إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ لِلَّهِ نَحْمَدُهُ، وَنَسْتَعِينُهُ، مَنْ يَهْدِهِ اللَّهُ فَلَا مُضِلَّ لَهُ، وَمَنْ يُضْلِلْ فَلَا هَادِيَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَمَّا بَعْدُ:
Those Who Participate in the Construction of the Mosque
(مَثَلُ الَّذِیْنَ یُنْفِقُوْنَ اَمْوَالَهُمْ فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ اَنْۢبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِیْ كُلِّ سُنْۢبُلَةٍ مِّائَةُ حَبَّةٍؕ-وَ اللّٰهُ یُضٰعِفُ لِمَنْ یَّشَآءُؕ-وَ اللّٰهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِیْمٌ)
Allah Almighty has said:
“The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] that sprouts seven ears; in every ear is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [the reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.”
Hadith 1:
(( عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكِ ، قَالَ: كَانَ مَوْضِعُ مَسْجِدِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ لِبَنِي النَّجَارِ ، وَكَانَ فِيْهِ نَحْلٌ وَمَقَابِرُ لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ، فَقَالَ لَهُمْ : ثَامِنُونِى بهِ ، قَالُوا: لا نَأْخُذُ لَهُ ثَمَنًا أَبَدًا، قَالَ: فَكَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ يَبْنِيهِ وَهُمْ يُنَاوِلُونَهُ، وَالنَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ: أَلا إِنَّ الْعَيْشَ عَيْشُ الْآخِرَهُ ، فَاغْفِرْ لِلْأَنْصَارِ وَالْمُهَاجِرَهُ . ))
Hazrat Ibn Malik (RA) says that the place where the Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid an-Nabawi) is today belonged to the tribe of Banu Najjar. There were some date palm trees and graves of the polytheists there. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said to Banu Najjar: Take the price of this land from me. Banu Najjar replied: We will never take its price from you (rather we will seek reward and blessings from Allah). Hazrat Anas (RA) says that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was building the mosque, and the companions were giving him bricks and mortar while reciting these verses:
Life is only the life of the Hereafter. O Allah, forgive the Ansar and the Muhajirin.
Do not make mosques a passageway
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: وَّ اَنَّ الْمَسٰجِدَ لِلّٰهِ فَلَا تَدْعُوْا مَعَ اللّٰهِ اَحَدًا
Allah Almighty has said:
“And [also] that the mosques are for Allah, so do not invoke with Allah anyone.”
Hadith 2:
((وَعَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ : لَا تَتَّخِذُوا الْمَسَاجِدَ طُرُقًا إِلَّا لِذِكْرِ أَوْ صَلَاةٍ .))
Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (RA) says that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
Do not make mosques thoroughfares; they should only be used for the remembrance of Allah and for performing prayers.
Build the mosque in a clean and pure place
Hadith 3:
((وَعَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ : الْأَرْضُ كُلُّهَا مَسْجِدٌ إِلَّا الْمَقْبَرَةَ وَالْحَمَّامَ .))
And Hazrat Abu Saad Khudri (RA) says that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
Except for the graveyard and the bathroom, all the land is a mosque.
Keeping a place for prayer in the home
Hadith 4:
((وَعَنْ جَابِرٍ ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ : إِذَا قَضَى أَحَدُكُمْ الصَّلوةَ فِي مَسْجِدِهِ فَلْيَجْعَلْ لِبَيْتِهِ نَصِيبًا مِنْ صَلوتِهِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ جَاعِلٌ فِي بَيْتِهِ مِنْ صَلوتِهِ خَيْرًا . ))
And Hazrat Jabir (RA) says that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
If any one of you has performed his (obligatory) prayer in the mosque, then let him keep some part (i.e., voluntary prayer) for his home as well. Allah will bless his home with goodness and blessings because of that prayer.
Building a mosque in a graveyard is prohibited
Hadith 5:
((وَعَنْ عَائِشَةَؓ قَالَتْ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ : فِي مَرَضِهِ الَّذِي لَمْ يَقُمْ مِنْهُ ، لَعَنَ اللهُ الْيَهُودَ وَالنَّصَارَى اتَّخَذُوا قُبُورَ أَنْبِيَائِهِمْ مَسَاجِدَ . ))
And Hazrat Aisha (RA) says that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said during his illness of death:
May Allah’s curse be upon the Jews and Christians; they have turned the graves of their prophets into mosques.
Simplicity should be observed in mosque construction
Hadith 6:
((وَعَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنَ عُمَرَ أَخْبَرَهُ: أَنَّ الْمَسْجِدَ كَانَ عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَبْنِيًّا بِاللَّبِنِ وَالْجَرِيدِ . ))
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (RA) that during the blessed time of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), a mosque was built using mud bricks and sticks.”
