Ibn Majah

Commentary:

(1)
The purpose of constructing a mosque is not only the worship of Allah, the One without partner, but also that it serves as a center for the propagation of religion and as an institution for learning and teaching knowledge. The Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid Nabawi) was also a great center of knowledge, in which the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would fulfill the duty of teaching the Book and wisdom, as well as the training and purification of the soul. Therefore, when a Muslim comes to the mosque, his intention should be to attain these lofty objectives; only then will he be able to truly benefit from the blessed environment of the mosque.

(2)
Unnecessary talk and quarrelling in the mosque are contrary to the etiquette of the mosque, and such actions affect the sanctity of the mosque. Thus, the one who engages in such behavior is not only deprived of the blessings of the mosque but is also counted among the sinners.

(3)
The process of teaching and learning religious sciences is also a type of jihad, because the purpose of fighting in the way of Allah (qital fi sabilillah) is to bring people out of the misguidance of disbelief and enable them to benefit from the light of Islam. Therefore, if centers of knowledge and education do not exist, it will become difficult to teach Islam to non-Muslims and new Muslims, and the very objective of jihad will be lost.

(4)
The person who comes to the mosque neither for worship and remembrance of Allah, nor for learning or teaching knowledge, has gained nothing—just as a person who goes to the market but neither buys nor sells anything, does not obtain any worldly benefit. The goods lying in the market are not his; merely looking at them does not fulfill any of his needs. He returns from the market without obtaining any worldly benefit. Similarly, the one who sits in the mosque without purpose is deprived of religious benefits.