in each place using materials found nearby. This, however, is not the place for an exhaustive examination of the evidence on this matter. This practice—holding Friday prayer in villages—first began in your region, so do not discontinue this prescribed observance in your land, for Allah will bring together for you every kind of good.
Know, then—may Allah have mercy upon you and grant us and you the good of this world and the Hereafter—that Allah sent Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, with the truth and revealed the Book to him. He was sent to people with divergent desires, divided hearts, and conflicting opinions. Through him, Allah brought them together, united their hearts, and protected them from Satan’s schemes. Then He, glorified and exalted, made clear that this principle—communal unity—is a pillar of His religion.
He, glorified be He, said:
“O you who believe, fear Allah as He should be feared, and do not die except as Muslims.”
“Hold firmly, all together, to the rope of Allah and do not become divided. Remember Allah’s favor upon you: you were enemies, and He united your hearts, so that by His favor you became brothers. You were on the brink of a pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus Allah makes His signs clear to you, so that you may be guided.”
“Let there be among you a community calling to goodness, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong. It is they who will prosper.”
“Do not be like those who became divided and differed after clear proofs had come to them. They will suffer a tremendous punishment.”
“On the Day when some faces will turn white and some faces will turn black