Saturday, March 24, 2012

The Masajid


The Masajid

By Sayyid Sābiq

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful;
All the praise and thanks is due to Allāh, the Lord of al-`ālamīn. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allāh, and that Muhammad, Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam is His Messenger.

The Masjid is a sacred house. It is Muslims frequented place and where they meet one another daily to perform the Solāh also for other acts of worship and activities. As the Masajid are Allāh's Houses, Allāh Says: “And the masajid are for Allāh (Alone)… (Al-Jinn, 72:18) and the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) laid the etiquette and rules that should be learned and upheld by every Muslim. There are rules and etiquette that must be observed in order to uphold the sacredness of that Masajid as the House of Allah.

1 - The Earth as a Masjid

Allāh the Exalted has conferred a special blessing upon this ummah - that is, the whole earth has been declared a mosque for it. Therefore, when the time for prayer comes, a Muslim may pray wherever he may be. Abu Dharr (radiyallāhu`anhu) asked the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam), “What was the first masjid on the earth?” He said: "The Masjid al-Haram [in Makkah].” Abu Dharr (radiyallāhu`anhu) asked: “which is the next oldest mosque?" The Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: “Masjidil al-Aqsa.” Abu Dharr (radiyallāhu`anhu) asked: “How much time was there between [the building of the two].” The Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) replied: “Forty years.” Then, he said: “Wherever you may be, at the time of solah, you may pray for it [the earth] is all a mosque.” This is related by the group. 

2 - The Excellence of Building Masajid 

`Uthman bin `Affan (radiyallāhu`anhu) reports that the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever builds for Allāh a masjid, seeking by it Allāh's grace, Allāh will build for him a house in paradise.” This is related by al-Bukhari and Muslim. 

`Abdullah Ibn `Abbas  (radiyallāhu`anhu) reports that the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever builds for Allāh a mosque, even if it be tiny, like a bird’s nest, Allāh will build for him a house in paradise.” This is related by Ahmad, Ibn Hibban, and al-Bazzar with a sahih chain. 

3 - Supplications While Going To the Masjid 

It is Sunnah to make supplications while going to the Masjid. The following are examples of such supplications: 

Umm Salamah (radiyallāhu`anha) reports: “When the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) left the house he would say: ‘In the name of Allāh, I put my trust in Allāh. O Allāh, I seek refuge in Thee lest I stray or be led astray or cause injustice or suffer injustice or do wrong or have wrong done to me!’” This is related by Abu Dawud, an-Nasa`ie, Ibn Majah, and at-Tirmidzi, who calls it sahih. 

Anas bin Malik (radiyallāhu`anhu) reports that the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: “Whoever says upon leaving from his house: ‘In the name of Allāh, I put my trust in Allāh. There is no power or might except with Allāh,’ it will be said to him: ‘That is sufficient for you...you are guided, defended, and protected and the devil will be driven away from you.’” This is related by Abu Dawud, an-Nasa`ie, and at-Tirmidzi who calls it hasan. 

Al-Bukhari and Muslim record from ‘Abdallāh ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallāhu‘anhu) said: “… Then the muezzin gave the call to prayer, and the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) came out, saying, ‘Allāhumma aj ‘al fi qalbi nūran wa fi lisāni nuran waj ‘al fi sam ‘i nūran waj ‘al fi basari nūran waj ‘al min khalfi nūran wa min amāmi nūran waj ‘al min fawqi nūran wa min tahti nūran, Allāhummah a’tini nūran (O Allāh, place with my heart light, and upon my tongue light, and within my ears light and within my eyes light, and place behind me light, and in front of me light, and above me light, and beneath me light, O Allāh, bestow upon me light)’”.  This is related by Bukhāri and Muslim. 

Abu Sa`id al-Khudri (radiyallāhu`anhu) reports that the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: “If a man leaves his house to go to the prayer and says, ‘O Allāh, I ask You by the right of the suppliant upon You and by the right of this walking - as I have not come out in an arrogant or unthankful manner or for show or for fame; I came out in fear of Your anger and desiring Your pleasure - I ask You to rescue me from the Fire and to forgive my sins as no one forgives sins, save You,” Allāh will assign for him seventy thousand angels to ask forgiveness for him and Allāh turns His face to him until he finishes his prayer.” This is related by Ahmad, Ibn Khuzaimah, and Ibn Majah. Al-Hafez said that it is hasan. 

