Theory and Practice of Muslim State in India c7.s3.6

c7.s3.6

Once this institution was established, no exceptions were made. Those who heard the call were ordered to come to join the congregation on pain of having their houses burned down, no excuse being permitted.[108] A blind old man living far from the congregational mosque asked the Prophet for permission to absent himself as he was blind and old - he could not see and could hardly walk. The Prophet asked him if he could hear the azan. On being told he could, he was denied permission for absenting himself from the congregation.[109] The *ahadis* declare that namaz said in congregation is twenty-five times superior to namaz said alone at home. Muhammad was very strict about attendance in congregational prayer.[110] It was obligatory for every Muslim, with the exception of four - ghulam, woman, boy and the sick.¹¹¹ Muhammad was very particular about Muslims staying together and eating together like brothers.¹¹² He exhorted them to pray together lest the Mushriks should harm them.¹¹³ It became incumbent on one momin to protect the life and property of another momin. If a non-Muslim harms a Muslim, the whole community should join together to save the latter from harm.¹¹⁴ "Muhammad is the Apostle of Allah; and those who are with him are strong against Unbelievers, (but) compassionate amongst each other."¹¹⁵ The unity among Muslims for which the community is famous, was thus established from the very birth of the creed.