A Musalli of a certain Masjid, who previously had been attending salaah in congregation regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the Imam decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening. The Imam found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for the Imam's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a big chair near the fireplace and waited. The Imam made himself comfortable but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the play of the flames around the burning logs.
After some minutes, the Imam took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet fascination. As the one lone ember's flame diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead as a doornail. Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting.
Just before the Imam was ready to leave, he picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it. As the Imam reached the door to leave, his host said, "May Allah reward you for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back for salaah in the Masjid at Fajr."
This is the parable of Salaah in congregation for men. That person who abandons it loses the flame of Islam and its spirit. Together, Muslims recharge each other. Alone we are dead.
The Lonely Ember: Story
