Virtues of Constructing Mosques: 12 Authentic Ahadith
Excerpt taken from Sheikh Muhammad Munir Qamar’s book “Ahkam al-Masajid.”
◈ Virtues of Constructing Mosques in the Light of Hadith
Regarding those who remain engaged in the care, construction, and development of mosques, and those who find spiritual peace in their flourishing, what could be a greater testimony than the Qur’anic witness that links this act directly with Iman (faith)? Not only this, but many Ahadith of the Prophet ﷺ also mention the virtues of constructing mosques.
✿ Promise of a House in Jannah
Hadith ➊
Narrated by ʿUthman Dhu al-Nurayn (RA) in Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and Musnad Ahmad, the Prophet ﷺ said:
➊ من بنى لله مسجدا بنى الله له بيتا فى الجنة
"Whoever builds a mosque for the sake of Allah, Allah will build for him a house in Jannah."
(Bukhari 450, Mukhtasar Muslim 240, Sahih Tirmidhi 263, Ibn Majah 732, Sahih al-Jamiʿ 6131)
Another narration states:
بنى الله له مثله فى الجنة
"Allah will build for him a similar house in Jannah."
(Bukhari 450, Muslim with Nawawi 14/5/3, Sahih Targhib 264, Sahih al-Jamiʿ 6130)
Hadith ➋
The Prophet ﷺ made it clear that sincerity is the condition; otherwise, ostentation nullifies deeds. Reported by Umm al-Muʾminin ʿAʾishah (RA):
من بنى مسجدا لا يريد به رياء ولا سمعة بنى الله له بيتا فى الجنة
"Whoever builds a mosque without intending show or reputation, Allah will build for him a house in Jannah."
(Sahih al-Targhib 272)
Hadith ➌
Reward is only promised when a mosque is built where people actually pray. Reported in Musnad Ahmad and Tabarani from Wathilah ibn al-Asqaʿ (RA):
من بنى مسجدا يصلى فيه بنى الله عز وجل له فى الجنة أفضل منه
"Whoever builds a mosque where prayers are performed, Allah will build for him a better dwelling in Jannah."
(Sahih Targhib 271)
Hadith ➍
Reported from ʿAmr ibn ʿAbsah (RA) and ʿUmar ibn al-Khattab (RA):
من بنى لله مسجدا يذكر فيه بنى الله له بيتا فى الجنة
"Whoever builds a mosque for the remembrance of Allah, Allah will build for him a house in Jannah."
(Musnad Ahmad 4/113, Sharh al-Sunnah 2420, Sahih Nasaʾi 664, Ibn Majah 735, Sahih Targhib 266, Mishkat 25/1011)
Hadith ➎
Not necessary to build only a grand mosque; even a small mosque qualifies. Reported from Anas (RA):
من بنى لله مسجدا صغيرا كان أو كبيرا بنى الله له بيتا فى الجنة
"Whoever builds a mosque, whether small or large, Allah will build for him a house in Jannah."
(Sunan Tirmidhi – Daʿif, Daʿif al-Jamiʿ 5518)
Hadith ➏
Even if it is as small as the nest of a bird (Qata), Allah promises a house in Jannah. Reported by Abu Dharr al-Ghifari (RA):
من بنى لله مسجدا قدر مفحص قطاة بنى الله له بيتا فى الجنة
"Whoever builds a mosque the size of a bird’s nest, Allah will build for him a house in Jannah."
(Ibn Hibban, Musnad al-Bazzar, Tabarani – Sahih Targhib 265)
Hadith ➐
Narrated from Ibn ʿAbbas (RA):
من بنى لله مسجدا ولو كمفحص قطاة لبيضها بنى الله له بيتا فى الجنة
"Whoever builds a mosque, even as small as a bird’s nest for its eggs, Allah will build for him a house in Jannah."
(Musnad Ahmad, al-Bazzar, Sahih Targhib 268, Sahih al-Jamiʿ 6129)
Hadith ➑
Narrated from Jabir (RA):
من بنى لله مسجدا ولو كمفحص قطاة أو أصغر بنى الله له بيتا فى الجنة
"Whoever builds a mosque for Allah’s sake, even if it is as small as a bird’s nest, or smaller, Allah will build for him a house in Jannah."
(Ibn Majah 738, Sahih al-Jamiʿ 2168, Sahih Targhib 267)
Hadith ➒
Narrated by ʿAli ibn Abi Talib (RA):
من بنى لله مسجدا بنى الله له بيتا فى الجنة
"Whoever builds a mosque for Allah, Allah will build for him a house in Jannah."
(Ibn Majah 737, Sahih al-Jamiʿ 6127)
Hadith ➓
Narrated from ʿAbdullah ibn ʿUmar (RA) and Abu Umamah (RA):
من بنى لله مسجدا بنى الله له بيتا فى الجنة أوسع منه
"Whoever builds a mosque for Allah, Allah will build for him a house in Jannah wider than it."
(Sahih Targhib 270, Fath al-Bari 1/546)
Hadith ⓫
Narrated by Abu Hurayrah (RA): Deeds that continue to benefit a believer after death include:
① Knowledge he taught and spread.
② A righteous child.
③ A Qur’an he left behind.
④ A traveler’s shelter he built.
⑤ A water channel he initiated.
⑥ Charity given in good health.
⑦ Or he built a mosque.
(Sahih Targhib 273, 1080, Ibn Majah 242, Shuʿab al-Iman of Bayhaqi, Tabarani)
Hadith ⓬
Finally, the most comprehensive hadith, narrated by Umm al-Muʾminin Umm Habibah (RA), states:
من بنى لله بيتا
"Whoever builds a house for Allah."
(Fath al-Bari 1/545, al-Fawaʾid al-Samawiyyah – Hasan)
This hadith clarifies that mosques are the houses of Allah. They are not ordinary structures; they carry the honor of being Allah’s houses. Thus, they deserve utmost respect, dignity, and reverence.
