1) Sayeduna Anas (Radi Allahu anhu) narrates that the Beloved Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Whoever reads Salah with Jama’at for forty days with the first takbeer* two salvations will be written for him: one from hell and one from hypocrisy.”
2) Sayyedina Abdullah bin Umar (Radi Allahu anhu) narrates that the Beloved Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Salah with Jama’at is twenty-seven times greater than salah prayed alone.”
3) Imam Muhammad Gazali (Rahmatullahi Alaih) says, “Salah was so important to our salafus saliheen [pious predecessors] that if they missed the first takbeer they would mourn for three days and if anyone missed Jama’at then they would mourn for seven days.” (Mukashifatil Quloob)
4) Sayeduna Maymoon bin Mahraan (Rahmatullahi Alaih) came to the Masjid. He was told that the jam’aat has finished. Upon hearing this, he sadly said, “The fazilat (auspiciousness) of this [Jama’at] is better than ruling over Iraq .” (Mukashifatul Quloob)
5) Sayeduna Abu Hurairah (Radi Allahu anhu) narrates that the Beloved Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “If the people knew what was in the [calling of] Azaan and [being a part of] the first saf [row of Jama’at] then they would not get it without drawing names. So they would draw names [i.e., they would compete for the honor of these two acts]. (Bukhari)
Thoughts and Points
6) Jama’at is compulsory for every sane and mature man who has the ability to pray salah. It is very important for the people living in the vicinity of the Masjid to attend the Jama’at.
7) To move closer to a Masjid or Madrasa with the intention of getting Jama’at is a very commendable action. May Allah give us the taufeeq to keep our Masjids and Madarsas filled. In fact, keep this in mind when moving or buying a house.
8) If you live so far that you can not drive or walk to the Masjid or Madrasa comfortably then make time to come for Jama’at at least once or twice a day or week or more [based on distance and means of travel] to at least earn the reward of coming for and praying with Jama’at.
10) One should not think ‘I can’t make it for Jama’at, I am too busy with school or work and family, this is from Shaitan. If you make the intention and effort, Allah-willing, the hardships will go away.
11) Stand in the saf (rows) shoulder to shoulder so that there is no space left in between.
12) To wait for Salah has been called “Salah,” so be punctual for the Salah.
