How Should Our Mosques be?
Prepared by Faddy Shaheen
1. The mosque, during the days of the Prophet Muhammad was the headquarters from which the message of Islam spread to the rest of the world.
2. It was a place for the Muslims to gather, discuss their problems and come to a solution.
3. It was a place for the head of the Muslim state to meet his advisors and counselors to discuss the problems of the entire Islamic nation and other religious matters.
4. It was considered a parliament where the representative of the Ummah (community) gather together to plan the policy of the state under the spiritual guidance of their religion.
5. It was a place where Muslims could seek refuge when a crisis occurred or when a catastrophe took place. A special prayer started their meetings, followed by a supplication, asking Almighty Allah for help and guidance.
6. The mosque was a place for the army to meet before and after battle. Before: to seek guidance, to be very tolerant and helpful to others, to fight only armed people without being harsh since the main purpose is to offer them the new Message. After: to be informed about the spoils of war, or to be taught about their mistakes. By so doing, their minds and hearts would re-main attached to and governed by the spirit of Islam.
7. The mosque was considered to be a place to meet and welcome the delegates and negotiators from other groups and countries. In this respect God says: "Those with whom you made treaty at the Sacred Mosque: as long as these stand true to you, stand you true to them: For God does love the righteous." Also it is reported that a group of delegates representing the Christians of Najran visited the Prophet and met with him in his mosque at Medina. Negotiations and agreements were made. Not only that, but also each group, the Muslims and the Christians, prayed in the mosque each according to his own way of practice.
8. The mosque was the gathering place for the community to listen to the Prophet explaining and clarifying some of the important issues facing them. Not only that, but when there were disputes among Muslims, the mosque was their only sacred place in which to meet and solve their problems.
A Masjid is a place for spiritual enrichment and guidance:
A Masjid is a place of worship:
A Masjid is a community center:
A Masjid is a place of charity and social services:
A Masjid is an educator:
A Masjid is a source of spiritual comfort:
A Masjid is a symbol of unity:
A Masjid is a reminder of Allah's mercy:
A Masjid amplifies the voices of justice:
A Masjid is a place of refuge:
A Masjid is an icon of cultural identity:
A Masjid is a bridge to the future:
In conclusion, Masjids are more than just places of worship - they are invaluable resources for the Muslim community and society at large. By providing a place for learning, charity, communal gathering and collective action, masjids serve to strengthen the bond of brotherhood and sisterhood among members of the Ummah and to promote understanding, tolerance and respect for all.
In short, a Masjid is an invaluable resource for the Muslim community as it serves as a place of worship, charity, education, spiritual refuge, unity and cultural identity. It acts as a platform for collective action and provides an opportunity to cultivate faith and share knowledge with others, thereby serving as a bridge to the future. May Allah (SWT) grant us increased insight into His everlasting mercy and grace. Ameen.