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Fatwa CenterThe virtue of the mosque for one who does not find a congregation in or outside the mosque
Question
I am studying in Canada and (my neighborhood) has only one mosque that is three kilometers away. The Muslims (here) actually have a lot of good in them and they are not few in number. However, they pray only the Fajr, Maghrib and ‘Ishaa’ prayers in it. I finish my university lectures by about ‘Asr time. I am not sure if there will be any difference if I pray at the mosque or at home because I know that no one will come to the mosque for the ‘Asr prayer and I pray it alone. Will I receive the same reward?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.
If you are sure that you will not find anyone to pray ‘Asr with you in the mosque and you can pray it in congregation outside the mosque then it is better to do pray it in congregation. This is because Ubayy ibn Ka’b 
narrated that the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “For a man to pray with another man is better than praying alone and for him to pray with two other men is better than praying with just one man. The more men there are, the dearer it is to Allaah.” [An-Nisaa’i, Abu Daawood and Ahmad]
However, if you do not find a congregation in or outside the mosque, then it is better to pray it in the mosque because of what is reported regarding encouraging maintaining mosques. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {The mosques of Allaah are only to be maintained by those who believe in Allaah and the Last Day and establish prayer and give Zakah and do not fear except Allaah, for it is expected that those will be of the [rightly] guided.}[Quran 9: 18]
Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Whoever comes and goes to the mosque, Allaah Will Prepare for him a house in Paradise for each time he comes and goes.” [Al-Bukhari, Muslim and Ahmad]
He also narrated that the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Whoever purifies himself in his house then walks to one of the Houses of Allaah to perform one of the duties Enjoined by Allaah, then, for every two steps he takes, one will erase a sin and the other will raise him one degree in status.” [Muslim]
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