The obligation for men to perform the Salaah in Jamaa`ah:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Shaikh Ibn Baaz رحمه الله said:

Allaah تعالى says:

﴿وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَارْكَعُوا مَعَ الرَّاكِعِينَ﴾

{And perform al-Salaah, and give Zakaah, and bow down along with those who bow down (in prayer).} [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 43]

This verse is prove that it is obligatory (upon individuals) to gather together to observe the Salaah in congregation. If the purpose was just to observe it, then the following command would not have been stated clearly in the last part of this verse: {and bow down along with those who bow down (in prayer).}

﴿وَإِذَا كُنتَ فِيهِمْ فَأَقَمْتَ لَهُمُ الصَّلَاةَ فَلْتَقُمْ طَائِفَةٌ مِّنْهُم مَّعَكَ وَلْيَأْخُذُوا أَسْلِحَتَهُمْ فَإِذَا سَجَدُوا فَلْيَكُونُوا مِن وَرَائِكُمْ وَلْتَأْتِ طَائِفَةٌ أُخْرَىٰ لَمْ يُصَلُّوا فَلْيُصَلُّوا مَعَكَ وَلْيَأْخُذُوا حِذْرَهُمْ وَأَسْلِحَتَهُمْ﴾

{When you (O Messenger) are among them, and lead them in al-Salaah, let one party of them stand up [in Salaah] with you taking their arms with them; when they finish their prostrations, let them take their positions in the rear and let the other party come up which has not yet prayed, and let them pray with you taking all the precautions and bearing arms.} [Surah al-Nisaa’ (4): 102]

Allaah تعالى has made it an obligation upon Muslims to observe the Salaah in congregation at times of war and great panic. If this is the case, then what about doing so at times of peace? If it was allowed for someone to abandon the Salaah in congregation, those who are engaged in war against the enemy would be the first to have an excuse for abandoning the congregation. So, it becomes evident that observing the Salaah in congregation is one of the most important obligations and that no one is allowed to abandon it.

[Majmoo` Fataawa of Shaikh Ibn Baaz (12/15-16)]