Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem
By Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Is’haq Sahib (DB)
One of the greatest Ni’mats bestowed upon us are the Masaajid … the Houses of Allah Ta’ala …which sadly, we took for granted and did not appreciate. The Masjid is also home to the righteous and pious. Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “The Masjid is the home of every righteous person. Allah Almighty has guaranteed those who have their home in the Masaajid with the spirit, mercy, and safe passage over the bridge of Hell unto the pleasure of Allah Almighty.”[1] May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq of recognising this great bounty, appreciating it and of frequenting the Masjid.
The first ni’mat before Salaah is the great Ni’mat of the Azaan. It is Da’wat-e-Tamaa and Da’wat-e-Saadiqa, which Allah Ta’ala has granted to us. Shaytaan flees from the place where the Azaan is called. Presently, such fear has been created that we flee from the Masjid, whereas the Masjid is the sanctuary of the Muslim. It is a refuge for the Believers. We are Allah Ta’ala’s guests when we are in the Masjid.
GUEST OF ALLAH TA’ALA
Hadhrat Salmaan (Radhiyallahu ‘anhu) narrated that Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam said: “Whoever performs Wudhu (ablution) well in his home and thereafter comes to the Masjid, he is the guest of Allah and it is a duty upon the host to honour his guest.”[2]
Our beautiful, perfect Dien emphasises so much on honouring our guests and providing them hospitality and comfort. How can we think that Allah Ta’ala, who is hosting us in His House, will do otherwise? Where is Husne-Zann of Allah Ta’ala? …Does a host invite his guest to cause him harm? To cause him trouble? To inflict difficulty upon his guest? How is it that we entertain negative thoughts that Allah Ta’ala has made the Masjid, which is His Pure House, a super-spreader of sickness and harm, for His guests?
In another Hadith, it is mentioned that Allah Ta’ala is delighted upon a Believer coming to the Masjid. Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radhiyallahu ‘anhu) narrated that Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam said: “A Muslim man does not settle into the Masjid for Salaah and the remembrance of Allah, but that Allah is delighted for him, just as a family is delighted when their absent return to them.”[3]
WUDHU
The merits of Wudhu are so many, that would require a lengthy discussion. However, Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam informed us that for every step taken towards the Masjid, in the state of Wudhu, one sin is forgiven, one reward accrued and one stage is elevated in the hereafter.[4]
Subhanallah, we see how the status and rank of the Believer is continuously increasing. A Believer’s life is one which is occupied with good deeds. Allah Ta’ala is Ash-Shakoor – The One who Appreciates. Such is Allah Ta’ala’s appreciation, that rewards are given for every step taken towards good.
Another Hadith states that one who performs Wudhu at home, then proceeds to the Masjid for a Fardh Salaah secures the reward of a Haaji in the state of Ihraam.[5] …When the person is a going for Hajj, he too is a guest of Allah Ta’ala. We see that Allah Ta’ala is showering His great rewards, mercy and blessings upon the person visiting the Masjid.
Further, the Malaa’ikah (angels) ask Allah Ta’ala to forgive and have mercy on the one who remains after the Salaah, with Wudhu, in the Masjid until the Wudhu is broken.[6]
It is a common habit that when we have problems, we ask people to make Dua for us. We call or travel to meet with pious people, just to request their Duas. Here, Allah Ta’ala is honouring us with the Duas of the Malaa’ikah. May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq of staying a few minutes more in the Masjid and gain these precious Duas of the Malaa’ikah. Duas, in the Masjid, are readily accepted.
The spirit of the Sahabah (Radhiyallahu ‘anhum) and Sawliheen was and is to go early to the Masjid and be the last to leave. It should not be that we are the last to reach the Masjid and the first to leave. …Someone asked Allamah Yusuf Binnori (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh): “You are always early in the Masjid and spend more time in the Masjid.”
He was a great academic and could have been busy with his studies and Deeni work. He replied: “While I sit here, I am receiving the Duas of the Malaa’ikah, of forgiveness and mercy.”
May Allah Ta’ala grant us this conviction and Istihzaar; reflecting on the rewards when doing the action. Hadhrat Malik bin Dinar (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) had said: “A Believer in the Masjid is like a fish in the water and a hypocrite in the Masjid is like a bird in the cage (just wanting to get out).” Fortunate is that person whose heart is attached to the Masjid. For him, there is a promise of the Shade of the Arsh of Allah Ta’ala. …May Allah Ta’ala make our hearts strongly attached to the Masjid.
On the Day of Qiyamah, Allah Ta’ala will announce: “Where are my neighbours? Where are my neighbours?”
The angels will say: “Our Rabb, who is befitting to be Your neighbour?”
