Is it permissible to perform prayer at home or in the wilderness?
Chapter on Imamate and Congregational Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
Performing the prayer in the house or the wilderness is permissible. The definitive evidence rests upon the statement of the Prophet, peace be upon him, that he was given five things that no one before him received: the earth was made pure and a place of purification for him, and a mosque. Therefore, whoever the time of prayer finds him, let him pray wherever he is. This is agreed upon (Muttafaq 'alayh). Furthermore, Aisha reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him, prayed in his house while sick, sitting down, and a group prayed standing behind him, so he gestured for them to sit. Additionally, the Prophet, peace be upon him, told two men, 'If you pray in your halting places (traveling arrangements), and then catch the congregation, pray with them, and it will be counted as a supererogatory prayer for you.'
Supporting text
It is stated that there is another narration suggesting attendance at the mosque is obligatory for the neighbor of the mosque because of the narration, 'There is no prayer for the neighbor of the mosque except in the mosque.' However, this narration is only known from the statement of Ali himself, as narrated by Sa'id in his Sunan. The apparent meaning intended is the congregational prayer, using the mosque as a proxy for the congregation, meaning: there is no complete prayer for the neighbor of the mosque except with the congregation. Another view is that it refers only to perfection and virtue, as sound reports indicate that prayer outside the mosque is valid and permissible.