How can an individual living in the desert who is unable to go to the mosque, and therefore prays alone, attain the reward of congregational prayer?

The reward for congregational prayer is attained by whoever prays in a congregation, or by whoever is keen on it but is prevented by an excuse. Furthermore, the reward for congregational prayer is not limited to the mosque; rather, it is attained by anyone who prays with another, even in the wilderness. For congregational prayer is prescribed in the wilderness just as it is prescribed in settled areas and mosques, according to the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "There are not three in a village or in the wilderness among whom the prayer is not established, but that Satan has gained mastery over them. Therefore, you must adhere to the congregation, for indeed, the wolf eats the stray." If the worshipper does not find anyone to pray with, perhaps Allah will record the reward for him, for the intention of a believer is better than his deed. If the intention to perform an act of obedience is sound, but its performer is incapacitated by an impediment, then there is no far-fetchedness in equating the reward of that incapacitated person with the reward of the capable doer.