"Prayer in congregation is twenty-five levels better than a prayer offered on one's own."
Hadith Text & Reference
"Prayer in congregation is twenty-five levels better than a prayer offered on one's own."
Source: Sunan an-Nasa'i 839 | The Book of Leading the Prayer (Al-Imamah)
Lexical Analysis
The term "levels" (darajah) indicates degrees of spiritual elevation and reward in the sight of Allah. "Congregation" (jama'ah) refers to praying together with at least one other Muslim behind an imam.
Juridical Ruling
The majority of scholars consider congregational prayer for obligatory prayers to be a confirmed Sunnah (Sunnah mu'akkadah) for men, while some hold it to be a collective obligation (fard kifayah).
Spiritual Significance
The multiplication of reward demonstrates Allah's immense mercy. Congregational prayer fosters unity, humility, and mutual recognition among Muslims, fulfilling the communal aspect of worship.
Scholarly Commentary
Imam Nawawi explains that the twenty-five-fold reward applies to the five daily prayers, with each congregational prayer being worth five times its individual counterpart. This multiplication reflects both quantitative reward and qualitative spiritual elevation.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani notes that the congregation's merit lies in the collective submission to Allah, the synchronization of movements, and the manifestation of Islamic brotherhood.