Is performing voluntary prayer in one's home superior to performing it in the mosque?

Primary text

Performing voluntary prayer in the home is superior. This is established by the saying of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him: 'Adhere to praying in your homes, for the best prayer of a person is in his house, except for the obligatory prayer.' This hadith is reported by Muslim. Furthermore, Zayd ibn Thabit narrated that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: 'A person's prayer in his home is better than his prayer in this mosque of mine, except for the obligatory prayer,' reported by Abu Dawud. Additionally, the Prophet commanded: 'When one of you finishes the prayer in his mosque, let him make a portion of his prayer for his home, for verily Allah will make that prayer in his home a good one,' reported by Muslim. The superiority also stems from the fact that prayer in the home is closer to sincerity (*Ikhlas*) and further from ostentation (*Riya*), as actions performed secretly are preferred over those performed publicly, and the home represents secrecy in this context.