Fiqh of Salat al-Jama'ah — Congregational Prayer
صَلَاةُ الْجَمَاعَةِ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ صَلَاةِ الْفَذِّ بِسَبْعٍ وَعِشْرِينَ دَرَجَةً
Congregational prayer is twenty-seven degrees superior to individual prayer.
Lesson for Corps Members
Scholars of the four madhabs agree that congregational prayer is at minimum Sunnah Mu'akkadah (strongly confirmed Sunnah), with the Hanbali madhab holding it to be fard (obligatory). As a corps member living at your PPA, you should actively seek mosques nearby and organize jama'ah with fellow Muslim corps members even if only two of you are present.
Notes & Q&A
Ruling on missing Jumu'ah: Missing three consecutive Jumu'ah prayers without excuse causes the heart to be sealed (Tirmidhi, 500). If your CDS or official assignment clashes with Jumu'ah, you must request accommodation from your supervisor. MCAN can assist with official letters. Jama'ah for women: Congregational prayer is not obligatory for women, though they may attend the masjid. Their prayer at home is equally valid.
Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 645; Fiqh us-Sunnah by Sayyid Sabiq; Al-Fiqh al-Islami wa Adillatuh by Wahbah az-Zuhayli