Kindly explain to me the advantages obtained and reward earned, giving both worldly and spiritual benefits one derives, when he participates in Congregational Prayers?

A] Marhum Allama Sayyid Saeed Akhtar Rizvi had listed 6 benefits, details as under:

[please, let us recite Sura Fateha for the benefit of his departed soul]

(a) ISLAMIC EQUALITY.

In the congregation, rich and poor, high and low, all stand shoulder to shoulder. This destroys the haughtiness of the rich and creates self-respect in the poor. The best scene of mankind’s equality comes before us in congregational prayer.

(b) UNITY.

In the congregational prayer, all have one intention, one language and identical actions. All kneel together. All prostrate together. This teaches as the lesson of the unity of the Muslims.

(c) LOVE AND COOPERATION.

People meet with one another in the congregation. They know the problems and worries of each other and try to help each other. New things are known. Mutual love develops. Circle of friendship; is widened. We get an opportunity to perfect our live in the light of others’ experiences.

(d) DISCIPLINE.

While offering prayer in congregation we stand in rows, follow the Imam of Congregation and practice obedience to Command. This instills in us the discipline which is the essential feature of a community’s life.

Our Mosques remain thriving – due to prayer in congregation. It enhances the prestige of the Muslims, and the unity of the Muslims overawes the enemies of Islam.

(e) LIMITLESS REWARD 

Allah has put a big reward for congregational prayers: 

Our Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w.) and the Imams of Ahlul-Bayt (a.s.) have laid great stress on Congregational Prayer. 

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) said that if there are only 2 persons (Imam and only one Mamum) in Congregational Prayer, every Rak’at gets the reward of 150 prayers.  The reward is increased by the increase in the number of persons.  Thus, in a Congregational Prayer of 3 persons, every Rak’at gets reward of 600 persons.

If there are  4, every Rak’at gets reward of  1,200 prayers.

If there are  5, every Rak’at gets reward of  2,400 prayers.

If there are  6, every Rak’at gets reward of  4,800 prayers.

If there are  7, every Rak’at gets reward of  9,600 prayers.

If there are  8, every Rak’at gets reward of 19,200 prayers.

If there are  9, every Rak’at gets reward of 38,400 prayers.

If there are 10, every Rak’at gets reward of 76, 800 prayers.

If there are more than 10, then nobody can estimate its reward except Allah.

(Marhum Allama Sayyid Saeed Akhtar Rizvi – Elements of Islamic Studies)

It is Mustahab that obligatory prayers, especially the daily prayers, are performed in congregation, and more emphasis has been laid on congregational prayers for Fajr, Maghrib and Isha, and also for those who live in the neighborhood of a Mosque, and are able to hears its Adhan. 

It is not permissible to absent oneself from the Congregational Prayers unduly, and it is not proper to abandon Congregational Prayers without a justifiable excuse.