The Congregational Prayers

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One of the distinguished scholars, who had journeyed the path of spiritual cleansing and possessed sublime ethics, was Mulla Abdullah Shushtari. He was the tutor of Muhammad Taqi Majlisi and has numerous books to his name, one of them being Majame’ al-Fawaid, which runs into seven volumes.5

He was a contemporary of Sheikh Baha`i and one day, proceeded to pay him a visit. They sat in conversation until the sound of adhan was heard whereupon Sheikh Baha`i said to him: “Offer your prayers here so that we can follow you and acquire the rewards of the congregational prayers.” Mulla reflected for a few moments after which, excusing himself, he got up and left for his house. He was (later) asked: “Why did you turn down the Sheikh’s offer when you yourself attach great importance to offering the prayers as soon as its time sets in?”

He replied: “I reflected within myself and perceived that I was not of the kind that if a person like Sheikh were to pray behind me, I would not experience a change of state. I realized that some form of showing off might creep into me and so turned down his request. ( Sima-e-Farzanegan, pg. 147; Bidadgaran-e-Aqalim-e-Qiblah, pg. 14 ) 

Reference:Anecdotes of Reflection Part 3