Decorations in mosques are a sign of the Day of Judgment
Hadith 7:
((وَعَنْ أَنَسٍ ، أَنَّ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ: لَا تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى يَتَبَاهَى النَّاسُ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ . ))
And it is narrated from Hazrat Anas (RA) that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“The Day of Judgment will not come until people begin to boast about mosques.”
Reward and merit of building a mosque
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:(اِنَّمَا یَعْمُرُ مَسٰجِدَ اللّٰهِ مَنْ اٰمَنَ بِاللّٰهِ وَ الْیَوْمِ الْاٰخِرِ وَ اَقَامَ الصَّلٰوةَ وَ اٰتَى الزَّكٰوةَ وَ لَمْ یَخْشَ اِلَّا اللّٰهَ فَعَسٰۤى اُولٰٓىٕكَ اَنْ یَّكُوْنُوْا مِنَ الْمُهْتَدِیْنَ)
Allah Almighty has said:
“Only those build the mosques of Allah who believe in Allah and the Last Day, establish prayer, give zakat, and fear none except Allah. It is hoped that these are among the rightly guided.”
Hadith 8:
((وَعَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ عَفَّانَؓ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ: مَنْ بَنَى مَسْجِدًا يَبْتَغِي بِهِ وَجْهَ اللَّهِ بَنَى اللَّهُ لَهُ مِثْلَهُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ . ))
And Hazrat Uthman bin Affan (RA) says that I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say:
Whoever builds a mosque for the pleasure of Allah, Allah will build for him a similar house in Paradise.
Hadith 9:
((وَعَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُوْلَ اللهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ: مَنْ بَنَى مَسْجِدًا يُذْكَرُ فِيهِ اسْمُ اللَّهِ ، بَنَى اللَّهُ لَهُ بَيْتًا فِي الْجَنَّةِ .))
And Hazrat Umar bin Khattab (RA) says that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
Whoever builds a mosque in which Allah is remembered, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise.
Hadith 10:
((وَعَنْ عَائِشَةَؓ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ: مَنْ بَنَى مَسْجِدًا لا يُرِيدُ بِهِ رِيَاءً وَلَا سُمْعَةً بَنَى اللَّهُ لَهُ بَيْنَا فِي الْجَنَّةِ .))
And it is narrated from Hazrat Aisha (RA) that the Prophet ﷺ said:
Whoever builds a mosque without showing off or seeking fame, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise.
Great Reward for Building a Small Mosque
Hadith 11:
((وَعَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللهِ ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ: مَنْ بَنَى مَسْجِدًا لِلَّهِ كَمَفْحَصِ قَطَاةٍ ، أَوْ أَصْغَرَ ، بَنَى اللَّهُ لَهُ بَيْتًا فِي الْجَنَّة .))
Muhaddith Albani has declared it “Sahih”.
And it is narrated from Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah (RA) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
Whoever builds a mosque the size of a bird’s nest or even smaller, Allah Almighty will build a house for him in Paradise.
Hadith 12:
Building a mosque is a continuous charity
((وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ : إِنَّ مِمَّا يَلْحَقُ الْمُؤْمِنَ مِنْ عَمَلِهِ وَحَسَنَاتِهِ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهِ ، عِلْمًا عَلَّمَهُ وَنَشَرَهُ، وَوَلَدًا صَالِحًا تَرَكَهُ ، وَمُصْحَفًا وَرَثَهُ، أَوْ مَسْجِدًا بَنَاهُ أَوْ بَيْتًا لابْنِ السَّبِيلِ بَنَاهُ ، أَوْ نَهْرًا أَجْرَاهُ، أَوْ صَدَقَةً أَخْرَجَهَا مِنْ مَالِهِ فِي صِحَتِهِ وَحَيَاتِهِ ، يَلْحَقُهُ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَوْتِهِ .))
Muhaddith Albani has graded it as “Hasan.”
And Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) says that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
Among the deeds of a believer that continue to benefit him after his death are seven:
1. Knowledge that he taught and spread to others
2. A righteous child he left behind
3. The Qur’an which he left as a (scholarly) inheritance
4. A mosque that he built
5. A house built for travelers
6. A canal he dug
7. Charity given while he was healthy in his lifetime. The reward for these seven deeds continues to reach a person even after his death.
The importance of a mosque built on the basis of piety in the present time
Hadith 13:
((وَعَنْ عَائِشَةَؓ لَبِثَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي بَنِي عَمْرِو بْنِ عَوْفٍ بِضْعَ عَشْرَةَ لَيْلَةً، وَأُسِّسَ الْمَسْجِدُ الَّذِي أُسِّسَ عَلَى التَّقْوَى، وَصَلَّى فِيهِ رَسُولُ اللهِ ثُمَّ رَكِبَ رَاحِلَتَهُ ))
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Aisha (RA) that (during the migration) the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stayed for a few nights in the neighborhood of Bani Amr bin Auf (Quba) and had built the mosque whose foundation is based on piety (then for as many days as you stayed there) you ﷺ continued to offer prayers in that mosque.”
