Q. The opinion of Ibn Taymiyyah regarding congregational prayer?

Q. What is the opinion of Sheikh ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah regarding congregational prayer?

A. Ibn Taymiyyah’s opinion regarding congregational prayer is that prayer in congregation is a condition for the validity of the prayer. According to the Sheikh, if a man deliberately avoids the congregation and prays alone without an excuse, his prayer is invalid.

However, Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen does not support this opinion as he explained that in his Explanation of Zad al-Mustaqni’.

~ Sheikh Prof. Muḥammed bin Gamal al-Suyūti al-Hanbalī