Is there any reward mentioned in the Hadith for Fajr in congregation? Is there any warnings in the Hadith for not reading Fajr in congregation. I heard that in the Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam)’s time that even the hypocrites used to come to the masjid for Fajr. So will we be worse than the hypocrites if we do not go to masjid for Fajr?
Answer
Sayyiduna ‘Uthman (radiyallahu’anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu’alaihi wasallam) said:
“Whoever performs his ‘Isha Salah in congregation receives the reward of spending half the night in (nafl) Salah, and he who offers his ‘Isha and Fajr Salah with the congregation receives the reward of spending the entire night in Salah”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 1489 and Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 556)
- Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (radiyallahu’anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:
“Indeed the most difficult Salah for the hypocrites is the ‘Isha and Fajr Salah. If they know the reward for these Salah, they would attend even if they had to drag themselves…”
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 615 and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 1480)
When the Hadith refers to certain deeds as those of hypocrites, or signs of hypocrisy, it doesn’t mean every such person is deemed a genuine hypocrite [Non-believer who merely exposes Islam]. Instead these are understood to be warnings for Muslims, so they may stay clear of the signs of hypocrisy as these are definite sins.
(see Fathul Bari, Hadith: 17 and Hadith: 33)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.