The Participation of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in the Construction of the Mosque
Hadith 14:
((وعنهاؓ ثُمَّ رَكِبَ رَاحِلَتَهُ فَسَارَ يَمْشِي مَعَهُ النَّاسُ حَتَّى بَرَكَتْ عِنْدَ مَسْجِدِ الرَّسُولِ ﷺ بِالْمَدِينَةِ وَهُوَ يُصَلِّي فِيهِ يَوْمَئِذٍ رِجَالٌ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ، وَكَانَ مِرْبَدًا لِلتَّمْرِ لِسُهَيْلِ وَسَهْلٍ غُلَامَيْنِ يَتِيمَيْنِ فِي حَجْرٍ أَسْعَدَ بْنِ زُرَارَةَ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ حِينَ بَرَكَتْ بِهِ رَاحِلَتُهُ: هَذَا إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ الْمَنْزِلُ ثُمَّ دَعَا رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ الْغُلَامَيْنِ فَسَاوَمَهُمَا بِالْمِرْبَدِ لِيَتَّخِذَهُ مَسْجِدًا ، فَقَالَا وَلا بَلْ نَهَبُهُ لَكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، فَأَبَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ أَنْ يَقْبَلَهُ مِنْهُمَا هِبَةً حَتَّى ابْتَاعَهُ مِنْهُمَا ، ثُمَّ بَنَاهُ مَسْجِدًا وَطَفِقَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ يَنْقُلُ مَعَهُمُ اللَّبِنَ فِي بُنْيَانِهِ وَيَقُولُ، وَهُوَ يَنْقُلُ اللَّبِنَ:
هَذَا الْحِمَالُ لَا حِمَالَ خَيْبَرْ
هَذَا أَبَرُّ رَبَّنَا وَأَطهَرْ
وَيَقُولُ:
اَللَّهُمَّ إِنَّ الْأَجْرَ أَجْرُ الآخِرَةِ
فَارْحَمِ الْأَنْصَارَ وَالْمُهَاجِرَهُ
And it is also narrated from Hazrat Aisha (RA) that (when departing from Quba) you ﷺ mounted your she-camel and other people were walking with you ﷺ. The she-camel sat near the Mosque of the Prophet ﷺ in Medina. At that time, some Muslims were praying there. This land belonged to two orphan boys, Sahl and Suhail, who used to dry dates there. These two boys were under the care of As’ad bin Zarara (RA). The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said regarding the place where the she-camel sat:
ان شاء اللہ ! This will be our place. Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ called those two children and negotiated with them for the place where dates were dried so that he could build a mosque there. They said, O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! We will not take its price; we gift this land to you ﷺ. But the Messenger of Allah ﷺ did not accept the gift; rather, he bought it from them by paying the price and laid the foundation of the mosque there. In building this mosque, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ carried bricks along with all of us and said:
Carrying this burden is not like carrying the burden of Khyber; rather, this is a cause of reward and a pure deed. (O Lord, accept it from us.) And he also said:
O Allah! The reward is only for the Hereafter, so have mercy on the Ansar and the Muhajirin.
Going to the mosque first upon returning from travel
Hadith 15:
((وَعَنْ كَعْبَ بْنِ مَالِكِؓ : كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا قَدِمَ مِنْ سَفَرٍ بدَءَ بِالْمَسْجِدِ فَصَلَّى فِيْهِ .))
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Ka’b bin Malik (RA) that when the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ returned from a journey, he would first come to the mosque and offer prayer (then go home).”
Going to the mosque in a state of distress
Hadith 16:
((وَعَنْ أَبِي مُوسىٰ ﷺ قَالَ: خَسَفَتِ الشَّمْسُ فِي زَمَنِ النَّبِيِّ ، فَقَامَ فَزِعَا يَخْشَى أَنْ تَكُونَ السَّاعَةُ، حَتَّى أَتَى الْمَسْجِدَ ، فَقَامَ يُصَلِّي بِأَطْوَلِ قِيَامٍ وَرُكُوعِ وَسُجُودٍ ، مَا رَأَيْتُهُ يَفْعَلُهُ فِي صَلوةِ قَطُّ ))
“And Hazrat Abu Musa (RA) says that during the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, there was a solar eclipse, and you ﷺ rose in fear thinking that perhaps the Day of Judgment had come and went to the mosque. You ﷺ stood before Allah for prayer and performed such a long standing, bowing, and prostration that I had never seen you ﷺ perform such prolonged standing, bowing, and prostration in any prayer.”
