Benefits of building Mosques
Written by: SK.
Translated by Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa
dd mmm yyyy h
dd mmm yyyy ac
All thanks be to Allah Lord
of the worlds. May peace and prayers be upon the best of all messengers.
Allah says: {Those that believe in Allah
and the day after and perform the prayers and bring the charity and fears no
one but Allah, it is only those who tend to and flourish and develop mosques
of Allah. for they may be amongst the guided ones} 9:18.
Tending to and flourishing and developing
does not mean just building and decorating but it also means mentioning and
remembering and calling Allah in the mosque and applying His law and
protecting it from desecration or associating others with Allah.
Allah says: {in houses Allah allowed to be
elevated and in that His name shall be remembered or enchanted, therein do
offer praise to Him at early mornings and late afternoons}24:36 . Some
scholars interpreted the word “elevated” here to mean: “to be built” while
others interpreted as to be: “elevated in status”.
The Ayah also shows the
two general rules concerning mosques:
1)
Elevation, meaning building, maintaining, protecting against desecration
both in the physical sense and the moral or symbolic sense.
2)
Remembering or calling Allah’s name in mosques is in the forms of
worship such as prayers, or reciting, or learning or teaching, praising and
giving thanks to Allah and making e3tkat or binding oneself to the mosque
especially during Ramadan.
Tending to and flourishing and developing
mosques of Allah is actually building them and maintaining them. Flourishing
them is through remembering and enchanting the name of Allah during prayers
and other forms of worship. And this is the more honorable of the two types.
Well done to this that Allah bestowed him with money and he used it to
building, tending and maintaining mosques of Allah.
The messenger ppbu said: {who ever builds
a mosque for Allah, for no intention other than for the sake of Allah, then
Allah will build for him one like that in paradise}. Note that in order
to receive the reward, it is a condition that what you offered, has to be
for the sake of Allah alone. The messenger ppbu was reported saying: {All
deeds are taken as per the intentions. And every individual will get what
he/she intended. This who immigrated for Allah and His messenger then that
is what counts for him; and this who has immigrated for a worldly benefit;
or for a woman to marry, then his immigration is what he immigrated for}
The messenger ppbu was also reported saying:
[Of all the work and good deeds that will really follow an individual
after dying (known as an on-going deed) are: Some knowledge or science he
taught and distributed, Or a good sibling left behind, or Koran book left by
will, Or a built mosque, or a resting home built for those on travel, or a
water supply (river) made to flow, Or a charity out of his/her money in his
health and life that follows him/her after death]
The messenger ppbu said: {Build mosques
and clear rubbish out of them. For this who buld a mosque for Allah. A man
asked, and this goes for mosques we build on roads? He said: yes, and
clearing them off rubbish is the dowry for the beauties in paradise}
Allah says: {have faith into Allah and His
messenger ppbu, and spend of that we entrusted you with; and such those who
believe and spend, theirs will be a great reward} 57:6. Real happiness is
only for two:
1.
A man that Allah gave him money and he spends it in service of this
religion.
2.
A man that Allah gave him the Koran, and he stays up with it parts of
the night and tips of the day.
Let it be known that Allah only accepts from
those who fear Him. Allah says: {.. Unto
Him good words ascend, and the pious deed does He exalt;} 35:10. When Abo-Talha Al-Ansari heard this verse he said: “my most
loved riches to me is the well of Haa (ÍÇÁ),
and I have just donated for the sake of Allah. Messenger of Allah ppbu, put
where Allah would guide you”. The messenger ppbu said: {Waw, that is
money which will return a lot of profit (or that’s a profitable business)}.
3uthman Ebn 3affan gave an assembled army one
thousand dinars and supplies carried on a column of horses and three hundred
camels all for the sake of Allah. The Messenger PPBU said [nothing that
3uthman does after today will harm him].
Men in the early Muslim days used to donate
all their money for the sake of Allah, up to the point that Allah praises
and complements by donors by saying: {And none has with him any favour
for reward, (19) Except as seeking (to fulfill) the purpose of his Lord Most
High. (20) He verily will be content. (21)} 92:19-21. Blessed he who was
praised, and praise to Him who gave the praise.
Dear Muslim brothers who have money, you are
being called today to spend for the sake of Allah. Be generous with what He
gave you. Remember what Allah says in his book: {What remains with you
will perish, and what remains with Allah will last}
Also remember that one good deed will count
any where between ten times to seven hundred times, or even a lot more than
that. Allah says: {Those who spend their money for the sake of Allah are
just like a grain growing into a plant with seven spikes, and in each spike
one hundred grains. Allah will replicate to whom he wants, and Allah is so
resourceful, so knowledgeable}.
Dear brothers and sisters remember that when
Allah asks you for something and promises you with the great rewards, He
surely is not in need for you to give Him, He is only testing you with what
He gave you.
