Even The Blind Are Not Excused From Praying At The Mosque

عَنْ أَبِي رَزِينٍ عَنْ ابْنِ أُمِّ مَكْتُومٍ أَنَّهُ سَأَلَ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي رَجُلٌ ضَرِيرُ الْبَصَرِ شَاسِعُ الدَّارِ وَلِي قَائِدٌ لَا يُلَائِمُنِي فَهَلْ لِي رُخْصَةٌ أَنْ أُصَلِّيَ فِي بَيْتِي قَالَ هَلْ تَسْمَعُ النِّدَاءَ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ لَا أَجِدُ لَكَ رُخْصَة

Narrated Amr ibn Za'dah, Ibn Umm Maktum:

Ibn Umm Maktum asked the Prophet (ﷺ) saying, “Messenger of Allah, I am a blind man, my house is far away (from the mosque), and I have a guide who does not follow me. Is it possible that permission be granted to me for saying prayer in my house?” He asked, “Do you hear summons (azan)?” He said, “ Yes.” He (the Messenger) said, “I do not find any permission for you.”

Reference  : Sunan Abi Dawud 552

In-book reference  : Book 2, Hadith 162

Grade : Hasan Sahih (sound)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. It is preferable that fardhu (obligatory) prayers for men be performed at the mosque.

2. A person is exempted from going to the mosque if he is ill.

3. However, the Prophet (ﷺ) told Ibn Umm Maktum (a blind man) to perform congregational prayer at the mosque as the azan was still within earshot, considering him still able.

We who are not disabled have no reason not to attend congregational prayers.