Abu Dawud

448. Commentary:
➊ This narration is weak in its chain of transmission; however, the point mentioned in it is correct because it is established by other ahadith. Most likely, due to these supporting evidences, Shaykh al-Albani rahimahullah has declared it authentic.
➋ It is Allah’s wisdom that we are faced with such circumstances that we are witnessing this innovation with our own eyes, and some mosques are made so tall and adorned to such an extent that an ordinary person, upon entering them, becomes absorbed merely in their architecture and other decorations, as if he has entered a royal palace. Some people even visit them as tourists. «لاحولَ ولا قوةَ إِلَّا بالله» However, truly, for a legitimate Shar‘i need, to strengthen the mosque, to expand it, and to provide necessary facilities for worshippers according to the season is certainly permissible, and due to lack of space, raising its height is legislatively required. In Surah al-Nur, Allah’s command is: «فِي بُيُوتٍ أَذِنَ اللَّهُ أَنْ تُرْفَعَ وَيُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ فِيهَا بِالْغُدُوِّ وَالْآصَالِ» [نور : 36]
“In houses which Allah has ordered to be raised and that His name be mentioned therein, exalting Him within them in the morning and the evenings.” Yet, it is necessary to avoid all such decorative constructions that distract from prayer, remembrance of Allah, and worship.

207 Lexical Explanation:
«مَا أُمِرْتُ» In this, «ما» is a negative particle and « أُمِرْتُ» is in the passive voice.
«بِتَشْيِيدِ اَلْمَسَاجِدِ» means to whitewash, to decorate, and to do ornamental work.

Benefits and Issues:
➊ Our esteemed researcher has declared the mentioned narration weak in terms of its chain of transmission; however, the point stated in it is correct because this issue is established by other authentic ahadith. Most likely, due to these supporting evidences, Shaykh al-Albani rahimahullah has declared it authentic.
➋ This hadith shows that it is prohibited to adorn mosques with ornamentation and decorative patterns. Such actions are considered undesirable and uncommendable.
➌ The command is to enliven mosques with the remembrance of Allah and pure worship. Decoration and adornment cause distraction from turning one's attention to Allah.
➍ The purpose of the mosque's structure is to serve as a sign of a place of worship, and to provide protection from heat, cold, rain, etc. Ornamentation and decoration of mosques is the practice of kings. Al-Walid ibn Abd al-Malik was the first person who had the Prophet’s Mosque adorned with ornamentation; otherwise, during the era of the Messenger sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and the Rightly Guided Caliphs, there is no trace of such things whatsoever. The scholars of truth were compelled to remain silent and adopt quietude.