A man's prayer in congregation is more valuable than twenty degrees and some above them as compared with his prayer in his house and his market, for when he performs ablution doing it well, then goes out to the mosque, and he is impelled (to do so) only by (the love of congregational) prayer, he has no other objective before him but prayer. He does not take a step without being raised a degree for it and having a sin remitted for it, till he enters the mosque, and when he is busy in prayer after having entered the mosque. the angels continue to invoke blessing on him as long as he is in his place of worship. saying: O Allah, show him mercy, and pardon him! Accept his repentance (and the angels continue this supplication for him) so long as he does not do any harm in it, or as long as his ablution is not broken.
The Excellence of Congregational Prayer
This narration from Sahih Muslim 649f establishes the immense spiritual merit of performing prayers in congregation. The Prophet (peace be upon him) explicitly states that a man's prayer in congregation surpasses his individual prayer by more than twenty degrees in reward.
The Journey to the Mosque
The hadith beautifully describes the spiritual journey from one's home to the mosque. Each step taken toward the mosque with pure intention elevates the worshipper's spiritual rank and serves as expiation for sins.
The classical scholars emphasize that this reward applies when the intention is solely for prayer, without any worldly motives. The purity of intention transforms the physical journey into a spiritual ascent.
Angelic Invocations
A remarkable aspect of this tradition is the continuous supplication of angels for the worshipper. As long as one remains in the mosque awaiting prayer, the angels seek Allah's mercy, forgiveness, and acceptance of repentance for them.
This divine attention continues provided the worshipper maintains their ablution and avoids causing any disturbance or harm within the mosque's sacred precincts.
Scholarly Commentary
Imam An-Nawawi, in his commentary on Sahih Muslim, explains that the "twenty degrees and more" indicates that the exact multiplication of reward is known only to Allah, emphasizing the boundless grace bestowed upon congregational prayer.
The condition of proper ablution highlights the importance of physical and spiritual purification before approaching the Divine Presence in collective worship.