What is the ruling on congregational prayer in the mosque if going to and from it takes a long time and causes hardship in performing other duties and due to weather conditions?

Know that the virtue of walking to the mosques is immense, so you should account your steps with Allah Almighty. Many prophetic traditions have indicated this, such as his (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "Whoever goes to the mosque in the morning or in the evening, Allah prepares for him a hospitable abode in Paradise, every time he goes in the morning or in the evening." And "Whoever purifies himself in his house, then walks to one of the houses of Allah to fulfill an obligatory prayer from the obligations of Allah, one of his steps erases a sin and the other raises a degree."

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also clarified the virtue of walking to the mosque even if the distance was far, for he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, the people with the greatest reward in prayer are those who walk the farthest to it, then those who walk the next farthest."

Therefore, congregational prayer is obligatory for adult men, but most of those who deem congregational prayer obligatory do not stipulate performing it in the mosque; rather, they permit performing it anywhere.

So, if you pray in congregation in your home or elsewhere, your obligation is fulfilled according to most of those who deem congregational prayer obligatory, even if you miss the virtue of going to the mosque. However, if you cannot pray in congregation except in the mosque, then you must come to the mosque if you hear the call to attain the congregation. It is permissible for you to be absent from the congregation due to an excuse such as rain or strong, cold wind.