What is the ruling on a man leading his children in congregational prayer at home out of fear for them of God's punishment, and his refraining from praying in the mosque?

Some scholars are of the opinion that congregational prayer in the mosque is an individual obligation (fard ayn) upon an able-bodied man. Therefore, a father should advise his sons to maintain congregational prayer in the mosque if they hear the call, based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "Whoever hears the call to prayer and does not come, his prayer is not valid except for an excuse."

However, if the father's going to the mosque and leaving the children behind leads to them abandoning prayer altogether, then there is no harm in him praying with them in congregation at home and gradually bringing them along. This is to commit the lesser of two harms, and because some scholars are of the view that what is obligatory is prayer in congregation, not exclusively in the mosque, even though the preponderant opinion is its obligation in the mosque.