4 - Supplications upon Entering and Leaving the Masajid 

It is a Sunnah for one who wants to enter the Masjid to enter with his right foot first and then say  a du‘ā as  reported by Abu Humaid (radiyallāhu`anhum) who said: The Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam)said: “When any one of you enters the mosque, let him say:   “Allāhumma iftah li abwaab rahmatika” (O Allāh, open to me the gates of Your mercy), and when he leaves let him say,   “Allāhumma inni as’aluka min fadlika” (O Allāh, I ask You of Your bounty). [Narrated by Muslim, 713]

The Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) used to like to start with his right in everything.

Abu Hurairah (radiyallāhu‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: “When any one of you enters the masjid, let him send blessings upon the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) and say, “Allāhumma iftah li abwaab rahmatika” (O Allāh, open to me the gates of Your mercy). When one wants to leave the Masjid he should step with his left foot first and say: “Bismillah,  Allāhumma Salli`ala Muhammad. Allāhummaghfirli Wa iftah li abwaab rahmatika. A‘udzubillahi minashaitānirrajim (In the name of Allāh! O Allāh, shower blessings upon Muhammad. O Allāh, forgive my sins for me and open for me the doors of Your bounty. O Allāh, protect me from the accursed Satan).” This is related by Ibn Majah, 773; classified sahih by al-Albāni in Sahih al-Jaami’, 515]

It was reported that "Ibn Omar (radiyallāhu‘anhu) used to step with his right foot first when he entered the Masjid, and step out with his left foot first when he walked out of the Masjid."

If there is a group of people who want to enter the Masjid at the same time, then the one on the right should go in first to uphold the Sunnah of the Prophet (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) (Bukhāri)

Abu Humaid (radiyallāhu‘anhum) reported, who said: The Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: “When any one of you enters the mosque, let him say:   “Allāhumma iftah li abwaab rahmatika (O Allāh, open to me the gates of Your mercy)”, and when he leaves let him say,   “Allāhumma inni as’aluka min fadlika (O Allāh, I ask You of Your bounty)”. This is related by Muslim.

5 - The Excellence of Proceeding to the Masjid to Attend Solah 

Abu Hurairah (radiyallāhu`anhu) reports that the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: “If anyone goes back and forth to the Masjid [to attend the prayers], Allāh will prepare for him a feast in paradise as often as he goes back and forth.” This is related by Ahmad, Al-Bukhari, and And Muslim. 

Abu Sa`id al-Khudri (radiyallāhu`anhu) reports that the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: “If you see a man frequenting the Masjid, then testify that he has faith. As Allāh says, ‘The attendants of Allāh’s Masjid are those who believe in Allāh and the last day [At-Tawbah 18].’” This is related by Ahmad, Ibn Majah, Ibn Khuzaimah, Ibn Hibban, and by at-Tirmidzi, who says it is hasan, and by al-Hakim who says it is sahih. 

Muslim records, on the authority of Abu Hurairah (radiyallāhu`anhu), that the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: “If anyone purifies himself in his house, and then walks to one of the houses of Allāh to fulfill one of the obligations laid down by Allāh, then [each one] of his steps will erase one of his sins and the next will raise his degrees.” 

Abu ad-Darda’ (radiyallāhu`anhu) reports that the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wa sallam) said: “The Masjid is a house for every pious person, and Allāh provides everyone whose house is the Masjid with comfort, leisure, and a path to Allāh's pleasure, to paradise.” This is related by at-Tabarani and al-Bazzar with a sahih chain. 

We have already mentioned the hadith which begins with words “Shall I not point out to you [an act] by which Allāh erases sins and raises degrees . . . ?” 

6 - The Prayer of Salutations to the Masjid (Tahiyatul Masjid) 

Abu Qatadah (radiyallāhu`anhu) reports that the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: “When one of you comes to the Masjid, he should pray two raka`at before he sits.” This is related by the group. 

7 - Three Most Excellent Masajid 

Jabir ibn Samurah (radiyallāhu`anhu) reports that the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: “Prayer in the inviolable Masjid [in Makkah] is like 100,000 prayers [elsewhere]. And prayers in my Masjid [in Medinah] are like one thousand prayers [elsewhere]. And a prayer in Baitul-Maqdis [in Jerusalem] is like five hundred prayers [elsewhere]. This is related by al-Baihaqi, and as-Sayuti says it is hasan. 

