mosque is a place that establishes equality. In congregational prayers, Muslims stand side by side, shoulder to shoulder, and foot to foot in equal straight rows praying behind one Imam. There is no discrimination among them on any basis. Their faces are turned towards their Maker in humility and tranquility, in a situation in which they can gain a fuller sense of the Prophet’s words:
“Verily, Allah does not look at your outward appearance or wealth, but rather He looks at your hearts and deeds.”
(Narrated by Muslim)
Allah’s profound Wisdom regarding congregational praying is manifest. With shoulder touching shoulder and worshippers of all categories and walks of life saying one supplication together, repeating one glorification together, bowing and prostrating themselves together, with all their hope placed in Allah alone, each of them comes to see themselves, and everyone else, as equal and no different before Allah, the Exalted.
· All worshippers stand in a line, without discrimination of one against the other or superiority of one over the other. They are all seeking Allah’s Pardon and Good Pleasure. And no matter how diversified their lot in this life may be, this is only meant as a test and is not given through favor or preference.
· Everyone becomes filled with a sense of contentment, satisfaction, and psychological and social equilibrium. Allah, the Exalted and the Glorious, says in His Noble Book:
“O humankind, We* (Allah) have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, in Allah’s Sight, the most honorable of you is the most righteous of you. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware”
(Qur’an 49:13)
* Royal We used by Allah in the Qur’an to denote majesty and power.
“In Allah’s Sight, the most honorable of you is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.”
(Qur’an 49:13)
