A voyaging ship was wrecked during a storm at sea and only two of the men on it were able to swim to a small island, desert like island.
The two survivors, not knowing what else to do agreed that they had no other recourse but to pray to ALLAH SWT. However, to find out whose prayer was more powerful, they agreed to divide the territory between them and stay on the opposite of the island.
The first thing they prayed for was food. The next morning, the first man saw a fruit-bearing tree on his side of the island, and he be able to eat it's fruit. The other man's parcel of the land remain barren.
After a week, the first man was lonely and he decided to pray for a wife. The next day, another ship was wrecked, and the only survivor was a women who swam to his side of the island, On the other side of the island, there was nothing.
Soon the first man prayed for a house, clothes and more food. The next day like magic, all these were given to him. However, the second man still had nothing.
Finally, the first man prayed for a ship, so that he and his wife could leave the island. In the morning, he found a ship docked at his side of the island. The first man boarded the ship with his wife and decided to leave the second man on the island.
He reconsidered the other man unworthy to receive ALLAH's SWT blessing, since none of his prayed had been answered.
As the ship was about to leave, the first man heard a voice asking him, "Why are you leaving your companion on the island?"
"My blessing are mine alone, since I was the only who prayed for them", the first man answered. "His prayers were all unanswered and so he does not deserve anything".
"You are mistaken!" the voice rebuked him. " He had only one prayer. which answered, If not for that, you would not have received any of ALLAH's SWT blessing".
"Tell me, the first man asked the voice, "what did he prayed that I should owe him anything?"
then the voice answered " He prayed that all your prayers be answered".
Conclusion: For all we know, our blessing are not fruit of our prayers alone, but those of another praying for us (Congregational Prayers).
The Holy Prophet of Islam (saw) has said: when one prays, he should pray not only for himself but pray for others as well. Such prayers will be answered.
Imam Mohammed Baqir (as) has said: The most acceptable prayer is one that is offered for a Momin who is not present at the place.
Our Lord Grant us good in this world and good in the hereafter, save us from the chastisement of the fire. Noble Qur'an (2:201)
Resources: Islamic websites
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