performs ablution thoroughly and then comes to the mosque desiring nothing but the prayer, he does not take a single step without a degree being raised for him thereby and a sin being erased, until he enters the mosque.” He also said, “O sons of Salamah, stay in your homes; your footprints are being recorded.”

Some scholars, however, consider the nearer of two mosques to be preferable, for the worshipper is its neighbor and therefore more entitled to pray there. They cite the report, “The neighbor of the mosque has no prayer except in the mosque,” and argue that passing by the close mosque to a farther one may puzzle its neighbors. This view is likely stronger, because overlooking the adjacent mosque can lead to its abandonment and place its imam in an awkward position, causing people to think ill of him.

Another ruling concerning congregational prayer is that no one may lead the congregation in a mosque other than its appointed imam unless he grants permission or has a legitimate excuse. In Sahih Muslim and elsewhere it is narrated: “No man should lead another in his domain except with his permission.” Al-Nawawi said, “The meaning is that the owner of the house or gathering place, as well as the mosque’s regular imam, have a greater right than others, for allowing someone else to lead offends the resident imam, drives people away from him, and creates division among the Muslims.”