The Book On The Mosques And The Congregations
كتاب المساجد والجماعات
Chapter 17: Severe warning Against Missing Prayer In Congregation
They heard the Prophet say on his pulpit: "People should desist from failing to attend the congregations, otherwise Allah will seal their hearts, and they will be among the negligent."
"The Messenger of Allah said: 'Let men desist from failing to attend the congregation, otherwise I will burn their houses down.'"
Chapter 18: Performing The 'Isha' And Fajr Prayers In Congregation
"The Messenger of Allah said: 'If the people knew what (reward) there is in the 'Isha' prayer and fajr prayer, they would come even if they had to crawl.'"
"The Messenger of Allah said: 'The most burdensome prayers for the hypocrites are the 'Isha' prayer and the Fajr prayer. If only they knew what (reward) there is in them, they would come to them even if they had to crawl.'"
The Prophet used to say: "Whoever performs prayer in congregation at the mosque for forty nights, never missing the first Rak'ah of the 'Isha' prayer, Allah will thereby decree for him salvation from the Fire."
Chapter 19: Staying In The Mosques And Awaiting The Prayer
"The Messenger of Allah said: 'When one of you enters the mosque, he is in a state of prayer, so long as the prayer keeps him there, and the angels will send prayer upon anyone of you so long as he remains in the place where he prayed, saying: "O Allah, forgive him; O Allah, have mercy on him; O Allah, accept his repentance," so long as he does not commit Hadath nor disturb anyone.'"
The Prophet said: "A muslim does not regularly attend the mosques to perform prayer and remember Allah, but Allah feels happy with him just as the family of one who is absent feels happy when he comes back to them."
"We performed the Maghrib (prayer) with the Messenger of Allah, then those who went back went back, and those who stayed, stayed. Then the Messenger of Allah came back in a hurry, out of breath, with his garment pulled up to his knees, and said: 'Be of good cheer, for your Lord has opened one of the gates of heaven and is boasting of you before the angels, saying: "Look at My slaves; they have fulfilled one obligatory duty and are awaiting another."
The Messenger of Allah said: "If you see a man frequenting the mosques, then bear witness to his faith. Allah says: 'The mosques of Allah shall be maintained only by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day. [At-Taubah: 18]'"