Ahmad records that the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: “Offering solah in my Masjid is better than one thousand prayers elsewhere, save for those offered in the inviolable Masjid. And solah in the inviolable Masjid is better than solah in my Masjid by one hundred prayers.” 

The Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wa sallam) said: “One should not undertake a journey, save to three Masajid: the inviolable Masjid [in Makkah], my Masjid here [in Medinah], and Masjid al-Aqsa [in Jerusalem].” This is related by the group. 

8 - Embellishing the Masajid 

Anas bin Malik (radiyallāhu`anhu) reports that the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: “The Hour will not come to pass until the people vie with each other in (building) the Masajid.” This is related by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, an-Nasa`ie, Ibn Majah, and Ibn Hibban who calls it sahih. Ibn Khuzaimah's wording is: “A time will come when the people will vie with each other in (building) the Masajid but very few will attend (the Masajid).” 

Ibn `Abbas (radiyallāhu`anhu) reports that the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: “I have not been ordered to build high and lofty Masajid.” Abu Dawud's version adds: “Ibn `Abbas (radiyallāhu`anhu) said: ‘You will certainly embellish them as the Jews and Christians embellished [their places of worship]’.” The preceding hadith was related by Abu Dawud and by Ibn Hibban who calls it sahih. 

'Umar (radiyallāhu`anhu) ordered Masajid to be built and would say: “Protect the people from the rain. Beware of red and yellow decorations for they distract people.” This is related by Ibn Khuzaimah in his sahih and by Al-Bukhari in mualaq form. 

9 - Keeping the Masajid Clean and Scenting Them 

‘Aishah (radiyallāhu`anha) reports that the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) ordered that Masajid be built in residential areas and that they be cleaned and perfumed. This is related by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidzi, Ibn Majah, and Ibn Hibban with a good chain. Abu Dawud's wording is: “He ordered us to build the Masajid in the residential areas, to build them well, and to purify them. ‘Abdullah would burn incense when ‘Umar (radiyallāhu`anhum) would sit on the pulpit.”
Anas bin Malik (radiyallāhu`anhu) reports that the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: “The rewards of my ummah were placed before me, even for removing a speck of dust from the Masjid.” This is related by Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidzi, and Ibn Khuzaimah who calls it sahih. 

10 - Maintaining the Masajid 

The Masajid are houses of worship and it is obligatory to keep them clean and free of filth and noxious smells. 

Muslim records that the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: “These Masajid are not meant for urine or filth but they are for the remembrance of Allāh and the recital of the Qur'an”. 

Ahmad records, with a sahih chain, that the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: “If one of you expectorates, he should cover it lest it should be smear a believer's body or clothing and harm him.” 

Ahmad and al-Bukhari record from Abu Hurairah (radiyallāhu`anhu) that the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: “When one of you stands to pray, he should not spit in front of him as he is facing Allāh when he is in prayer. And he should not spit to his right as there is an angel on his right. So, he should spit to his left or under his feet and he should bury it.” 

Jabir ibn Samurah (radiyallāhu`anhu)  reports that the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: “Whoever eats garlic, onion, or leek should not come close to our Masjid for the angels are harmed by what harms the children of Adam.” This is related by al-Bukhari and Muslim. 

On Friday, 'Umar (radiyallāhu`anhu) addressed the people saying: “O you people, you eat of two plants which I consider bad [onion and garlic] for I have seen the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam), when he perceived their smell from someone, he would order the man to go to al-Baqi’. Whoever eats them should suppress their odor by cooking them.” This is related by Ahmad, Muslim, and an-Nasa`ie. 

11 - Prohibition of Announcing Lost Objects, Trading or Reciting Poetry in the Masajid 

Abu Hurairah (radiyallāhu`anhu) reports that the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: “If you hear a man announcing in the Masjid about some object which he has lost tell him: ‘May Allāh not return it to you for the Masajid are not built for that’.” This is related by Muslim. 