Allah says: {Who is he that will lend to
Allah a goodly loan so that He may multiply it to him many folds? And it is
Allah that decreases or increases (your provisions), and unto Him you shall
return}
He also says: {And lend to Allah a goodly
loan, and whatever good you send before you for yourselves, you will
certainly find it with Allah, better and greater in reward. And seek
forgiveness of Allah. Verily, Allah is most-Forgiving, Most-Merciful.}
The messenger PPBU said: {This who builds
a mosque for Allah even if it was as big as a birds nest, Allah will build a
house for him in paradise}.
Assalam Alaikum -
The Islamic greeting, literately means: Peace
be with you. Used when approaching or leaving. When used during approaching
it will be like saying: I bring no harm to you . and when said during
leaving somebody it will mean: No harm will come to you after I leave.
Aya (or Ayah):
is a verse of the Koran.
It also means a miracle or a sign from God.
Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat):
is a mountain
outside the city of Mecca
that represents the climax of the Hajj worship. All doing
Hajj must stay at this location on the same
day.
Badr
- The place of the first significant battle between the Muslims and the
pagans of the Quraish. It is located in Saudi Arabia.
Caliph
- A Muslim ruler. See:
(Khalifa)
Dajjal
- Antichrist or the False Massiah.
Dawah
- The proliferation of Islamic teachings through word and deed.
Deen (Din)
- Religion or way of life.
Duaa:
a prayer in the form of
talking to Allah;
praising him and asking him for help.
Fatwa
- Legal verdict given based on the Qur'an (Koran) and the Sunnah which are
the recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad.
Ferdose:
is the highest level of
the all the gardens of Eden or paradise.
Fiqh
- Religious law.
Hadeeth:
is something reported
that the messenger have said. It includes all the speeches and ceremonies he gave.
It is usually narrated or told by one
of his companions. There is a list of hadeeths approximately 14000 that are
reported and checked to be genuine. No
more hadeeths are acceptably added to this list.
Hajar -
The Black Stone set into the corner of the
Ka'aba in Mecca. It is said to be a stone from Heaven.
Hajj -
The pilgrimage to Mecca which takes place in
the last month of the Islamic calendar. One of the five pillars of Islam.
Hasana or hasanas:
is the reward for a good deed. a hasana is a point or a merit for a good deed.
Hadith
- The sayings and not deeds of the prophet Muhammad recorded by his
followers. Considered authoritative and perfect.
Hajj: is
the worship of pilgrimage.
Hijra (or
Hejrah):
the event of the immigration of the messenger from Mekkah to Madina. This
event marks the start of the Islamic calendar. the Islamic calendar has 12
months based on the lunar cycle, each is 29.5 days. Hijra is also used as a
name for the Islamic dating system.
Ibadah -
Worship. All the words and deeds with which
Allah is pleased. These deeds could be prayer and charity.
Iblis - (Ibleese):
On of Satan's names.
Ibn (Ebn): the son of. Used
by Arabs as part of an individual's name. Example: Ali whose father is Omar
or the son of Omar, would be called: Ali Ibn
Omar.
Imam
(or Emam)- The leader for a prayer. In the Shiaa sect, an Imam is the individual who has the religious authority.
Iman:
belief or faith
Injil (Enjeel) -
The Bible. The book inspired to Jesus for the
Christians.
Islam
- Submission, the religion of all the
prophets of Allah culminating in Muhammad.
Jannah -
The heavenly garden, Paradise. The place of
the faithful in the afterlife.
Jihad:
is striving in the
line
of Allah in many forms. Includes a very wide scope varying from improving
oneself to fighting a defensive war in protection
of Allah's word. The greatest Jihad is the
fight one's self against temptations.
It also means "holy war."
Jinn
-
Supernatural, invisible beings race of
beings, below angels. They were made from fire. Like humans, there amongst
them are the faithful and the non beleivers and Jinn shall be judged on
Judgment Day.
Ka'aba:
A cube shaped building in
Mecca containing a stone laid there by Abraham and Ishmael. Some say
Ka'aba was first built by Adam, and some say by
Abraham. It is the holiest place for Muslims. It is where all Muslims face in their daily prayers.
Ka'aba also makes a major part of the pilgrimage
in a ritual known as Tawaf.
Khalifa:
is the Muslim ruler. Head of the Islamic empire. Exact translation:
"Successor".
Khutbah -
A sermon given in a Mosque, usually on Friday.
Kufr -
Denial or Disbelief. A term Muslims use for
anyone who denies existence of Allah or the prophecy of Muhammed.
Koran
- Also spelled Qur'an. The holy book
of Islam revealed to Muhammad by Allah through the Archangel Gabriel. Koran
literally means "the recital." It is the final revelation of Allah given to
the prophet Muhammad. It consists of 114 surahs (or chapters.)
