Do I Receive the Same Reward for Praying in a Musalla as I Do in a Mosque?

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick

Question

Do I attain the same reward when praying in a musalla (small prayer space) as I would when praying in a mosque?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

It is important to distinguish between the different aspects of reward in salah (prayer). There are multiple levels and ways in which Allah multiplies the reward for our prayers.

The Virtue of Praying in Congregation (Jama‘a)

Firstly, praying in jama’a (congregation) increases the reward of the prayer. While the obligation of prayer can be fulfilled individually, praying in jama’a elevates the reward. The Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

“The prayer performed in congregation is 25 times more rewarded than one prayed alone” [Bukhari]

In another narration, he mentioned 27 times. [Ibid.]

The hadith, however, does not specify that this jama’a must take place in a mosque. The primary requirement is the congregation itself; any group of more than one person fulfills this condition.

The Additional Virtue of the Mosque

The additional virtue of praying in a mosque is observed from the practice of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). While residing in Madina, he prayed his fardh (obligatory) prayers in the mosque, but he prayed his sunnah (supererogatory) prayers at home. This demonstrates that the mosque offers an additional reward, beyond the congregation, particularly when praying in the front row or behind the imam.

Praying in a Musalla

A musalla will also earn a reward, including the reward of praying in jama’a. However, it may not attain the same reward as a mosque, primarily because the congregation in a mosque is often larger. The size of the jama’a contributes to the multiplied reward, so a small group in a musalla would generally earn less reward than a large congregation in a mosque.

That said, the musalla itself is not deficient; it is simply the congregation size that typically differs.

Priorities in Prayer

The most important aspects of prayer are:

1. Praying on time, at the beginning of its prescribed time (waqt).
2. Praying in jama’a, when possible.
3. Seeking the additional virtues of praying in a mosque, particularly in the front rows and behind the imam.

By following these principles, one maximizes the reward of salah, whether in a mosque or a musalla.

And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town. He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.