In which of the two mosques is it better to pray: the mosque where it is difficult to reach the first row with devotion, or the mosque where it is easy to reach the first row with an imam who does not perfect his Tajweed without distorting the meaning?

We have not found an explicit text from the scholars regarding a preference between the two mosques mentioned, but there are advantages that may favor one over the other:

1. The mosque with more congregants: Praying in the mosque with more congregants is better, due to the hadith of Ubayy ibn Ka'b -may Allah be pleased with him- that the Prophet -peace and blessings be upon him- said: "A man's prayer with another man is purer than his praying alone, and his prayer with two men is purer than his praying with one man. And the more numerous it is, the more beloved it is to Allah, the Almighty and All-Majestic." (Ahmad, Abu Dawud, An-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah). Ibn Qudamah stated in "Al-Mughni" that performing prayer where the congregation is more numerous is better.

2. Quality of Imamate and Khushu' (devotion): If the imam of the mosque with more congregants has a good recitation and voice, and helps in achieving devotion and presence of heart, then this is an advantage that favors praying in it. Sheikh Ibn 'Uthaymeen said that the virtue related to the essence of the worship (such as devotion) takes precedence over the virtue related to its location.

Based on this, it appears that it is better for a Muslim to pray in the mosque with more congregants, especially if he can pray in the first row, which is considered a sign of strong faith and a person's desire for good and reward, due to the saying of the Prophet -peace and blessings be upon him-: "If people knew what was in the call to prayer and the first row, and they found no way but to draw lots for it, they would draw lots." (Agreed upon). And if he is unable to attain the first row despite his effort, he will have his reward, by Allah's will.