Allah Ta’ala will say: “Where are those who filled the Masaajid?”[7]
SAFETY AND SOLUTION
In other Ahadith, it is clearly stated that safety is guaranteed by Allah Ta’ala for the one who visits the Masjid.
Hadhrat Mu’adh ibn Jabal (Radiyallahu ‘anhu) related that Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam said: “Whoever strives in the way of Allah, his safety is assured by Allah. Whoever visits a sick person, his safety is assured by Allah. Whoever visits the Masjid in the morning or evening, his safety is assured by Allah. Whoever enters upon a leader to honour him/assist him, his safety is assured by Allah. Whoever sits in his house and does not backbite any human being, his safety is assured by Allah.”
Whilst the Masaajid are most definitely sanctuaries and safe havens, we must understand that when Allah Ta’ala’s absolute Decree comes to pass then anything can happen, even in the Masaajid, as it is recorded in history. However, in the conditions we are facing presently, we, the Ummah, desperately need to make Rujoo I’lallaah. We need to return to Allah Ta’ala, return to the Dien and return to the Masjid. In this is our solution and salvation. This is why we have to stress and emphasise the great importance and numerous virtues of coming to the Masaajid.
RAHMAH AND FADHL
When entering the Masjid, we read the Masnoon Dua:
“O Allah, open the doors of Your Mercy for me.”
Whilst in the Masjid, we are in the Rahmah of Allah Ta’ala and Allah Ta’ala’s Rahmah is all-encompassing. The English language does not do justice to the word Rahmah. Allah Ta’ala’s Rahmah upon His creation is far more than a mother for her child. The mother’s love and compassion are proverbial. A mother does not want any harm or hurt to reach her child. Allah Ta’ala’s Love and Mercy for His Creation transcend that of a mother, since Allah Ta’ala has placed those qualities within her.
Thus, Allah Ta’ala’s protection is also included in His Mercy. It is from His Mercy that He protects us from various calamities.
When we leave the Masjid, we make Dua:
“O Allah, I ask of You from Your bounty.”
The Fadhl of Allah Ta’ala signifies towards the bounty, goodness, grace and favour which Allah Ta’ala bestows upon us.
It is unfortunate that people have specifically targeted the Masjid and described the Masaajid as epi-centres and super-spreaders of the virus. This thinking is upside down. This is a wrong notion. We should not support or promote such a view which cancels the Masaajid yet which allows people to go everywhere else. When we cancel the Masjid, we cancel our unity. The Masjid is a place of complete mercy, purity and Hifazat (protection). …Allah Ta’ala has made His House the epi-centre and super-spreader of mercy.
Never in the history of Islam was the Masjid closed or the Jamaat Salaah suspended. It is really our weakness and failing that we abandoned the Masjid, we barred the Jamaat Salaah and even Jumu’ah Salaah. As Muslims, our priority is our Dien. Our Yaqeen is on the Word of Allah Ta’ala and not on man-made regulations which are prone to error. It is for us to conform and comply with the Shari’ah.
It is a sad state of affairs that we are seeking to make Shari’ah conform and comply with government protocol. It is a great betrayal that we are prepared to make amendments in our Dien, which Allah Ta'ala has already declared as perfect. He has perfected His Dien and established the Sunnah of His Beloved Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam, as the path of Divine Pleasure. The Sahaba-e-Kiraam (Radhiyallahu ‘anhum) also had to contend with plagues, but they remained committed and devoted to the Masjid.
Whilst we see this virus as a great calamity, the real calamity is losing our our Imaan, A’maal, Akhlaaq, Mu’asharaat and Mu’amaalaat. If these are lost, then we are in great calamity and tragedy.
HASTENING TO THE MASJID
If we look at the Sunnah, the Masjid was always the focal point for the Believers. In every worrying or fearful condition, Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam and his noble Companions would turn their direction to the Masjid. They would hasten to the Masjid. If the wind blew strongly, they would go to the Masjid, perform Salaah and seek Allah Ta’ala’s protection. If they were overcome by hunger … and sometimes it was extreme hunger … they went to the Masjid to make Dua to Allah Ta’ala. Even if there was a domestic problem at home, they went to the Masjid. We may go to therapists and counsellers but in reality, Allah Ta’ala is best in resolving our problems. Their Ibaadah in the Masjid offered them relief in difficulty. The Masjid offered them solutions to their problems. …The different narrations and incidents of the Sahabah (Radhiyallahu 'anhum) taking recourse to the Masjid, clearly indicates that there is safety and comfort for the Believer in the Masjid! They made the Masjid their homes.
Allah Ta’ala give us the Yaqeen and the mindset and understanding to hasten to the Masaajid and make our Duas. The Masjid is the place we have to go to; not run away from. The Masjid is not a place that offers problems; rather the Masjid is a place of solutions. Instead of encouraging towards the solution, we are discouraging the solution. We must get our perspectives and priorities in order.
