whereas in my home I can pray as I wish. Should we say: You must go to the mosque and then pray in whatever manner you are able? Or should we say: You must pray in your home, because standing is a pillar of the prayer whereas congregational prayer is obligatory? Or should we say: You may choose, because two obligations are in conflict?

The scholars have three views on this matter.

Some scholars say that he may choose, because the two obligations conflict: the obligation of praying in congregation and the obligation of standing; neither has greater claim to preference than the other.

Others say that standing takes precedence, so he should pray standing in his home, because standing is unanimously agreed to be a pillar, due to the Prophet’s saying: “Pray standing” (1). Congregational prayer carries a lesser degree of obligation for the following reasons:

First: there is disagreement over whether it is obligatory.

Second: even if it is obligatory, is it a collective obligation or an individual obligation?

Third: if it is an individual obligation, is it an obligation within the prayer itself, such that the prayer is invalidated by omitting it without an excuse, or is it an obligation connected to the prayer, such that the prayer remains valid without it, though one incurs sin?

Others say that he must attend the mosque, then pray standing if he is able; otherwise, he should pray seated. This is because he has been commanded to respond to the call, and the call precedes the prayer; so he fulfills what comes first. Then, once he reaches the mosque, if he is able, he prays standing; otherwise, he does not. Moreover, he may think that if he goes to