The Etiquette of Congregational Prayer

Sunnah center: When an affair troubled the Prophet, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, he would seek protection by praying. The prayer is the comfort of the heart and the coolness of the eyes because it is a connection between the servant and his Lord the Most High. When the servant enters into the prayer, then he stands before his Lord directing his speech towards Him, exalting Him with praise, and mentioning His Greatness and Magnificence. He glorifies and praises his Lord with speech and actions of the prayer. He asks Allah, the Most High, for the best of this world and the Hereafter. The closest a servant can be to his Lord is when he is in prostration.

So guard and preserve this mighty act of worship which is the support of the Religion and the coolness of the eyes of the leader of all the Messengers, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Fulfill it with tranquility, serenity and complete submissiveness, for there is no prayer for the one who is not tranquil and at ease in the prayer. How can it befit a believer that he pecks the ground like the pecking of a crow whilst he knows that he is standing before his Lord? How can it befit a believer that he pecks the ground in his prayer whilst he knows that he will not be rewarded for it? He has not discharged his obligation with this kind of prayer. This type of prayer is the same as if he had not prayed at all.

This short treatise explains some of the important aspects of prayer and the etiquette of praying in congregation as well as the role of the Imaam in leading and making sure the congregation behind him is lined up correctly, and the duties of the worshipers to follow him in in accordance with the Prophetic Sunnah.