Madinah - (Medinah): A city in the
Arabian
peninsula
(in the country known now as Saudi Arabia). A city where the messenger had to
immigrate to.
Then it was called Yathrib.
Masjid -
A
center for Muslim activity. It is referred to as a mosque.
Masiah -
A
sin, or a sinful act
Mecca or Makkah:
is
the holiest city for Muslims. It contains the Ka'aba mosque with the famous
black cubical shape. Mecca is the birth place of the messenger (PPBU).
Mosque - A Muslim
house of worship.
Muhajir -
(Muhajireen)
Immigrant, one who leaves his home town due to lack of religious freedom. It
was first used to describe early Muslims immigrating from Mecca to Median
and Ethiopia.
Muhammad -
the final messenger and
prophet of God whose message abrogated all previous revelations. He
received the Koran through the angel Gabriel over a 23 year period. Born in
Mecca and died in Medina at the age of 63. His full name: Muhammad
ibn Abd-Allah
Muslim
- One who holds faith to the religion of
Islam.
Nafilah:
a voluntary prayer other
than the five obligatory prayers; performed at any time.
Nasara -
Christians. Nasrani:
A Christian individual. Nasraniah:
Christianity.
Ommah:
is the Arabic word for a
nation. It usually refers to
the Islamic nation unless otherwise specified.
Paradise -
Another word for heaven. A
garden of bliss, fruits, rivers and all forms of pleasures imaginable and
imaginable. No suffering, disease or death. Service is provided by angels.
All live in it an ever lasting youthful life. Promised by Almighty
Allah to all faithful, true Jews, true Christians and True Muslims. Paradise
is one of two places every person will go to, either Paradise or Hellfire.
PPBU
(P.B.U.H.) :
Peace and Prayers Be
Upon him. A statement Muslims use any time they mention the name of the
messenger or make a reference to him.
Qadar -
Fate. Preordainment is the teaching that all
things, good and bad, are preordained to occur.
Qadr - (night of Qadr):
The night when the first
revelation of the Koran took place. Most likely it happened during one of the
last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Or when the Koran was brought down to
the nearest heaven in one go, and from there it was brought down in bits and
few verses at a time over a period of 23 years. This night is considered the
holiest night for Muslims with tremendous advantages.
Qibla -
The direction which Muslims turn for daily
prayers, towards Mecca.
Quraish -
An ancient Arab tribe to which the messenger
Muhammad belonged.
Ramadan -
The ninth month of the Islamic calendar which
is the month of the fast. The holiest month in the Muslim colander.
Salat -
Prayers. Generally it covers all forms of
worship, but more specifically refers to the Muslim rituals which is
performed to worship Allah five times daily.
Shiaa:
A sect of Islam that teaches that a religion
leader (Imam) should be the political ruler and must be direct descendants
of the messenger (PPBU). Therefore, disapproving of all Muslim leaders who
ruled After the messenger (PPBU) except Ali, the messenger's grandson.
Shirk -
Associating another god with Allah. Or associating anyone or anything with
Allah. Or using anyone or anything as a medium to Allah. The opposite of
Monotheism or Tawheed.
Siam or Soam-
Fasting
Sunni:
is a the title of those Muslims who are suppose to be following the life
style of the messenger. This differentiates them from the Shiaa of Iran.
Sunna (Sunnah):
Is how the Messenger PPBU lived, what he did or said. It includes the way he
dressed, ate, drank, prayed, interacted with other people and fought.
Basically, sunnah is the life style of the messenger PPBU. It is considered
the second source of legislation in Islamic laws and it is considered to be an
important reference to be used for concluding arguments and disputes.
It is also a title give to the main stream Muslims who make 90% if all
Muslims.
Surah -
A
chapter of the Koran.
Tawaf:
part of the pilgrimage (Hajj)
ritual. It involves walking round the Ka'aba Mosque in anti-clock wise
direction a number of seven circles.
Tauhid - Tawheed -
Monotheism, in Islam is the teaching that
there is only one God who alone is worthy of worship. The first requirement
of becoming a Muslim. It is included in the testimony of faith for new
Muslims when declaring that God is one: (No God but Allah)
Taqwah -
Proper fear and veneration of Allah. A divine spark that enables the person
to understand God.
Taurat: The old
Testaments and scriptures of Mosa.
Ummah -
the word means: a Nation. Usually refers to
the Islamic nation unless otherwise stated.
Umrah - (Amrah):
A mini hajj. A Minor form of pilgrimage to
Mecca. Unlike Hajj which can only be done on the 12th month of the Islamic
year, Umrah can be performed at any time.
Wathoo (wadoo): a washing up ritual
done by Muslims before each of the five daily prayers known as ablution.
Zaboor -
The
Psalms
Zakat -
The
third pillar of Islam. Alms giving, charity that is given to the poor.
