Congregational prayer (Islam)

When praying in congregation, the people stand in straight parallel rows behind the chosen imam, facing qibla.

The imam, who leads the congregation in salat, is usually chosen to be a scholar or the one who has the best knowledge of the Qur'an, preferably someone who has memorised it in its entirety (a hafiz) .

Even in his sickness, it was strenuous for him to walk; nonetheless, with the aid of two of his companions he came (while his auspicious feet were dragging on the ground) to the mosque and prayed with the congregation.

[11] Congregation prayer in a mosque, or masjid, is particularly encouraged for men and is optional for women.

[2] According to Sa'id Akhtar Rizvi, a Twelver Shiite scholar, congregational prayer has worldly and otherworldly benefits:[12]