Abu Hurairah (radiyallāhu`anhu) also relates that the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: “If you see someone buying or selling in the Masjid, say to him: ‘May Allāh not give you any profit in your trading’.” This is related by an-Nasa`ie and at-Tirmidzi. The latter calls it hasan. 

'Abdullah Ibn 'Umar (radiyallāhu`anhu) reports that the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) forbade buying and selling in the Masjid, reciting poetry in it, or announcing lost items, and he especially prohibited making a circle [i.e., a meeting in a circle] before the Friday prayer. This is related by the five, and at-Tirmidzi calls it sahih. 

The poetry which is prohibited is that which ridicules a Muslim, praises a wrongdoer or some lewdness, and so on. Concerning that which contains wisdom or praises of Islam or encouragement to piety, there is nothing wrong with it. Abu Hurairah (radiyallāhu`anhu) reports that `Umar passed by Hassan as he was reciting poetry in the Masjid. `Umar looked at him in a disapproving manner. Hassan said: “I used to recite when one better than you was present.” He turned to Abu Hurairah (radiyallāhu`anhu) and said: “I adjure you by Allāh to state that you have heard the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) say: ‘Respond for me [Hassan]. O Allāh, support him with the Angel Gabriel’.” Abu Hurairah (radiyallāhu`anhu) said: “Yes, [I heard it].” This is related by al-Bukhari and Muslim. 

12 - Begging In the Masjid 

Shaikh al-Islam Ibn Taimiyah says: “Begging is forbidden whether it is in the Masjid or outside it, unless there is a real need for it. If necessary, one may begging in the Masjid as long as one does not harm anyone and does not lie in begging, or disturb the people by stepping over them or with one's loudness, for instance, when the people are listening to the Friday khutbah, and one distracts them by one's voice.” 

13 - Raising One's Voice in the Masjid 


Muslims should beware of doing anything that may offend or disturb those who come to the mosque for worship. It is forbidden to raise one's voice in such a way that it disturbs others' prayers, This includes disturbing those who are reading Qur’an, praying or remembering Allah in the mosque. Teaching or imparting knowledge (to others) is exempt from this prohibition. 
It is an evil deed (sayi’ah) to disturb the people in the masjid by talking about worldly affairs, because this is offensive to them and distracts Muslims from doing acts of worship properly. Disturbing others is not allowed, even if it takes the form of reading Qur’an, more so if it takes other forms.
Ibn 'Umar (radiyallāhu`anhu) relates that the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) entered upon some people while they were praying and they were raising their voices in the Qur'anic recital. The Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wa sallam) said: “One who is praying is in a private conversation with his Lord so he should be mindful of whom he is conversing with. And you should not raise your voices against each other in [the recital of] the Qur'an.” This is related by Ahmad with a sahih chain. 

Abu Sa`id al-Khurdi (radiyallāhu`anhu) reports that the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) was making seclusion (I’tikaf) in the Masjid and he heard the people reciting aloud. He removed the covering and said: “Verily, each of you is in a private conversation with his Lord so you should not disturb each other. And you are not to raise your voices against each other in the recitation.” This is related by Abu Dawud, an-Nasa`ie, al-Baihaqi, and al-Hakim who grades it sahih according to the criteria of al-Bukhari and Muslim. 
Ahmad Ibn Shu’aib An-Nasa’ie related in Al-Sunan Al-Kubra from Abu Hazim Al-Timar from Al-Bayadi, that the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) came out and found the people praying and reciting in loud voices. He Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: “The one who is praying is conversing with his Lord, so let him think about what he is saying to Him. Do not compete with one another in reciting Qur’an loudly.”

Ibn Muhairiz (radiyallāhu`anhu) reported to have said:“Speaking in the mosque is idle talk, except for one who is praying, or remembering his Lord, or asking for help or giving help.” [Musannaf ‘Abd al-Razzaq, part 8, Babb Kalam ‘Ikrimah]

14 - Talking In the Masjid 

Al-Hakim reported in ‘al-Mustadrak’ that Anas Ibn Malik (radiyallāhu`anhu) said: “The Messenger of Allah (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: ‘There will come a time when people will sit in circles in the mosques and they will have no concern except this world. Allah has no need of them so do not sit with them.’ This is a sahih hadith even though Al-Bukhari and Muslim did not narrate it. Al-Dhahabi said in Al-Talkhis that it is sahih.”