Going to the mosque upon hearing the Adhan
Hadith 17:
((وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَؓ قَالَ: أَتَى النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم رَجُلٌ أَعْمَى فَقَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ! إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ لِى قَائِدٌ يَقُودُنِي إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ، فَسَأَلَ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ أَنْ يُرَخِصَ لَهُ فَيُصَلِّي فِي بَيْتِهِ ، فَرَخَّصَ لَهُ فَلَمَّا وَلَّى دَعَاهُ، فَقَالَ هَلْ تَسْمَعُ النِّدَاءَ بِالصَّلوةِ؟ فَقَالَ: نَعَمْ قَالَ فَأَجِبْ .))
And Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) says that a blind companion (Hazrat Abdullah bin Umm Maktum (RA)) came to the presence of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and said, “O Messenger of Allah! I do not have anyone to take me to the mosque.” He asked permission to pray at home. The Prophet ﷺ allowed him to go. But when the blind companion returned, the Prophet ﷺ called him back and asked, “Do you hear the call to prayer (Adhan)?” He replied, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah! I do hear the sound.” The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Then come to the mosque and pray.”
Warning against performing obligatory prayers at home
Hadith 18:
((وَعَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِؓ قَالَ: إِنَّ اللَّهَ شَرَعَ لِنَبِيِّكُمْ سُنَنَ الْهُدَى ، وَإِنَّهُنَّ مِنْ سُنَنِ الْهُدَى، وَلَوْ أَنَّكُمْ صَلَّيْتُمْ فِي بُيُوتِكُمْ كَمَا يُصَلَّى هَذَا الْمُتَخَلِفُ فِي بَيْتِهِ لَتَرَكْتُمْ سُنَّةَ نَبِيِّكُمْ، وَلَوْ تَرَكْتُمْ سُنَّةَ نَبِيِّكُمْ لَضَلَلْتُمْ .))
And Hazrat Abdullah (RA) says:
“Indeed, Allah Almighty has prescribed ways of worship for your Prophet ﷺ. One of these ways is that you attend the mosque where the call to prayer is made and perform the prayer there. So if you pray the obligatory prayers in your homes as a certain person who leaves the congregation does, it is as if you have abandoned the way of your Prophet ﷺ. And if you abandon the way of your Prophet ﷺ, you will go astray.”
Those who do not come to the mosque are hypocrites
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: (اِنَّ الْمُنٰفِقِیْنَ یُخٰدِعُوْنَ اللّٰهَ وَ هُوَ خَادِعُهُمْۚ-وَ اِذَا قَامُوْۤا اِلَى الصَّلٰوةِ قَامُوْا كُسَالٰىۙ-یُرَآءُوْنَ النَّاسَ وَ لَا یَذْكُرُوْنَ اللّٰهَ اِلَّا قَلِیْلًا)
Allah Almighty has said:
“Indeed, the hypocrites try to deceive Allah, but He is deceiving them. When they stand for prayer, they stand lazily, showing off to the people and not remembering Allah except a little.”
Hadith 19:
((وَعَنْهُ وَ قَالَ: لَقَدْ رَأَيْتُنَا وَمَا يَتَخَلَّفُ عَنِ الصَّلوةِ إِلَّا مُنَافِقٌ قَدْ عُلِمَ نِفَاقُهُ ، أَوْ مَرِيضٌ ، إِنْ كَانَ الْمَرِيضُ لَيَمْشِي بَيْنَ رَجُلَيْنِ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ الصَّلوةَ . ))
“And Hazrat Abdullah (RA) says that we (i.e., the Companions) used to think that a person who comes to the mosque but does not perform the prayer is such a hypocrite whose hypocrisy is completely evident, or else he is sick, although (if any of us was sick) he would also come to the mosque with the support of two men and perform the prayer.”
Performing Isha and Fajr prayers in the mosque
Hadith 20:
((وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَؓ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ : إِنَّ أَثْقَلَ صَلوةِ عَلَى الْمُنَافِقِينَ صَلوةُ الْعِشَاءِ وَصَلوةُ الْفَجْرِ وَلَوْ يَعْلَمُونَ مَا فِيهِمَا لَأَتَوْهُمَا وَلَوْ حَبْوا .))
“And Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) says that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
‘Performing the Isha prayer and the Fajr prayer in the mosque is very burdensome for the hypocrites. If they knew how much reward and merit there is in performing these two prayers in the mosque, they would come crawling on their knees to the mosque.'”
Warning for not going to the mosque after hearing the Adhan
Hadith 21:
((وَعَنْهُ وَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ : لَقَدْ هَمَمْتُ أَنْ آمُرَ بِالصَّلوةِ فَتُقَامَ ثُمَّ أَمُرَ رَجُلًا فَيُصَلِّي بِالنَّاسِ ، ثُمَّ أَنْطَلِقَ مَعِي برِجَالِ مَعَهُمْ حُزَمٌ مِنْ حَطَبٍ إِلَى قَوْمِ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ الصَّلوةَ فاحرق عليهم بيوتهم بالنّارِ .))
And Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) says that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“When some people gather in one of the houses of Allah (i.e., a mosque) and recite the Holy Quran, and they read the Quran to each other, tranquility descends upon them, the mercy of Allah envelops them, the angels surround them, and Allah mentions them to those near Him (i.e., the angels). And (remember!) the one whom his deeds have left behind, his lineage will not benefit him.”
Mosques are the houses of Allah Almighty
Hadith 22:
(( وَعَنْهُ وَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ : مَا اجْتَمَعَ قَوْمٌ فِي بَيْتِ مِنْ بُيُوتِ اللهِ يَتْلُونَ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَيَتَدَارَسُونَهُ بَيْنَهُمْ إِلَّا نَزَلَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّكِينَةُ، وَغَشِيَتْهُمُ الرَّحْمَةُ، وَحَفَّتْهُمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ ، وَذَكَرَهُمُ اللَّهُ فِيمَنْ عِنْدَهُ، وَمَنْ بَطَّا بِهِ عَمَلُهُ لَمْ يُسْرِعْ بِهِ نسبہ۔))
And Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) says that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“When some people gather in one of the houses of Allah (i.e., a mosque) and recite the Holy Quran, teaching and learning from each other, tranquility descends upon them, Allah’s mercy envelops them, angels surround them, and Allah mentions them to those near Him (i.e., the angels). And (remember!) the one whose deeds hold him back, his lineage will not benefit him.”
Mosques are the gardens of Paradise
Hadith 23:
((وَعَنْهُ وَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ : إِذَا مَرَرْتُمْ بِرِيَاضِ الْجَنَّةِ فَارْتَعُوا قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَمَا رِيَاضُ الْجَنَّةِ؟ قَالَ: الْمَسَاجِدُ قُلْتُ: وَمَا الرَّتْعُ ؟ قَالَ: سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ، وَلا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ، وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ .))
And Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) says that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“When you pass by the gardens of Paradise, then eat from its fruits.” Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) asked:
“O Messenger of Allah! What are the gardens of Paradise?” He (ﷺ) replied:
“Mosques.” Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) asked, “What are the fruits?” He (ﷺ) replied:
سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ، وَلَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا الله، والله اكبر
Imam Tirmidhi has graded it as “Hasan”.
The Most Beloved Places to Allah are Mosques
Hadith 24:
((وَعَنْهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ: أَحَبُّ الْبَلَادِ إِلَى اللَّهِ مَسَاجِدُهَا ، وَأَبْغَضُ الْبَلَادِ إِلَى اللهِ أَسْوَاقُهَا .))
And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
Among the cities, the most beloved places to Allah are the mosques, and among the cities, the most disliked places are the markets.
Mosques are Places of Peace and Security
Hadith 25:
((وَعَنْ جَابر بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِؓ قَالَ: مَرَّ رَجُلٌ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ وَمَعَهُ سِهَامٌ ، فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ أَمْسِكْ بِنصَالِهَا . ))
“And Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (RA) says that mosques on the earth are the houses of Allah which appear to the inhabitants of the heavens (i.e., angels) shining just as the stars appear shining to the inhabitants of the earth.”
Mosques are the Stars of the Sky for the Angels
Hadith 26:
((وَعَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسِ قَالَ: الْمَسَاجِدُ بُيُوتُ اللَّهِ فِي الْأَرْضِ تُضِيءُ لِأَهْلِ السَّمَاءِ كَمَا تُضِيءُ نَجُوْمُ السَّمَاءِ لَاهْلِ الأَرْضِ .))
“And Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (RA) says that mosques on the earth are the houses of Allah which appear to the inhabitants of the heavens (i.e., angels) shining just as the stars appear shining to the inhabitants of the earth.”
The Mosque is the Home of Every Believing Person
Hadith 27:
((وَعَنْ أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِؓ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُوْلَ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ: الْمَسْجِدُ بَيْتُ كُلّ تَقِي . ))
Hazrat Abu Darda (RA) says that I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say that the mosque is the home of every pious person.
Mosques are the source of goodness and blessings and the fountain of guidance
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:(اِنَّ اَوَّلَ بَیْتٍ وُّضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِیْ بِبَكَّةَ مُبٰرَكًا وَّ هُدًى لِّلْعٰلَمِیْنَ(96) فِیْهِ اٰیٰتٌۢ بَیِّنٰتٌ مَّقَامُ اِبْرٰهِیْمَ ﳛ وَ مَنْ دَخَلَهٗ كَانَ اٰمِنًاؕ-وَ لِلّٰهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَیْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ اِلَیْهِ سَبِیْلًاؕ-وَ مَنْ كَفَرَ فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ غَنِیٌّ عَنِ الْعٰلَمِیْنَ(97))
Allah Almighty has said:
“Indeed, the first House established for mankind was that at Makkah – blessed and a guidance for the worlds. In it are clear signs [such as] the standing place of Abraham. And whoever enters it shall be safe. And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House – for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves – then indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds.”
