saffanah
speak good or silent
27 reasons why its better to pray in congregation (Jama’ah)
Imâm ibn Hajr (rh) has mentioned in his work Fath al-Bârî, one can enumerate 27, if not more, excellent reasons to pray in Jamâ‛ah due to all the following hasanaat (actions that are rewarded) that can be achieved. What is truly amazing is that each of the following points is to be found in specific narrations of the Prophet (SAW) encouraging us to that particular action:
1. Responding to the Mu'adhdhin (the caller to prayer) with the intention to pray in Jamâ‛ah
2. Arriving early to pray in its beginning time
3. Going to the Mosque with sakînah (with calmness and humility).
4. Entering the Mosque in supplication
5. Greeting the Mosque with two raka‛ât of Tahiyyatul Masjid (the prayer for the Mosque)
6. Waiting in the Mosque for the Jamâ‛ah to start
7. The Angels praying for you and seeking forgiveness for you
8. The Angels will bear witness for you
9. Safety from the Devil as he flees at hearing the Iqâmah (the second call that establishes the prayer)
10. Responding to the call of the Iqâmah
11. Standing and waiting with the Imâm in readiness to enter a state where everything else other than the prayer will become harâm
12. Being present for the Takbîratul Ihrâm (the start of the prayer)
13. Straightening the rows and closing the gaps
14. Responding to the Imâm when he says, "Sami-Allâhu liman hamidah" (Allâh Hears the one who praises Him)
15. A greater chance of not forgetting in the prayer, or being able to remind the Imâm if he forgets
16. A greater chance of perfecting the external aspects of the prayer
17. A greater chance to achieve peace and humility in the prayer from what normally distracts oneself whilst praying alone
18. Being surrounded by the Angels throughout the prayer
19. Familiarising oneself with the recitation of the Qur‛ân and the pillars of the prayer
20. Promoting the signs and rituals of Islâm
21. Defeating the attempts of Satan by the combined worship of those in the congregation, and the encouragement of one another in the obedience of Allâh whilst helping the lazy to become stronger
22. Safety from showing the sign of the hyprocrites (not attending the Mosque) and the bad opinions of others who may think that you do not pray
23. The returning of the Salâm upon the Imâm (at the end of the prayer)
24. Benefiting from the congregation in supplications and dhikr, whilst at the same time enjoying the combined blessings of others when one is deficient (in blessing) by himself
25. Establishing good relations with your neighbours, looking out for them especially at the prayer times
26. Listening and deeply reflecting upon the recitation of the Imâm
27. Joining in with the Imâm and the Angels in saying Ameen after Sûrah al-Fâtihah.
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