Absolute Justice, Kindness and Kinship — Page 220
Justice (‘ Adl ), Benevolence ( Ihsan ) & Kinship ( Ita’i Dhil-Qurba ) in Worship 215 consideration for the needs and limitations of man. It proves that Islam is a universal and eternal religion, not confined by any geographical space or time. The passage of time does not necessitate any modification. Justice rules supreme. Young and old, rich and poor, all array themselves behind the Imam. No one is allowed to reserve a place for himself. Whoever reaches the mosque ahead of others has the prior option to sit wherever he pleases. None has the right to remove others from the place that they occupy. All are commanded to stand shoulder to shoulder. A wealthy person in the most expensive attire is not permitted to create any distance between himself and his fellow worshipper who may be a pauper dressed in rags. So not only are worshippers required to offer their prayers assembled equally behind an Imam, they are also delivered the categoric message that their station with God does not relate to their physical appearance. Whoever is more God-fearing will be ranked higher in the sight of Allah. It is decreed that the reward for each prayer will be granted in relation to the inner state of the worshipper. It is narrated that once the Holy Prophet sa observed, 'In appearance all of you offer the same prayer, but Ab u Bakr’s ra prayer is worth seventy prayers in comparison to ordinary prayers said by you. ' Hadrat Ab u Bakr ra was a very righteous man; he always prayed with deep dedication. It was in reference to