Congregation and rows

Praying together in the masjid, the first row, straight rows and following the imam. 17 hadith.

1. Twenty-seven times betterPrayer in congregation is twenty-seven degrees better than praying alone.Abdullah ibn UmarSahih al-Bukhari 645, Sahih Muslim 650
2. A severe warning about missing the congregationThe Prophet ﷺ was close to burning the houses of men who stayed away from the prayer.Abu HurairahSahih al-Bukhari 644, Sahih Muslim 651
3. The wolf eats the stray sheepStay with the congregation; Shaytan takes those who pray alone.Abu ad-DardaSunan Abi Dawud 547, Sunan an-Nasa'i 847
4. More people, more rewardPraying with one person is better than alone, and with two better still.Ubayy ibn Ka'bSunan Abi Dawud 554, Sunan an-Nasa'i 843
5. Forty days with the first takbirForty days of congregational prayer from the first takbir: freedom from the Fire and hypocrisy.Anas ibn MalikJami' at-Tirmidhi 241
6. Straighten your rowsStraight rows are part of the perfection of the prayer.Anas ibn MalikSahih Muslim 433
7. Straight rows or divided heartsCrooked rows lead to Allah putting differences between the hearts.an-Nu'man ibn BashirSahih al-Bukhari 717, Sahih Muslim 436
8. Close the gapsStand shoulder to shoulder and leave no gaps for Shaytan.Abdullah ibn UmarSunan Abi Dawud 666
9. Complete the front row firstFill the first row, then the next; any gap should be in the last row.Anas ibn MalikSunan Abi Dawud 671
10. Allah and His angels bless the first rowsAllah and His angels send blessings on those in the first rows.al-Bara ibn AzibSunan Abi Dawud 664, Sunan an-Nasa'i 811
11. The imam is to be followedFollow the imam; do not go ahead of him or differ from him.Abu HurairahSahih al-Bukhari 722, Sahih Muslim 414
12. Racing ahead of the imamA strong warning for whoever raises his head before the imam.Abu HurairahSahih al-Bukhari 691, Sahih Muslim 427
13. Say Amin with the angelsWhoever's Amin matches the angels' Amin is forgiven his past sins.Abu HurairahSahih al-Bukhari 780, Sahih Muslim 410
14. Rabbana wa lakal-hamdSaying "Our Lord, to You is praise" with the angels brings forgiveness.Abu HurairahSahih al-Bukhari 796, Sahih Muslim 409
15. Imams, keep the prayer lightThe imam should shorten the prayer because the weak, sick and old pray behind him.Abu HurairahSahih al-Bukhari 703, Sahih Muslim 467
16. Who should lead the prayerThe one who knows the Qur'an best should lead the people.Abu Mas'ud al-AnsariSahih Muslim 673
17. Do not prevent women from the masjidsWomen must not be stopped from going to the masjids of Allah.Abdullah ibn UmarSahih al-Bukhari 900, Sahih Muslim 442