the farther one or the closer one? There are two accounts regarding this: one of them is heading to the farther one, so that his footsteps in seeking the reward may increase [and his good deeds become more] (26). The second is the closer one, because it is in his neighborhood, so it has more right to his prayer, just as the neighbor has more right to the gift of his neighbor and his kindness than the distant one. If the city is a frontier outpost (thaghr), the more virtuous path is for the people to assemble in one mosque so that it may be more uplifting for the word, and more impactful for dignity. If news comes to them about their enemy, they all hear it, and if they wish to consult on a matter, all of them attend (27) it. And if a spy for the disbelievers (28) comes, he sees them and reports their large numbers. Al-Awza'i said: "If the matter were up to me, I would bar the doors of the mosques that are in the frontier outposts (29)," or something similar, so that the people would gather in one mosque.

Section: Repeating the congregation in the mosque is not disliked. Its meaning is that if the imam of the neighborhood has prayed, and another congregation arrives, it is recommended for them to pray in a congregation. This (30) is the statement of Ibn Mas'ud, 'Ata', Al-Hasan, Al-Nakha'i, Qatada, and Ishaq. Salim, Abu Qilabah, Ayyub, Ibn 'Awn, Al-Layth, Al-Batti (31), Al-Thawri, Malik, Abu Hanifah, Al-Awza'i, and Al-Shafi'i said: The congregation is not to be repeated in a mosque that has a permanent imam (ratib), unless it is in the path of the people. So, whoever misses the congregation prays alone, so as not to lead to discord of hearts, enmity, and negligence in prayer with the imam. Also, because it is a mosque with a permanent imam, repeating the congregation in it is disliked, like the Mosque of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Our position is the generality of his (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) statement: "The prayer of...