The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) found some people absenting from certain prayers and he said: I intend that I order (a) person to lead people in prayer, and then go to the persons who do not join the (congregational prayer) and then order their houses to be burnt by the bundles of fuel. If one amongst them were to know that he would find a fat fleshy bone he would attend the night prayer.
The Book of Mosques and Places of Prayer - Sahih Muslim 651 a
This narration from the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) demonstrates the immense importance Islam places upon performing the five daily prayers in congregation at the mosque. The severe warning and metaphorical language of burning houses signifies the gravity of abandoning this fundamental pillar of faith without a valid, Islamically acceptable excuse.
Scholarly Commentary on the Severity of the Warning
The scholars explain that the statement about burning houses is not a legal prescription to be enacted by rulers, but rather a powerful rhetorical device (kināyah) used by the Prophet (ﷺ) to emphasize the extreme sinfulness of neglecting congregational prayer out of laziness or worldly preoccupation. It illustrates that such neglect is akin to one's home being destroyed, as it leads to spiritual ruin.
The Mention of the "Fat Fleshy Bone"
The final part of the hadith, mentioning that a person would attend if they knew they would find a "fat fleshy bone," serves as a profound criticism. It highlights the spiritual imbalance of those who would readily exert themselves for a trivial worldly gain but fail to do so for the immense spiritual reward of praying in congregation, which is far greater and more lasting.
Legal Ruling and Spiritual Lesson
Classical scholars, based on this and other evidences, have differed on whether congregational prayer (Salat al-Jama'ah) in the mosque is obligatory (wājib) or a highly emphasized Sunnah (mu'akkadah). However, all agree it is of the highest importance. The core lesson is to prioritize one's connection with Allah over fleeting worldly pursuits and to understand that consistent prayer in congregation is a defining characteristic of a believer's life.