Lecture Ludhiana — Page 47
47 sanctions such foul deeds. Islam is a clean and pure religion. Just as a father expects his children to perform the duties they owe to him and also be mutually helpful and not be at loggerheads with each other, similarly Islam lays emphasis on the Oneness of God and also underscores the need for concord and unity among mankind. Congregational prayer is promised to be more rewarding because it makes for unity. To translate this unity into practice, Islam enjoins with great emphasis that when we line up for prayer, our feet should be in line, the lines should be straight, and all worshippers should stand close to one another with a view to uniting the many into one, so that the light of one should illuminate the others, thus removing the divide which causes egoism and selfishness. Remember, man is gifted with the power to absorb the light that others radiate. It is for the realization of this unity that we are enjoined to offer daily prayers in the local mosque, the weekly prayers in the central mosque, Eid prayers in the Eidgah, and, once a year, to ensure the congregation of Muslims from all over the world in the House of God— Ka‘bah. The purpose of all these injunc- tions is none other than forging unity. Our obligations, as prescribed by God, are only of two kinds: our obligation to Allah and our obligation to His creatures. The Holy Qur’an deals with this subject at great length. In one place it says: