Is attending congregational prayer obligatory for a Muslim, and is one who leaves it without an excuse sinful, taking into account the prohibition against entering the mosque for one who has eaten garlic?

The preponderant view is that congregational prayer is obligatory. The prohibition of those who have eaten garlic or onions from attending the congregation does not serve as proof that it is not obligatory. This is because whoever does so intentionally to avoid the congregation might be sinful due to their intention to neglect an obligation. Jurists have considered the presence of a foul odor an excuse for not attending Friday prayer and congregational prayers, provided that it was not done intentionally to avoid the congregation.