.
The wisdom behind this gradation of reward lies in the principle that divine recompense corresponds to the level of effort exerted in obedience to Allah. Those who overcome greater obstacles receive greater spiritual compensation.
The Virtue of Waiting for Prayer
The second part of the hadith highlights the excellence of remaining in the mosque awaiting the congregational prayer. Scholars note that this waiting period is itself considered an act of worship, with the believer remaining in a state of spiritual anticipation and connection with Allah.
Imam al-Nawawi comments that this teaching encourages stability in mosques and fosters communal bonds among worshippers. The one who waits receives continuous reward, unlike one who prays individually and departs immediately.
Practical Implications for the Ummah
This prophetic guidance establishes the superiority of congregational prayer over individual prayer and emphasizes the community aspect of Islamic worship. It motivates Muslims to prioritize mosque attendance and participate in collective worship.
The hadith also teaches patience and perseverance in religious observance, reminding believers that spiritual rewards are often proportional to the difficulties overcome in fulfilling religious obligations.