The Houses of Allah: Part
4
During
the time of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh), there lived an old Abyssinian lady
who had made it her occupation to sweep and clean the Mosque. She died during
the night time. The Sahaba buried her without informing the Messenger of Allah
(pbuh). When he came to know about it, he was bewildered and made them understand
that he should be informed whenever someone among the believers died and he
went to the cemetery and prayed on her (i.e. either Duahs or the Janaza
Prayer – as per different versions). (Bukhari, Muslim, Ibn Majah)
Cleaning the Masjid is an honourable act. Even the elder Sahaba such as Hazrat Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab (ra) used to sweep and clean the Mosque. This blessed work should not be viewed with disdain and disgust as it is no ordinary menial work. For every speck or particle of dust removed from the Mosque, Allah rewards the one cleaning His House with great blessings.