Masjid – The House of Allah!
Masjid – The House of Allah!
The Place Dearest to Allah.
Many of us visit the Masjid five times a day. But do we have the right Regard, Esteem and the Admiration for the Masjid?
When a person comes to recognise the high status of a place or a house, it is easier for him to enter it with honour. Unfortunately very few Muslims are aware of the Reverence, the Sanctity, the Grandeur of a Masjid and that is why they fail to honour it the way it deserves to be honoured.
We always have to remember that The Masjid is the House of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala!
In fact, it is not only the House of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala, but it is also the place Dearest to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala!
Just view the Ahadeeth given below:
Abu Hurayrah (RadhiAllahu ‘Anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam said: “The parts of land dearest to Allah are its Masaajid, and the parts most hateful to Allah are the markets.” [Sahih Muslim 671]
Hadhrat Uthman (RadhiAllahu ‘Anhu) said, “I heard Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam saying: “Whoever builds a Masjid, desiring thereby Allah’s pleasure, Allah builds for him the like of it in Paradise.”“ [Bukhari]
In another Hadeeth the Messenger of Allah Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam has said there are seven whom Allah will shade with His Shade on the day when there will be no shade except His. One of these seven will be a man whose heart is attached to the Masjid.
(Ref: Al-Bukhari, no. 620; Muslim, no. 1712; and others)
This is the House which can be called the Heart of Islamic Life.
This is the House from which the Radiance and the Fragrance of Imaan emanate!
This is the House which the Angels frequent and they also participate in the activities held within it!
This is the House that profoundly serves Muslims during the Sacred month of Ramadhan.
This is the house which can be called the Centre of:
· Performing Salah (the most important ibadat) five times a day, which is actually communicating with Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala, and other Ibaadaat such as Dhikr and Du’a.
· ‘Ilm i.e. imparting and acquiring Islamic Education.
· Tarbiyyat (Islamic nurturing), especially for the Youth (see the Masjid and the Youth)
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Importance of the Masjid
Hadhrat Abu Darda (RadhiAllahu ‘Anhu) narrates:
“Whenever there was a storm, the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) would get perturbed and he would go to the Masjid.”
Who thinks of going to Masjid now-a-days, even at the time of the worst of calamities? Leave aside the common people, even those who regard themselves as good and practicing Muslims do not practice this Sunnah. What a deterioration!
There are many Brothers who, in spite of staying in the close vicinity of the Masaajid, in spite of hearing the Adhan very clearly, and in spite of having very good health, tend to keep away from the Grand House of Allah!
How disheartening and depressing it is!
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Masjid Etiquettes
There are certain etiquettes to follow when we go to the Masjid.
Du’a after hearing the Adhan
اَللّهُمَّ رَبَّ هَذِهِ الدَّعوَةِ التَّامَّةِ، وَالصَّلَاةِ القَائِمَةِ، آتِ مُحَمَّدًانِ الوَسِيلَةَ وَالفَضِيلَةَ، وَابعَثهُ مَقَامًا مَّحمُودَانِ الَّذِي وَعَدتَهُ إِنَّكَ لَا تُخلِفُ المِيعِاد
‘Allahumma Rabba hadhihi-dda` watit-tammah, was-salatil qa’imah, ati Muhammadan al-wasilata wal-fadilah, wa b`ath-hu maqaman mahmudan-il-ladhi wa`adtahu, ‘innaka laa tukhlifulmee’aad.’
O Allah! Lord of this perfect Call and of the Salaat about to be established bestow upon Muhammad the Wasilah (intercession), Grace and the lofty rank. Establish him on Makaame Mahmood which You have promised him. Verily, you do not go against the Promise.
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Sunnah of Entering and Leaving the Masjid
Entering the Masjid
Enter the Masjid with your right foot. Before entering the Masjid say:
“Allahummaftah li abwaba rahmatika”.
(“O Allah, open to me the gates of Your mercy”).
Leaving the Masjid
Leave the Masjid with your left foot. Before leaving the Masjid say:
“Allahumma inni as’aluka min fadlika”.
(“O Allaah indeed I ask of You for Your Virtue (Bounty”).
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The Masjid and the Male Youth
Youth is a very delicate period of human life. Slight heedlessness can bring misguidance to our youth. It is very essential to see that they realise the core values of Islam. Rasulullahu Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam was not only aware of the dynamism and strength of the male young Muslims, he made sure to harness them to build a better Muslim community. He gave responsible youth positions of leadership; he interacted with them in a down-to-earth manner, making a point to not only listen to them but to praise them for raising a good point in front of their elders.
Islam was never meant to be an individualistic faith, reserved for the “chosen few only”. All Muslims have a duty to spread the Deen, and the practicing Muslim youth, whether beginners, professionals, activists or leaders, have crucial roles to play.
Today many Muslims have settled in various Western countries in the world and in many of these countries Islam has very little influence. As a result, many of our youth in those countries keep away from Deen. They are very much influenced by the Western culture. Their presence in the Masaajid and participation in different Islamic activities is minimal.
Given below are some points which can bring Islamic awareness in Muslim youth.
· Increasing their love and consciousness of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala in every aspect of life.
· Creating in them true love for our Nabi Muhammad Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam and convincing them to actively follow his Sunnah.
· Advising them never to miss a single Salah in the Masjid.
· Creating an Islamic social environment where youth can meet and socialize with other Muslim youth.
· Establishing and preserving Muslim identity.
· Building and developing leadership skills from Islamic perspective in youth.
· Developing skills and confidence to cope with peer pressure.
· Avoiding friendship with non-Muslim youth except when intending to invite them towards Islam.
· Avoiding friendship with the opposite sex.
Can there be any place better than the Masjid, the Magnificent House of Allah, to activate these Muslim youth and also to instill in them the Islamic Tarbiyat?
Of course NOT!!!
We should choose at least one day in a month to organise ‘A Youth Get-together’ so that this sacred duty can be performed. The Imam is the main person to handle this vital responsibility assisted by the Ulama that are around.
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May Allah bestow upon the Muslim youth the true understanding of Deen…Aamin…Thumma…Aamin
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
By : Haqqseeker
