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Etiquette of Mosques
Sk. Dr. Yonis Salih
Translated by: Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa.
20 Rabee-AlAwal 1431h
5 March 2010 ac
This place is one of the houses of Allah which is established, and its doors are opened to faithful worshippers. It is an oasis of faith which opens its arms for the true faithful. It is a safe and secure refuge for the wondering lost in order to return to the Lord of the worlds to be successful.
Mosques are places were elevated and given great status by Allah. Allah says: {In houses which Allah Has allowed to be exalted and that His name shall be spoken therein. Therein do offer praise to Him at mornings and evenings. (36) Men whom neither business nor selling entice from speaking of Allah and performing prayers and paying charity; who fear a day when hearts and eyeballs will overturn (37) That Allah may reward them with the best of what they did, and gives them more reward of His bounty. Allah gives unreservedly to whom He wishes} 24:36-38.
Allah increased the status of mosques by associating them to Himself when He says: {And therefore mosques are only for Allah, so pray not unto anyone along with Allah} 72:18. The messenger ppbu said: {The best places are mosques, and the worst places are markets}. It is only logical and it’s a form of obeying Allah that if Allah and His messenger ppbu have glorified mosques that we ought to glorify and respect them. What are our duties towards mosques?
The successful one is the one who Allah made him or her to serve, respect and build or support mosques. That is the true faithful. Allah says: {He shall tend and support Allah's sanctuaries or mosques that believes in Allah and the day after and observed prayers and gave charity and feared none except Allah. For those may be amongst the rightly guided} 9:18. The successful one is who attends mosques and supports them through praying and remembering Allah and doing the good deed. The looser is the one who keeps away from mosques. Let us know that attending and supporting mosques is not something we donate and decide to do, rather it is a selection and guidance by Allah we ought to be thankful for. Allah has selected us from all people and that is a great honor. We ought to behave correctly towards mosques in order to truly win this great and elevated status.
Some of the important conducts and etiquettes towards the houses of Allah are through enlivening them and worshiping Allah. That is the first of many functions for which Mosques are built. Other etiquettes involve not speak allowed or shout inside mosques. Avoiding playing and fooling and up roaring inside of mosques. Mosques are places of peace, tranquility of the souls and submissiveness of the senses. The messenger ppbu said: {if you someone selling or buys in a mosque say: may Allah not may not make his business profit. And if you see some one seeking something they lost then say: may Allah not return what you lost back to you}.
d,serif; color: black; background-color: #C5FFFF"> Part of the mosques’ etiquette also is not to exaggerate in its decoration and painting and make it so large for the purpose of boasting about it. This is disliked act and it is one of the signs of the end of life. The messenger ppbu said: {one of the conditions of the end of life is when people boast about mosques}
Part of the mosques’ etiquette also is to dress up and fix one’s looks, and put on the perfume or the good fragrance when going to the mosque. Do not ignore the way you dress or look when coming to meet the creator of the heavens and the earth at His house. Allah say: {Man kind, look your best at each mosque and eat and drink and do not be wasteful, for Allah does not love those who are wasteful} 7:31. In fact, the messenger ppbu was report saying that if we eat garlic or onions is that we are to stay away from mosques or stay at home. This is so we would not hurt angels and Muslims.
Part of the mosques’ etiquette also is to protect from dirt, leftovers of food and rubbish, and human produced material like spit, nail trims, hair cut and others. The messenger ppbu said: {spitting inside the mosque is sin, and clearing this sin is covering the spit (or cleaning it)}.
Remember that by glorifying, respecting and honoring mosques by refraining from doing those disliked acts within the mosque is actually getting closer to Allah, and that is rewarded highly.
And also remember that as long as you are at the mosque then you are a guest of Allah and a visitor to Allah. And any visitor to Allah deserves to be honored by Allah. Let you be aware of this situation so you would receive the blessing and grace and the reward in it. The messenger ppbu said: {whoever does wado wash at his home, and does it well, then comes to the mosque then he is a visitor to Allah. And it is only right of each host to honor his guest}. In fact the messenger ppbu went on to say: {There are three who are in Allah’s care and assurance: one man who went out to one of Allah’s mosques, and a man who went out in a battle in Allah’s cause, and a man went out for Hajj}. And here we take lots of steps in this life, we frequently go to places of fun, amusement, chat, back-biting, scandal rumors, and they are all recorded for us. And we are all accountable for them on the day when we meet our creator. And yet we easily forget about steps that can clear our sins and increase our status. Such steps are those we take when we make our way to mosques. The messenger ppbu said: {Shall I guided to what would clear sins and elevates you many grades? donate a wado wash despite the troubles involved, and the plentiful of steps towards mosques, and the waiting for a prayer after another prayer, that is the bonding cord, that is the bonding cord, that is the bonding cord}.