Hadith 28:
((وَعَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍ قَالَ: قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ! أَيُّ مَسْجِدٍ وُضِعَ فِي الْأَرْضِ أَوَّلُ؟ قَالَ: الْمَسْجِدُ الْحَرَامُ قُلْتُ: ثُمَّ أَيُّ؟ قَالَ الْمَسْجِدُ الْأَقْصَى قُلْتُ: كَمْ بَيْنَهُمَا؟ قَالَ: أَرْبَعُونَ سَنَةٌ وَأَيْنَمَا أَدْرَكَتْكَ الصَّلوةُ فَصَلَّ فَهُوَ مَسْجِدٌ))
And Hazrat Abu Dharr (RA) says I asked, O Messenger of Allah! Which mosque was built first on earth? You (ﷺ) said:
Masjid al-Haram. I asked:
Then which one? You ﷺ said:
Masjid Al-Aqsa. I asked:
How much time is there between the construction of these two? You ﷺ said:
Forty years! And wherever the time for prayer comes to you, pray there. That place is a mosque.
Hadith 29:
The reward of prayer in Masjid Haram
((وَعَنْ جَابِرٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللَّهِ : صَلَاةٌ فِي مَسْجِدِى أَفْضَلُ مِنْ أَلْفِ صَلَاةٍ فِيمَا سِوَاهُ إِلَّا الْمَسْجِدَ الْحَرَامَ، وَصَلَاةٌ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ مِائَةِ أَلْفِ صَلَاةٍ فِيْهِ سِوَاهُ))
And it is narrated from Hazrat Jabir (RA) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
The reward for praying in my mosque is a thousand times more than in other mosques except Masjid Haram, and the reward for one prayer in Masjid Haram is one hundred thousand times more than in other mosques.
The virtue of Masjid Al-Aqsa
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:(سُبْحٰنَ الَّذِیْۤ اَسْرٰى بِعَبْدِهٖ لَیْلًا مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ اِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْاَقْصَا الَّذِیْ بٰرَكْنَا حَوْلَهٗ لِنُرِیَهٗ مِنْ اٰیٰتِنَاؕ-اِنَّهٗ هُوَ السَّمِیْعُ الْبَصِیْرُ)
Allah Almighty said:
“Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest mosque whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing.”
Hadith 30:
((وَعَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ: لَمَّا فَرَغَ سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ دَاوُدَ – عَلَيْهِمَا السَّلَامُ – مِنْ بِنَاءِ بَيْتِ الْمَقْدِسِ سَأَلَ الله ثَلاثًا: حُكْمًا يُصَادِفُ حُكْمَهُ، وَمُلْكًا لَا يَنْبَغِي لَأَحَدٍ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ، وَأَلَّا يَأْتِيَ هَذَا الْمَسْجِدَ أَحَدٌ – لَا يُرِيدُ إِلَّا الصَّلَاةَ فِيهِ إِلَّا خَرَجَ مِنْ ذُنُوبِهِ كَيَوْمٍ وَلَدَتْهُ أُمُّهُ ، فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَمَّا اثْنَتَانِ فَقَدْ أُعْطِيَهُمَا ، وَأَرْجُو أَنْ يَكُونَ قَدْ أُعْطِيَ الثَّالِثَةَ .))
Muhaddith Albani has declared it “Sahih.”
And it is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr (RA) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
When Hazrat Sulaiman (AS) son of Dawood (AS) completed the construction of Bayt al-Maqdis, he made three supplications to Allah Almighty.
1. That Allah grants him a kingdom in which he judges according to Allah’s command.
2. That Allah grants him a kingdom such that after him, no other person receives such a kingdom.
3. That whoever comes to this mosque intending to pray, he becomes purified from sins as if he has just been born from his mother’s womb. The Holy Prophet ﷺ said:
Allah Almighty accepted two of his supplications; I hope that Allah Almighty will also accept the third supplication.
The Virtue of Traveling to the Prophet’s Mosque
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:(لَا تَقُمْ فِیْهِ اَبَدًاؕ-لَمَسْجِدٌ اُسِّسَ عَلَى التَّقْوٰى مِنْ اَوَّلِ یَوْمٍ اَحَقُّ اَنْ تَقُوْمَ فِیْهِؕ-فِیْهِ رِجَالٌ یُّحِبُّوْنَ اَنْ یَّتَطَهَّرُوْاؕ-وَ اللّٰهُ یُحِبُّ الْمُطَّهِّرِیْنَ)
Allah Almighty has said:
“(O Prophet!) Do not stand in the Mosque of Dhuar, but the mosque whose foundation was laid on piety from the first day is more deserving that you stand in it. In it are those who love to be pure, and Allah loves those who are pure.”
