Are those who believe that congregational prayer is a communal obligation (fard kifayah) committing a major sin by misleading the general Muslim populace?

Congregational prayer is among the practices enjoined and encouraged by Islamic law. We have issued a fatwa stating its obligation. Nevertheless, it is incorrect to condemn as misguided anyone who does not originally deem it obligatory, or who says it is a collective obligation (fard kifaya). The obligation of congregational prayer is not a matter agreed upon by scholars. Some scholars, who are the majority, have considered it a Sunnah (recommended), while others have considered it a collective obligation, and still others have considered it an individual obligation. Most of those who deem it obligatory have not made it obligatory in the mosque. The difference of opinion on this issue is old and well-known among scholars, and each side has its evidence, which may support the preponderance of their view. Those who did not deem it obligatory are great imams, such as Malik and Al-Shafi'i, among others, and they relied on strong evidence. Even those who deemed congregational prayer obligatory did not make it obligatory in the mosque. Therefore, it is incorrect to say that whoever does not deem it obligatory in the mosque distorts the words from their contexts or misleads Muslims. There is no doubt that performing it in the mosque carries greater reward from Allah Almighty and is more conducive to maintaining it. The questioner is advised to encourage his brothers to pray in congregation in the mosque and to inspire them with its reward, without condemning or innovating.