Significance of Saying Prayer in Congregation

TEHRAN (IQNA) – There has been a lot of emphasis in religious texts on attending congregational prayer in large numbers, which is an indication of the social aspects of the act of worship, and how important it is for the faithful to gather together.

The Quran highlights the significance of saying prayers together: “Be steadfast in prayer, pay the religious tax (zakat) and bow down in worship with those who do the same.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 43)

There have been many recommendations about saying prayer, one of the most important of which is saying prayer congregationally. Some of the points that make this so important are as follows:

Attending congregational prayer helps worshipers learn about one another’s problems and difficulties. On the sidelines of the prayer, Muslims speak together and if there are any problems facing any of the worshipers, they try to help resolve them.

Another thing about congregational prayer is reciting supplications together. Sometimes one of the worshipers recites the supplication but those who say Amen are many. According to Hadiths, prayers and supplications reciting jointly are much more likely to be accepted by God. Moreover, it beings a lot of Sawab (reward) and blessings when a faithful person prays for another faithful people.

Also, in congregational prayer, all worshipers stand together in lines and no one has any priority over others. All are attending the prayer as Muslims and have no other objective than worshiping God. They are all standing together as servants of God. This show of equality enhances friendship, amity and altruism among the faithful and prevents conceit and selfishness.

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) has described attending congregational prayer as a way for staying away from hell and from hypocrisy, saying: “Whoever offers prayers in congregation for forty days therein Allah will decree that he is safe from the Fire (of hell) and free from hypocrisy.”