Closing the gaps: On being an Ummah
Yesterday at the taraweeh prayers, an older woman gently admonished a younger one for having a huge bag next to her that created a gap between her and the next person praying. Someone in front of me left the prayer after four rak'as; I immediately stepped in to fill that space. In prayer, we stick together, pray in unison, and any gaps between worshipers are quickly closed by the closest person.
The way we are in prayer should be reflected in how we are in the world. When we pray in congregation, we support each other by filling in the gaps. The Prophet (pbuh) once asked the companions, “Will you not form your prayer rows as the angels do before their Lord?” We said, “O Messenger of Allah, how do the angels form rows before their Lord?” The Prophet said, “They complete the first rows and fill in the gaps between rows.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 430) In another narration, the Prophet (pbuh) also said, "... do not leave any breaches for Satan. Whoever connects a row, Allah will connect with him. Whoever breaks a row, Allah will break from him,” (Sunan Abī Dāwūd 666). Leaving gaps in prayer creates an opening for Satan, and Allah rewards the one who takes the initiative to connect the row.
As an Ummah, we allow different types of 'gaps' to grow between us. The first type is between the hearts. When we are not aware of the distance between us, we allow Satan to stand in that space. We become consumed by petty fights and bickering, instead of trying to "connect the row", so to speak. The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Shall I not tell you of what is better in degree than extra fasts, prayers, and charity?” They said, “Of course!” The Prophet said, “Reconciliation between people, for ruined relations between people is the razor,” (Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2509). While we can have differences, intense ones even, we should also be trying to close the gaps between our hearts, while always standing firm for Truth.
The second type of gap is, for lack of a better word, vocational. Imagine looking at the community and searching for a space that you can fill. The immediate community and the Ummah are better for it. If there is no homeless shelter or free hospital, think of how you can help to fill that gap. If scholars are needed, or schools, or a curriculum to be used, then perhaps that can be your calling. The Prophet (pbuh) said, "perform good deeds, for everyone is facilitated in that for which he has been created," (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim). In this way, we do not allow anyone to get between us, as we are always fulfilling the needs of the community.
Now imagine standing before Allah on the Day of Judgment as a person who filled a gap. As being a person who "connected the rows" of Muslims, both inside of prayer and outside. As someone who was not content doing what everyone else did, but looked for unmet needs and worked on fulfilling those.
May we be an Ummah like we are in prayer, united and supportive.