Our condition is appropriately expressed by Shaykhul Hadith, Hadhrat Moulana Muhammad Zakariyyah (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh). Hadhrat (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) mentioned of people who regard poison as cure and medicine as poison. If someone considers poison to be his cure, he will take it eagerly and readily but will destroy himself. If he considers his medication as poison, he will avoid it at all cost and bring more harm to himself. …Today, we regard the Masaajid as places of sicknesses and we regard all the other worldly places as green-light zones. …It is ironic that we have restricted the pandemic to the Masaajid and Madaaris, but not the supermarkets, shopping centres, our work places, public transport, etc. – that is, those places where we spend time at.
THE MOST BELOVED;
THE MOST HATED
Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam said: “The most beloved places to Allah are the Masaajid, and the most hated places to Allah are the souks (market places/shopping malls).”[8]
Allah Ta’ala loves the Masjid. What is disliked are the market places and shopping malls. Unfortunately, there our hearts are 100% inclined. Most of us favour the shopping malls. The present conditions have not stopped us from patronising the market places and shopping centres; even though many people there don’t social distance or wear masks. ...We are so quick to photograph, video and report our own Muslim brothers who are going to the Masjid for Salaah but not the thousands who don’t abide by the government bans and restrictions, who will be found smoking, drinking and congregating, in large numbers, for other purposes. The police inform us that Muslims are reporting Muslims. They have said: "Your own kind reports on you."
Allah Ta’ala’s special Tajjalliyaat descend in the Masjid. The Malaa’ikah are present in the Masjid and the shayateen are present in the malls. The Masjid is the place of the pious … who are engaged in Ibaadaat. We are also blessed with their company when we attend the Masjid. In the Masjid, our hearts turn to Allah Ta’ala; in the shopping malls, our hearts turn to Dunya. The environment of the outside world, with all the present day Fitan, has its effect on the heart. Darkness falls onto the heart. The heart gets spiritually dirty. On the other hand, going to the Masjid, is where the heart gets spiritually clean.
AADAAB OF THE MASJID
The Masaajid are the places of purity and sanctity, therefore the instruction is to keep the Masaajid clean, which are generally well-maintained throughout the world. Even noise pollution is curbed with the command that we not engage in loud talks, arguments or anything that would disturb. A person who has bad odour such as the smell of garlic, cigarette or anything offensive is prohibited from the Masjid, until the smell diminishes. So much of attention is given to maintaining the pure atmosphere of the Masjid. This level of purity will not be found anywhere else, yet we entertain doubts about the Masjid.
UPHOLDING THE LAW
People say: “Uphold the law.” … but they restrict this to the Masjid. When it comes to our driving, do we uphold the law of the country? Do we keep to the speed limits and rules of the road? Do we uphold the law when it comes to our tax payments? With other matters, we bend the rules of the government, to suit our whim and fancy. However, when it comes to our Dien, we want to bend the rules of Dien and place regulations which even the government has not enforced upon us. Instead of upholding the laws of Allah Ta’ala, we are opposing them. Allah Ta’ala promises us great rewards for upholding His Commands, whereas the government will not be giving any rewards and is known for its empty promises.
We find fault with one who is particular about establishing the law of Allah Ta’ala and congratulate the one who changes the law of Allah Ta’ala. Our complaint is to Allah. …Allah Ta’ala help us and guide us.
One person wrote from Tanzania, saying that their solution was Qunoot-e-Naazilah, which they read every day. The president of Tanzania is Christian but he, himself, instructed that the churches and all houses of worship be kept open. Imagine! A Non-Muslim has Yaqeen on his faith and we have doubts on our Dien, which is Haq!
Our protection is in the A’maal which Allah Ta’ala has commanded us to. We need to come back to the Masaajid and come back to the Sunnah. Whoever leaves the Sunnah of Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam will find himself astray. Whoever follows the Sunnah, will find Divine protection, Divine Assistance and success in both worlds.
A SIGN OF IMAAN
Hadhrat Abu Sa’eed (Radhiyallahu ‘anhu) related that Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam said: “If you see a man committed to the Masjid, bear witness to his faith. Verily, Allah Almighty said: The Masaajid are only maintained by those who have faith in Allah and the Last Day, establish prayer and give charity.”[9]
May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq of Amal and bless us with the correct mindset of a Muslim and make us of those committed to the Masjid.
[1] Shu’ab al-Imān
[2] al-Mu’jam al-Kabīr
[3] Sunan Ibn Mājah
[5] Sunan Abi Dawud
[6] Sahih Al-Bukhari / Sahih Muslim
[7] Musnad al-Ḥārith 126
[8] Sahih Muslim
[9] Sunan al-Tirmidhī
