Real Revolution — Page 117
117 carefully avoids the extremes and picks out a middle course, maintaining an elasticity which fully meets the requirements of changing human faculties from individual to individual, and from time to time. . Direct Relationship Between God and Man. Thirdly, Islam eliminates the priestly class. . There is no ordained clergy, no highborn pundits, as among the Hindus, to stand as a link between God and man. In the days of both Moses and Jesus the important role of the priest was greatly emphasised, but not so in Islam where any private individual can officiate at a prescribed ritual prayer, a wedding, a funeral, or any other occasion where among the Jews and Christians the participation of an ordained priest is essential. This too was indeed a far reaching revolution, since, by taking this stand, the Holy Quran at one stroke broke the chains which had kept humanity bound for thousands of years, and ruled that for worship of the Divine. Being no intermediary was needed. . This aspect of the Islamic teaching so astonishes the Christians that they are found wondering how the Muslims can worship when there are no priests among them to officiate on these occasions. . Place of Worship Extended. Fourthly, Islam broke away completely from