Remember that mosques are places of worship and remember Allah and becoming closer to Him. Places for Muslims to become acquainted, and become loved and contacts established between them. They meet on the love and satisfaction of Allah and the love and satisfaction of His messenger. Mosques are for Muslims to check up on one another fulfilling its social and educational roll as well as the spiritual and other rolls. Mosques roll must not be under estimated in building the better society that is free from pests and diseases. It roll in building a strong society and a strong nation with honor derived from Allah’s honor. It is for those reasons Islam encouraged the building of mosques on piety and humbleness and goodness, seeking Allah’s satisfaction. This who builds or partly contributes a the building of a mosque will have so much grace and reward that only Allah knows its true value. Allah is that who when He gives a reward He does gives the full of reward and more. The messenger ppbu said: {whoever builds a mosque seeking Allah’s satisfaction, the Allah will build a house like it in paradise}. Imagine you, as the weak slave of Allah, building a house for Allah on this terminating earth which one day will come to past, and your reward that the owner of all worlds and the creator of all creations will build for you a house in paradise. What you slave of Allah, think of a house built by Allah? Remember you don’t just get rewarded for building the mosque, your reward is an on going matter even after you die. The messenger ppbu said: {there are seven whose reward will continue flowing for a slave when he/she is in the grave: this who teaches some science, or this who makes a river flow, or who digs a well, or plants a tree (date tree), or builds a mosque, or leave inheritance a Koran book, or leaves a child who will ask for forgiveness for him after he dies} .
Places of worship are a measure of a nation’s culture and civilization despite the right or wrong of the faith of those nations. Because worship is the most sacred thing in a human’s life. Places of such worship are sacred places. There is no life or greatness of a nation which does not have respect for its places of worship. And if those with the wrong faiths and religions have respect for their temples and churches then how could we come short on respecting our places of worship and yet we follow the faith of truth which Allah has accepted for His slaves? He, Allah is the one who says: {Faith with Allah is the surrender to His will or Islam} 3:19. He also says: {And who seeks a religion other than the Surrender (to Allah) it will not be accepted from him} 3:85. We, individuals and groups, young and old, we ought to give mosques their deserved share of care. That is financial care and maintenance, up keep of their facilities and fur nature. Also providing the moral care by glorifying and respecting mosques, and keeping voices low and supporting them and flourishing them by remembering and speaking of Allah.
The Imam from this platform calls for the support of this mosque he says: you have won a model complete mosque where you do your daily prayers, and Fridays and your Eids, your men and women, where your children learn the book of Allah, and a place for your meetings and socializing. Respect this mercy and appreciate it. And give thanks to Allah for it. The way you can give thanks is by first taking care of the facility and use it and treat it as if you treat your own homes, or even better than your homes. Because when you serve the house of Allah you are serving the house intended by the guests of Allah.
Allah, the most merciful, and the Lord of the worlds, grant us the grace of serving your houses on earth, and make us love supporting and flourishing them. Allah, make this mosque a beacon of light for knowledge and for what would bring mercy and blessings on to us. Allah, reward those who established this mosque, and build for them houses in paradise as this place was established for your worship alone and no one besides you. Allah reward well all those who contribute towards this place in any form or value, and make their contribution weighs into their scale.
Notes:
The inhabitants of the city of Al-Medina that received and supported the messenger (PPBU) when he immigrated from Mekkah in the very early years of Islam.
Adhan - The call to prayer.
Ansar (or Al-Ansar):
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.
is a verse of the Koran. It also means a miracle or a sign from God. Aya (or Ayah):
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. Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat):
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.
talking to Allah; praising him and asking him for help. Duaa: a prayer in the form of
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.
Faheem Bukhatwa, my email
address is : faheemfb@gmail.com
