From amongst the lofty qualities of the Islamic Shari`ah is that it
has legislated many actions of worship to be done in congregation. The
Muslims gather that they may keep in contact with each other, come to
know each other, seek advice from one another, seek help in removing
any difficulties that they may be in and discuss various issues with
each other. This contains great benefit and many desirable points
which cannot be enumerated such as teaching the ignorant, helping the
needy, softening the heartsand manifesting the greatness of Islam. The
Divine Revelation endorses this understanding for when it prohibits
and commands it does not direct this prohibition to any specific
individual but to the congregation as a whole. Allah says,
O you who believe! Bow, prostrate and worship your Lord. Perform the
good so that you may be successful and perform Jihad in the way of
Allah as it should be done... [al-Hajj (22):77-78]
When the Muslim stands before Allah, intimately conversing with Him
and humbling himself before Him he does not speak as an individual
rather he speaks as one part of the whole. He says,
"You Alone do we worship and You Alone we ask for help" [al-Fatihah (1):5]
He does not say, 'it is only You I worship and it is onlyYour Aid I
seek.' Then he asks Him from His goodness and guidance buthe does not
ask for himself only, instead he says,
"Guide us to the Straight Path. The Path of those whom You have
guided, not [the path] of those who have earned [Your] anger nor those
who have gone astray" [al-Fatihah (1):6-7]
Indeed the congregational prayer is from the greatest of means to
removing sectarian differences and racism based upon ones colour, race
or land. Through the congregational prayer the Muslims attain mutual
love,respect and brotherhood. This because the elders become known and
are thereby respected, the poor and needy become known and are thereby
helped, the scholars become known and are thereby asked, and the
ignorant become known and are thereby taught/- - -
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