Does the Hadith: "I was commanded to establish the prayer, then I would appoint one of you [to lead the prayer], then I would go back to people who stayed behind in their homes and burn [their homes] upon them," refer specifically to Jumu'ah prayer, or does it include congregational prayers in general?

Congregational prayer is a condition for the validity of Friday prayer. However, for obligatory prayers, it is not a condition for validity. Scholars have differed on its ruling, holding three opinions:

1. Fard Kifayah (Communal Obligation): This is the relied-upon view of the Shafi'is and one opinion among the Malikis. They cited the hadith (definition) of Abu Darda: "There are no three people in a village or wilderness among whom prayer is not established except that Satan has gained mastery over them. So, adhere to the congregation, for indeed the wolf devours the stray sheep."

2. Sunnah (definition) Mu'akkadah (Emphasized Sunnah): This is the relied-upon view of the Malikis, one opinion among the Shafi'is, and a narration among the Hanbalis.

3. Wajib (definition) 'ala al-A'yan (Individual Obligation): This is the relied-upon view of the Hanbalis, one opinion among the Hanafis, and one position among the Shafi'is. This is the most preponderant view. They cited the hadith of Abu Hurairah: "I had intended to order the prayer to be established, then I would order a man to lead the people in prayer, then I would go with some men carrying bundles of wood to a people who do not attend the prayer and burn their houses down with fire." The majority of scholars interpreted this hadith as referring to hypocrites, not merely those who fail to attend.