This hadith states that this blameworthy deed is disliked, because the mosques are not built for such a purpose. Allah commanded that mosques should be built to remember Him and to conduct prayers and acts of worship and obedience to Him, such as I’tikaf (retreat, seclusion for devotion and worship), and different kinds of dzikirs such as circles for reciting Qur’an and seeking knowledge.

An-Nawawi (rahimallāh) says: “It is permissible to engage in lawful conversation in the Masjid and one may discuss worldly affairs and other things and even laugh, as long as it is about something permissible. This opinion is based on the hadith of Jabir Ibn Samurah (radiyallāhu`anhu) who said: “The Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wa sallam) would not rise from his place of the Morning Prayer until the sun had risen, and when the sun rose, he would get up. And they would talk and laugh about [pre-Islamic] days of ignorance, and he would smile’.” This is related by Muslim. 

15 - Permission to Eat, Drinks, or Sleep in the Masjid 

Ibn `Umar (radiyallāhu`anhu) says: “During the time of the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wa sallam), we would sleep and take nap in the Masjid, and at that time, we were young men.”
 
An-Nawawi (rahimahullāh) said: “It is confirmed that Ahl As-Suffah, `Ali, Sufyan ibn Umayyah, and a number of the companions used to sleep in the Masjid. Thumamah slept there before he embraced Islam. All of that was during the time of the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam).” Ash-Shaf'i`ie (rahimahullāh) writes in 'Al-Umm': “If a polytheist could sleep in a Masjid, then definitely a Muslim can.” In ‘al-Mukhtasar’ it is said: “There is no harm in a polytheist staying in any Masjid except the inviolable Masjid [in Makkah].” `Abdullah ibn al-Harith says: “During the time of the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wa sallam), we would eat meat and bread in the Masjid.” This is related by Ibn Majah with a hasan chain. 

16 - Clasping the Hands or Intertwining the Fingers 

It is disliked to clasp one's hands while going to the Masjid or while waiting for the salah in the Masjid, although it is perfectly permissible to do so at other times, even in the Masjid. Ka`ab relates that the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: “When one of you makes wudu', perfects the wudu', and leaves with the intention of going to the Masjid, he should not intertwine his fingers as he is [considered to be] in salah.” This is related by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, and at-Tirmidzi. 

Abu Sa`id al-Khudri (radiyallāhu`anhu) says: “I entered the Masjid with the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wa sallam) while a man was sitting in the middle of the Masjid with his fingers intertwined. The Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) motioned to him but the man did not notice or understand him. The Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) turned and said: ‘If one of you is in the Masjid, he should not intertwine his fingers as intertwining of the fingers is from the Satan, and you are in the prayer while you are in the Masjid until you leave it’.” This is related by Ahmad. 

17 - Solah between Walls and Enclosures 

It is allowed for the imam or one who is offering salah by himself to pray between two walls or enclosures. Al-Bukhari and Muslim record from Ibn `Umar (radiyallāhu`anhu) that when the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) entered the Ka`abah, he prayed between two walls. 

Sa'id ibn Jubair, Ibrahim at-Taimi, and Suwaid ibn Ghuflah led the people in solah while they were between two columns. It is disliked for the followers to pray between them if they have enough room because it cuts the row, but they may do so if they are constrained to it. 

Anas bin Malik (radiyallāhu`anhu) says: “We were prohibited to offer salah between walls and we would keep others from it.” This is related by al-Hakim who says it is sahih. 

Mu`awiyyah Ibn Qurrah relates that his father said: “We were prohibited to make rows between walls during the time of the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) and we kept others from it.” This is related by Ibn Majah but one of its narrators is majhul (unknown as a trustworthy person). Sa`id Ibn Mansur records in his Sunan that Ibn Mas`ud, Ibn `Abbas, and Huzhaifah (radiyallāhu`anhum) prohibited it. Ibn Sayyid an-Nass said: “There is no known difference among the companions [on this point].” 

And Allāh Almighty Knows best.

[Excerpted from Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 2:The Masajid by Sayyid Sābiq; Via ttp://ymsite.com/home/]


All About The Solah

4. Al-Wudhu’ ; 5. Tayammum;
29.   Solāh al-Jumu`ah; 30. The Sanctified Hour of Jumu’ah.

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