the congregation is superior to the prayer of the individual by twenty-five degrees (32)." In another narration: "by twenty-seven degrees." Abu Sa'id reported that a man came when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) had already prayed, so he said, "Which of you will trade with this?" A man stood up and prayed with him (33). Al-Tirmidhi said: "This is a hasan (good) hadith." It was narrated by Al-Athram and Abu Dawud, who said: "Is there no man who will give charity to this person and pray with him?" Al-Athram (34) narrated with his chain of transmission from Abu Umamah, from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) a similar report, and added: He said, "And these two are a congregation." This is because he is capable of performing the congregation, so it is recommended for him, just as if the mosque were in the path of the people.

Section: As for repeating the congregation in the Sacred Mosque (Al-Masjid al-Haram), the Mosque of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, it has been narrated from Ahmad that repeating the congregation in them is disliked. Our companions mentioned this so that people would not become negligent in attending the congregation with the permanent imam in these places when they are able to pray in the congregation with others. The apparent meaning of the report of Abu Sa'id and Abu Umamah is that this is not disliked, because the apparent implication is that this occurred in the Mosque of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and the meaning dictates it as well, for the virtue of the congregation is attained therein, just as it is attained elsewhere.

248 - Issue; he said: (And the one who should lead the people in prayer is the one who is most well-versed in the Book of Allah the Almighty)

There is no disagreement regarding prioritizing the one who is more well-versed in recitation and jurisprudence over others. However, there is a difference of opinion as to which of them is to be given precedence over the other. The school of Ahmad, may Allah have mercy on him, is the priority of the reciter (qari'). This is also the opinion of Ibn Sirin, Al-Thawri, Ishaq (1), and the People of Opinion (Ashab al-Ra'y). 'Ata', Malik, Al-Awza'i, Al-Shafi'i, and Abu Thawr said: The one who is most learned in jurisprudence (faqih) among them should lead them if he recites what is sufficient for prayer; because he may