The Houses of Allah- 3
Houses in the vicinity of the Mosque
When there is a Mosque in the neighbourhood or vicinity of one’s house, it is incumbent for the residents to discharge their obligatory Salat in the Mosque, unless there is a clash of Aqeedah, and the people responsible for the caretaking of the Mosque do not allow Muslims who are not from their own Jamaat (faction in Islam) to perform prayer in their Mosque. But if there are no restrictions, and all Mussallis (Worshippers) are welcomed for prayer – as it should be – as Islam is the Way of Life of all Muslims, and its Mosques are for all Muslims as they are the Houses of Allah, thus, it is not permissible for those who live near those Mosques to bypass the Mosque, even to go to another Mosque to perform their Salat (prayer). That indeed is the Right (Haqq) of the Mosque, regardless of the people’s grievances and grudges.
With the exception of Muslims who are barred from some
Mosques because of their different Aqeedahs, but who in normal times
would have loved to frequent the Mosque near his house due to His love for
Allah and for the whole Ummah of His Beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), but who
unfortunately risk being reviled for frequenting that specific mosque, then it
is not a sin for him to frequent mosques were he feels welcome and which have
the mark of the true Islam in it, whereby all Muslims are welcomed.
But it is most unfortunate to notice that with people
forming of one same Jamaat, there itself are clashes and grudges where despite
the Mosque is near one’s place of residence, one discards frequenting that
Mosque, and go to another Mosque father away from his house. This should not
have been so.
It is sad to see that nowadays, there are many such
mosques which are built but who have few worshippers. This is because those
staying close to the Mosque have some issues with those Muslims who manage the
Mosque and they prefer to go to another Mosque to pray their obligatory Salat.
It is beautiful to see the construction of mosques in many parts of a country,
but unfortunately behind the construction of these Mosques, there is also the
tale of broken brotherhood.
The unwary Muslim worshippers should therefore not be
deceived by those who are adept at producing and fabricating excuses and
interpretations and misinterpretations to justify their acts of abandoning the Mosque
for the sake of nourishing their personal grudges, aggrandisement, vanity and
pride.
The Ranks of the Mosques
But if the Big Mosque can accommodate all Mussallis
in the locality, then it is required of the Muslims to perform their prayer in
the big Mosque for it derives much more benefits than praying in any other
places, because here we have the true representation of Islam, with having all Mussallis
under one roof, in one same Mosque. Such unity fosters strong brotherhood in
Islam.
When this requirement is fulfilled, next in rank we
have the Mosque which is closest to one’s lieu of residence.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has said: “O
people! Perform your prayers at your homes, for the best prayer of a person is
what is performed at his home except the compulsory congregational prayer.”
(Bukhari)
Going to the bigger Mosque applies for Jumu’ah prayer,
but as for the daily prayers, it is improper for the Muslims of a locality to
abandon their small neighbourhood mosques (close to their houses) in order to
attend the Big Mosque. In spite of the greater blessings of the Big Mosque, the
Mussallis are commanded by the Shariah not to abandon the
neighbourhood Mosque.
Behaviour to observe when frequenting the Mosque
When one intends to set out for performing Salat
in the Mosque, one should be in a purified state, called the state of Wudhu
(ablutions). According to a Hadith, the person who sets out with Wudhu
for performing the obligatory prayers in the Mosque gains the blessings of the one
who sets out for Hajj with Ihram. This blessing is reserved for the Mussalli
who goes to the Mosque with sincerity, his intention being only to perform Salat
in the Mosque; not to create mischief, division and disorder among the Mussallis.
When proceeding to the Mosque, the Mussalli should walk with dignity and humility engaging in Zikr (i.e. the remembrance of Allah). For every step taken to the Mosque, ten good deeds are recorded. When the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) would go to the Mosque, he would step slowly- humbly and with dignity. It is also mentioned in another Hadith that for each step taken towards the Mosque, one sin is wiped out and one’s rank is elevated.
After entering the Mosque and before sitting down, the
Mussallis are strongly recommended to perform two Rakat Tahiyatul
Masjid (two cycles of prayers for the Mosque).
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “When one of
you comes to the Masjid, then let him perform two Rakat before sitting.”
(Tirmidhi)
Worldly conversation inside the Mosque
It is not permissible to engage unnecessarily in any
worldly talk inside the Mosque. Worldly conversation inside the Mosque destroys
good deeds in the same way as fire consumes fuel. When a person indulges in worldly
talk inside the Mosque, many of his good deeds are eliminated.
In fact, it is not permissible to engage in loud Zikrullah
and Tilawat-i-Quran loudly inside the Mosque as this can inconvenience
the other worshippers in the Mosque. But if he is alone, then he can do so (but
not too loud).
These rules suffice to demonstrate the sanctity of the
Mosque, its awe and reverence. Its rank of elevation cannot be extended to
another venue, especially concerning the Jumu’ah prayers and the daily
obligatory prayers. Another venue cannot be equated with the Mosque. The blessings
and virtues attainable from the Mosque cannot be obtained by performing Salat
elsewhere.
In view of the sanctity of the Mosque, it is forbidden
for one to develop the habit to use the Mosque as a shortcut to cross to the
other side, to go to another place. If it is an urgent matter, then he can do
so, but if he makes a habit to do so, by ignoring the sanctity of the Mosque
and entering the Mosque by one door and go away through the other door just to
benefit from a shortcut root, then it is a very great wrong. This person has
become a faasiq (wrongdoer) because he uses the house of Allah cheaply -
for a worldly purpose.
So, one must always hold the Mosques of Allah in high
regard and uses it in the most righteous ways and not to promote sins or his
personal grudges and assault other worshippers (Mussallis) who engage in
commanding righteousness and prohibiting evil. All forms of fitna
(disorder) should be stopped and the righteous way of Islam must be maintained
for a pure tomorrow. Insha-Allah.
May Allah help us all in the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam,
as well as the rest of the Muslim Ummah to truly values the Mosques of Allah
and carry Islam in our every move and behaviour for an enriched life in the
obedience of Allah. Insha-Allah, Ameen.
---Friday Sermon of
Part I
Part II