Is it better to wait for congregational prayer or to perform the prayer at the beginning of its prescribed time?

If the congregational prayer is delayed beyond the beginning of the prayer's time, but without exceeding its legal (Shari'ah) time, then it is obligatory to wait for it for those who consider it individually obligatory, which is the preponderant opinion. As for those who consider it a Sunnah or a communal obligation (fard kifayah), they differ on which is better: praying individually at the beginning of the time, or waiting for the congregation, or combining both by praying twice (once individually at the beginning of the time, and once with the congregation), which is what Imam An-Nawawi chose. If one wishes to pray only once, then delaying is better to attain the virtue of congregational prayer and to avoid scholarly disagreement.

However, if the congregational prayer is delayed such that the legal time for the prayer expires, then it is not permissible to wait for it. Rather, it must be performed within its time, due to Allah's warning for those who delay prayer beyond its time.