Hadith 31:
((وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَؓ يَبْلُغُ بِهِ النَّبِيِّ : لَا تُشَدُّ الرِّحَالُ إِلَّا إلى ثَلاثَةِ مَسَاجِدَ: مَسْجِدِى هَذَا، وَمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ وَمَسْجِدِ الاقصى . ))
It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
Do not undertake a journey to any mosque except for three mosques (with the intention of gaining more reward).
1. The Prophet’s Mosque
2. The Sacred Mosque (Masjid al-Haram)
3. Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Reward of offering two Rak’ahs prayer in Masjid Quba
Hadith 32:
((وَعَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ حُنَيْفٍؓ قَالَ: قَالَ أَبِي: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ مَنْ خَرَجَ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ هَذَا الْمَسْجِدَ مَسْجِدَ قُبَاءَ فَصَلَّى فِيهِ كَانَ لَهُ عَدْلُ عُمْرَةٍ .))
Muhaddith Albani has declared it “Sahih”.
And Hazrat Sahl bin Hunayf (RA) says that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
Whoever leaves (his house) and comes to this mosque, that is, Masjid Quba, and prays (two rak’ahs), will receive the reward equivalent to Umrah.
Allah’s Love for Mosques
Hadith 33:
((وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ وَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ: أَحَبُّ الْبِلَادِ إِلَى اللهِ مَسَاجِدُهَا وَأَبْغَضُ الْبَلَادِ إِلَى اللَّهِ أَسْوَاقُهَا . ))
And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
Among cities, the most beloved places to Allah are the mosques, and among cities, the most disliked places are the markets.
The Reward of Having a Deep Connection with the Mosque
Hadith 34:
((وَعَنْهُ وَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ: سَبْعَةٌ يُظِلُّهُمُ اللَّهُ فِي ظِلِّهِ يَوْمَ ﷺ لا ظِلَّ إِلَّا ظِلُّهُ: الْإِمَامُ الْعَادِلُ، وَشَابٌ نَشَأَ فِي عِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ، وَرَجُلٌ قَلْبُهُ مُعَلَّقٌ فِى الْمَسَاجِدِ، وَرَجُلَان تَحَابَّا فِي اللَّهِ اجْتَمَعَا عَلَيْهِ وَتَفَرَّقَا عَلَيْهِ، وَرَجُلٌ طَلَبَتْهُ امْرَأَةٌ ذَاتُ مَنْصِبٍ وَجَمَالِ فَقَالَ: إِنِّي أَخَافُ اللَّهَ ، وَرَجُلٌ تَصَدَّقَ أَخْفَى حَتَّى لَا تَعْلَمَ شِمَالُهُ مَا تُنْفِقُ يَمِينُهُ ، وَرَجُلٌ ذَكَرَ اللَّهَ خَالِيًا فَفَاضَتْ عيناه .))
And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
Allah will provide shade on the Day of Resurrection to seven types of people when there will be no other shade except His (Arsh’s) shade:
1. A just ruler
2. A youth who spent his youth in the worship of Allah
3. A person whose heart is always attached to the mosque.
4. Those two men who loved each other purely for the sake of Allah, they met on that love and parted on that love.
5. The man who was invited to sin by a noble family and a beautiful woman, but he refused saying, “I fear Allah.”
6. The man who gave charity in such a way that his left hand did not know what his right hand had given in charity.
7. The man who remembered Allah in solitude and tears flowed from his eyes (out of fear of Allah).
The Command to Keep Mosques Clean and Fragrant
Hadith 35:
((وَعَنْ عَائِشَةَؓ قَالَتْ : أَمَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِبِنَاءِ الْمَسَاجِدِ في الدور، وَأَنْ تُنفَّفَ وَتُطَيَّب .))
“And Hazrat Aisha (RA) says that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) commanded to build mosques in neighborhoods, and to keep them clean and fragrant.”
The Importance of Mosque Cleanliness
Hadith 36:
((وَعَنْ أَنَسِؓ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم رَأَى نُخَامَةٌ فِي الْقِبْلَةِ فَشَقَّ ذَلِكَ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّى رَبِّيَ فِي وَجْهِهِ ، فَقَامَ فَحَكَهُ بِيَدِهِ .))
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Anas (RA) that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) saw phlegm stuck on the Qibla wall, and it caused him great discomfort to the extent that signs of displeasure appeared on his blessed face. He stood up and wiped it off with his blessed hand.”
