Salafi Research Institute SRI
Itihaf ul-Basim Fi Tahqiq Muwatta al-Imam Malik [Talkhis al-Qabisi] Riwayah Abdur Rahman ibn al-Qasim
Tahqiq, Takhrij, Sharh
Muhadith Zubair Ali Zai
Translated Abu Ubaydah
Translated, Checked & Additional Notes
Abu Hibban & Abu Khuzaimah Ansaari
The Virtue of Praying in Congregation
Sa’id Ibn Musayab: Seven Ahadith
[11] From Malik from Ibn Shihab from Sa’id Ibn al-Musayyab from Abu Hurayrah (RadhiAllaahu Anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (Sallalahu Alayhi Was-Sallam) said, “Prayer in congregation is better than the prayer of one of you on his own by twenty-five parts.”
[GRADING] – [SAHIH]
Ibn Shihab az-Zuhri said, “Sa’id Ibn Musayab and Abu Salamah Ibn Abdurahman reported to me that Abu Hurayrah (RadhiAllaahu Anhu) said: “etc Transmitted by Bukhari (no.648)
[REFERENCES] – [MUSLIM]
Al-Muwatta (Yahya’s narration (1/129 hadith no.287, book 8, chapter 1, hadith no.2) at-Tamhid (6/316) and al-Istidhkar (no.256)
Transmitted by Muslim (no.649) from the hadith of Malik. And narrated in Bukhari (no.648) hadith of az-Zuhri from Sa’id Ibn Musayab and Abu Salamah from Abu Hurayrah (RadhiAllaahu Anhu) with the same lengthy meaning.
[UNDERSTANDING FROM THE HADITH]
1) The larger the amount of people in the congregational prayer of the Muslims, with the correct beliefs, the more virtuous it is. The Messenger (Sallalahu Alayhi Was-Sallam) said, “And his prayer with two men is better than his prayer with one, but if there are more it is more pleasing to Allah, the Almighty, the Majestic.” (Musnad Ahmad (5/140), and its chain is [Hasan] good, Sunan Abu Dawood: (no.554) and Ibn Khuzaimah authenticated it: (no.1477), and Ibn Hibban, al-Mawarid: (no.429) and there is another hadith from Ibn Majah: (no.790) and others and its chain is [Hasan] good)
Note: the jarh i.e. criticism of Hafidh Ibn Abdul Barr on this hadeeth is rejected
2) A person’s prayer on his own and not in congregation is accepted, however praying in congregation is more virtuous.
3) In some narrations the reward (for praying in congregation is) 27 times greater. There is no contradiction, rather every person will be rewarded in accordance to their intention, sincerity, following the Sunnah and best actions – if Allah wills
