The Demolition Of Masjid-E-Dhiraar
The Demolition Of Masjid-E-Dhiraar
The demolition or burning of Masjid al-Dhiraar , or the Mosque of Dissent, is mentioned in the Qur’an. Masjid al-Dhiraar was a Medinian mosque that was erected close to the Quba’ Mosque and which the Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) initially approved of but subsequently had destroyed while he was returning from the Expedition to Tabouk
How it happened was that Abu Aamir, a mischief-making monk of the Khazraj Tribe who had studied the Christian scriptures and had become a Christian, initially he would speak of the advent of Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). However, when Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) came to Madinah [after migrating from Makkah] he [Abu Aamir] did not become a Muslim out of jealousy and he stoked the fire of enmity.
After the Battle of Badr he fled Madinah and took up residence in Makkah among the Quraish. He came to Uhud and then went to Byzantine to persuade the Byzantine ruler to advance on Madinah. When this too failed, he sent a message to the munaafiqeen [hypocrites] of Madinah to construct a ‘masjid’ which would serve as a centre for secret discussions. The ‘masjid’ was accordingly constructed before the Tabook Expedition, adjacent to Masjid-e-Quba and the trustees [who were Munaafiqeen] pleaded with Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) to come and perform Namaaz in it. Their idea was that their construction would be conferred honour and prestige by Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) gracing it. Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) replied: “I am on my way for Jihaad right now. After this operation we will see.”
After the Tabook operation they came again. Allah Ta’ala exposed their evil designs and this Aayat was revealed:
وَالَّذِيْنَ اتَّخَذُوْا مَسْجِدًا ضِرَارًا
“And those who construct a ‘masjid’ for pernicious activities…”
Thus, Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) razed the structure to the ground.
NASHRUT TEEB Part Three (38) Ninth Year Hijrat