The Virtue of the Mosque Servant
Hadith 37:
((وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ وَ أَنَّ امْرَأَةَ سَوْدَاءَ كَانَتْ تَقُمُ الْمَسْجِدَ أَوْ شَابًا فَفَقَدَهَا رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَسَأَلَ عَنْهَا أَوْ عَنْهُ؟ فَقَالُوا: مَاتَ؛ قَالَ: أَفَلَا كُنتُمْ آذَنْتُمُونِي؟ قَالَ: فَكَأَنَّهُمْ صَغَرُوا أَمْرَهَا أَوْ أَمْرَهُ فَقَالَ: دُلُّونِي عَلى قَبْرِهِ، فَدَلُّوهُ، فَصَلَّى عَلَيْهَا، ثُمَّ قَالَ: إِنَّ هذِهِ الْقُبُورَ مَمْلُونَةٌ ظُلْمَةً عَلَى أَهْلِهَا ، وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يُنَوِّرُهَا لَهُمْ بِصَلُوتِي عَلَيْهِمْ .))
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) that a black-colored woman (or man) used to serve in the mosque. When the Prophet ﷺ did not see her for a few days, he asked the people about her. They told him that she had passed away. The Prophet ﷺ said, ‘Why did you not inform me?’ Abu Huraira (RA) says that the people considered it a trivial matter and did not inform the Prophet ﷺ. The Prophet ﷺ said, ‘Show me her grave.’ When the people showed the Prophet ﷺ her grave, he offered the funeral prayer over her. Then he said, ‘These graves are filled with darkness, but because of my prayer (or supplication), Allah makes them illuminated.'”
The Reward for Coming to the Mosque for Prayer
Hadith 38:
((وَعَنْ سَلْمَانَ وَ أَنَّ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ: مَنْ تَوَضَّأَ فِي بَيْتِهِ فَأَحْسَنَ الْوُضُوءَ ثُمَّ أَتَى الْمَسْجِدَ فَهُوَ زَائِرُ اللَّهِ؛ وَحَقٌّ عَلَى الْمَزُورِ أَنْ يُكْرِمَ الزَّائِرَ .))
Muhaddith Albani has graded it as “Sahih.”
And it is narrated from Hazrat Salman (RA) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
Whoever performs ablution at home and performs it well, then attends the mosque, he is a guest of Allah, and it is the right of the host to honor his guest.
Hadith 39:
((وَعَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرِوؓ قَالَ: قَالَ النَّبِيُّ : مَنْ رَاحَ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ جَمَاعَةٌ فَخُطْوَتَاهُ ،خُطْوَةٌ تَمْحُوا سَيِّئَةً وَخُطْوَةٌ تَكْتُبُ حَسَنَةً ذَاهِبًا وَارَاجعًا .))
Ibn Hibban has declared it “Sahih.”
And Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr (RA) says that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
Whoever goes to the mosque to attend the congregation, every step he takes erases a sin and a good deed is recorded in his book of deeds, both while going to the mosque and returning home.
Women praying in the mosque provided there is no fear of fitnah
Hadith 40:
((وَعَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ : لَا تَمْنَعُوا نِسَائِكُمْ الْمَسَاجِدَ وَبُيُوتُهُنَّ خَيْرٌ لَهُنَّ .))
And Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (RA) says that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
Do not prevent women from going to the mosque (but when there is fear of fitnah), their homes are better for them.
Supplications for entering and leaving the mosque
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: ﴿ یٰبَنِیْۤ اٰدَمَ خُذُوْا زِیْنَتَكُمْ عِنْدَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ وَّ كُلُوْا وَ اشْرَبُوْا وَ لَا تُسْرِفُوْا ۚ-اِنَّهٗ لَا یُحِبُّ الْمُسْرِفِیْنَ ﴾
Allah Almighty has said:
“O Children of Adam! Adorn yourselves at every prayer time, and eat and drink, but do not waste extravagantly, for indeed He does not like the wasteful.”
Hadith 41:
((وَعَنْ فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتِ رَسُولِ اللهِ ، قَالَتْ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ يَقُولُ: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى رَسُوْلِ اللهِ ، اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي ذُنُوبِي وَافْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ وَإِذَا خَرَجَ قَالَ: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ ، اللهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي ذُنُوبِي وَافْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ فَضْلِكَ .))
Al-Albani has graded it as “Sahih”.
And it is narrated from Hazrat Fatimah (RA), daughter of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), that when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would enter the mosque, he would say:
I enter the mosque in the name of Allah, peace be upon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), O Allah forgive my sins and open for me the doors of Your mercy. And when he would leave the mosque, he would say:
I leave the mosque in the name of Allah, peace be upon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), O Allah forgive my sins and open for me the doors of Your bounty.
وَصَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالَى عَلَى خَيْرٍ خَلْقِهِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ
