Source: Extracted from the book “Ṣaḥīḥ Namāz-e-Nabawī ﷺ” published by Maktabah Dār al-Andalus, authored by Shaykh ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ʿAzīz.❖ Section: Excellence of Mosques
❀ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:أَحَبُّ الْبِلَادِ إِلَى اللهِ تَعَالَى مَسَاجِدُهَا
“The most beloved places to Allah on the earth are its mosques.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Masājid, Bāb Faḍl al-Julūs fī Muṣallāhu Baʿda al-Ṣubḥ: 671
❖ Virtue of Building a Mosque
❀ Allah Almighty said:إِنَّمَا يَعْمُرُ مَسَاجِدَ اللَّهِ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ
“Only he shall maintain the mosques of Allah who believes in Allah and the Last Day.”
[Surah al-Tawbah: 18]❀ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever builds a mosque seeking the pleasure of Allah, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Bāb Man Banā Masjidan: 450 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 533
❀ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ also said:
“Whoever builds a mosque, even the size of a bird’s nest or smaller, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise.”
Reference: Sunan Ibn Mājah, Kitāb al-Masājid wa al-Jamāʿah, Bāb Man Banā Lillāh Masjidan: 738 – Authentic
Scholars explain that if a person contributes even the equivalent of a bird's nest in the construction of a mosque, or fulfills a need in the mosque as small as that, this virtue applies to him.❖ Etiquettes of Constructing Mosques
① A mosque must be built solely for the pleasure of Allah.❀ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَقْبَلُ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ إِلَّا مَا كَانَ لَهُ خَالِصًا وَابْتُغِيَ بِهِ وَجْهُهُ
“Indeed, Allah accepts only those deeds that are done sincerely for His sake and seeking His Face.”
Reference: Sunan al-Nasā’ī, Kitāb al-Jihād, Bāb Man Ghazā Yaltamis al-Ajr wa al-Dhikr: 3142 – Authentic
② A mosque should not be built over a graveyard. If it was a polytheists' graveyard and has been cleared, then it is permissible—like the Prophet ﷺ did when building Masjid al-Nabawī.
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Bāb Hal Tunbashu Qubūr Mushrikī al-Jāhiliyyah: 428
③ The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The Hour will not be established until people start decorating mosques unnecessarily.”
Reference: Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Bāb fī Binā’ al-Masājid: 449 – Ḥasan
④ ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنه said during the construction of the Prophet’s mosque:
“I am only building it to shield people from the rain. Do not decorate the mosque with red or yellow colors lest it leads people into trial.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Bāb Bunyān al-Masjid – Muʿallaqan: 446
⑤ Carpets and decorations inside the mosque should be simple so as not to distract the worshippers.
❀ ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها said:
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Remove this curtain from before me, for its decorations distracted me in prayer.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Bāb In Ṣallā fī Thawb Muṣallab: 374
⑥ Hanging clocks in mosques that ring like church bells is not permissible.
⑦ Decorating mosques with lights, garlands, or flowers during festivals imitates churches and should be avoided.
❖ Caring for the Mosque: A Sign of Faith
❀ Allah Almighty said:إِنَّمَا يَعْمُرُ مَسَاجِدَ اللَّهِ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ
“Only he shall maintain the mosques of Allah who believes in Allah and the Last Day.”
[Surah al-Tawbah: 18]❀ ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها said:
أَمَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِبِنَاءِ الْمَسَاجِدِ فِي الدُّورِ وَأَنْ تُنَظَّفَ وَتُطَيَّبَ
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ ordered that mosques be built within neighborhoods, kept clean, and perfumed.”
Reference: Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 455 – Ibn Mājah: 758 – Authentic
❖ Populating the Mosque: A Source of Great Reward
Among those honored under Allah’s Shade on the Day of Judgement is:❀ “A man whose heart is attached to the mosque.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 660 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1031
❀ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
بَشِّرِ الْمَشَّائِينَ فِي الظُّلَمِ إِلَى الْمَسَاجِدِ بِالنُّورِ التَّامِّ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ
“Give glad tidings to those who walk to the mosques in darkness, that they will have complete light on the Day of Judgement.”
Reference: Sunan Ibn Mājah: 781 – Authentic
❀ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever goes to the mosque morning and evening, Allah prepares for him a place of hospitality in Paradise every time he goes and returns.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 662 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 779
❀ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever performs ablution at home, intending only to pray, and heads to the mosque, every step he takes raises him a degree or erases a sin. And as long as he remains in the place where he prayed, the angels continue to send mercy upon him saying, ‘O Allah, have mercy on him, O Allah, forgive him,’ so long as he remains in his place of prayer, does not break wudū, and does not harm anyone. The Prophet ﷺ also said: ‘As long as someone is waiting for prayer, he is in prayer.’”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 2119 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 649
❀ The Prophet ﷺ said:
وَمَا اجْتَمَعَ قَوْمٌ فِي بَيْتٍ مِنْ بُيُوتِ اللهِ...
“Whenever a group gathers in one of the Houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and studying it among themselves, tranquility descends upon them, mercy envelops them, angels surround them, and Allah mentions them among those with Him.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2699
❀ Allah Almighty said:
“Who is more unjust than one who prevents the mention of Allah’s Name in His mosques and strives toward their destruction?”
[Surah al-Baqarah: 114]❖ Special Virtues of Specific Mosques
① Al-Masjid al-Ḥarām (Makkah)
❀ Allah said:“Indeed, the first House [of worship] established for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah), blessed and a guidance for the worlds.”
[Surah Āl-ʿImrān: 96]❀ The Prophet ﷺ said:
الْحَجَرُ الْأَسْوَدُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ
“The Black Stone is from Paradise.”
Reference: Sunan al-Nasā’ī: 2938 – Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī: 877
❀ The Prophet ﷺ said:
“One prayer in al-Masjid al-Ḥarām is better than 100,000 prayers elsewhere.”
Reference: Sunan Ibn Mājah: 1406 – Authentic
② Al-Masjid al-Nabawī (Madīnah)
❀ It was built by the Prophet ﷺ himself.
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 428 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 524
❀ The area between his grave and pulpit is a garden from the gardens of Paradise:
“Between my house and my pulpit is a garden from the gardens of Paradise, and my pulpit will be on my Ḥawḍ (Reservoir) on the Day of Judgement.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1196 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1391
❀ The Prophet ﷺ said:
“A prayer in this mosque of mine is better than 1,000 prayers elsewhere, except al-Masjid al-Ḥarām.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1190 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1394
③ Al-Masjid al-Aqṣā (Jerusalem)
- It was the second mosque built on earth after al-Masjid al-Ḥarām.
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 3425 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 520 - It was the first Qiblah (direction of prayer) for Muslims.
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 399 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 525/17
“Do not undertake a journey (for religious merit) except to three mosques: al-Masjid al-Ḥarām, this mosque of mine (al-Masjid al-Nabawī), and al-Masjid al-Aqṣā.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1189 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1397
④ Masjid Qubā’
- The first mosque built by the Prophet ﷺ in Islamic history.
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 3906
“One prayer in Masjid Qubā’ is equal to an ʿUmrah.”
Reference: Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī: 324 – Ibn Mājah: 1412
❀ The Prophet ﷺ used to visit and pray there every week.
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1194 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1399/516
⑤ Masjid Dhū al-Ḥulayfah
- Located in a blessed valley.
“Last night, a messenger from my Lord came to me while I was in the valley of al-ʿAqīq and said: ‘Pray in this blessed valley.’”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 2337
❖ Etiquettes of Going to the Mosque
① One should go to the nearest mosque without any valid excuse for seeking distant ones.
❀ The Prophet ﷺ said:
“A man should go to the mosque closest to his home and not seek others without need.”
Reference: Ṭabarānī al-Kabīr: 13373 – Chain: Ḥasan
② One should not enter the mosque after eating foods with a bad odor like garlic or onion.
❀ The Prophet ﷺ said:
مَنْ أَكَلَ ثُومًا أَوْ بَصَلًا فَلْيَعْتَزِلْنَا...
“Whoever eats garlic or onion, let him keep away from us or our mosque, or remain at home until its smell disappears.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 855 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 564/69
➤ One must ensure no foul odor is coming from their body, mouth, or clothes before entering a mosque. Smokers of cigarettes or hookah must not enter the mosque while emitting odor—it is prohibited (ḥarām).
❖ Supplications (Duʿā’s) Related to Entering & Leaving the Mosque
✿ While going for Fajr prayer, the Prophet ﷺ would recite:
اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ فِي قَلْبِي نُورًا...
“O Allah, place light in my heart, light on my tongue, light in my hearing, light in my sight, light before me, behind me, above me, below me – O Allah, grant me light!”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 763 – Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 6316
✿ On entering the mosque:
اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ
“O Allah, open the gates of Your mercy for me.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 713
✿ For protection from Shayṭān:
أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ...
“I seek refuge with Allah, the Most Great, with His Noble Face and His Eternal Authority, from the accursed Shayṭān.”
Reference: Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 466 – Authentic
✿ Upon exiting the mosque:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ
“O Allah, I ask You from Your Bounty.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 713
✿ Enter with the right foot, exit with the left foot.
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 426
❖ Who Cannot Enter the Mosque
❀ Allah said:
“O you who believe! Do not approach prayer while intoxicated until you understand what you say, nor in a state of janābah—except if passing through the mosque.”
[Surah al-Nisāʾ: 43]- A junub (ritually impure person) or menstruating woman must leave the mosque immediately if impurity begins.
- Forgetful entry is excused but must exit as soon as remembered.
❀ A case from the Sunnah:
Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported the Prophet ﷺ remembered he was junub after entering the mosque. He asked the people to remain and went for ghusl.
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 275 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 605
❖ Who May Enter the Mosque
✔ Women – allowed with proper dress and intention for worship.
✔ Children – permissible; the Prophet ﷺ led prayer carrying his granddaughter.
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 516 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2543
✔ Non-Muslims – if needed (e.g., Thumāmah ibn Uthāl was tied in the mosque).
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 469
❖ Prohibited Acts in the Mosque
① Shirk & Bidʿah:
“Mosques are for Allah; do not call on anyone besides Him.”
[Surah al-Jinn: 18]– Promoting saints, shrines, non-Islamic chants, or shirk-based poetry is strictly forbidden.
② Announcing lost items
③ Buying & selling
❀ The Prophet ﷺ forbade both inside the mosque.
Reference: Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 1079 – Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī: 322 – Ḥasan
④ Idle or worldly conversation
⑤ Carrying harmful objects
❀ The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever carries a sharp object in the mosque should hold it carefully, lest he harm someone.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 452 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2615
⑥ Interlocking fingers (tashbīk) unnecessarily is prohibited.
Reference: Musnad Aḥmad: 18115 – Ḥasan
Allowed when needed or during handshaking.
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 481, 482
⑦ Spitting in the mosque is sinful.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Spitting in the mosque is a sin, and its expiation is to bury it (or clean it).”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 415 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 552
❖ Permissible Acts in the Mosque
✔ Sleeping in the mosque is allowed when needed.
❀ ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما said:
“I used to sleep in the mosque of the Prophet ﷺ while I was a young, unmarried man.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 440 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2479
✔ Women may sleep if necessary, like the black woman who accepted Islam and was given a tent in the mosque.
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 3835
✔ Poetry (ḥamd, naʿt, jihād-related nasheeds) is permissible as long as it is not un-Islamic.
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 3212 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2485
✔ Only religious activities such as dhikr, salāh, and Qur’ān teaching should take place in mosques.
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 661, 569
❖ Etiquettes of Sitting in the Mosque
① Do not reserve a fixed spot like a camel claims its place.
Reference: Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 862 – al-Nasā’ī: 1113
② Offer two rakʿāt (Tahiyyat al-Masjid) before sitting.
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 444 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 714
③ Observe these majlis etiquettes:
➊ Greet people with salām.
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 6254 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1798
➋ Do not step over people’s shoulders.
Reference: Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 1118 – al-Nasā’ī: 1400
➌ Do not sit between two people without their permission.
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 910
➍ Do not make someone get up from their place.
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 911 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2177
➎ If you stood up for a reason, you have more right to return to your place.
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2179
➏ Avoid anything that causes discomfort to others.
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 10 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 40
➐ Refrain from loud conversations.
ʿUmar رضي الله عنه rebuked two men from Ṭā’if for raising their voices in the Prophet’s mosque.
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 470
➑ Engage in dhikr, duʿā, Qur’ān recitation, and sending salāh on the Prophet ﷺ.
➒ During Friday khutbah, if sleepy, change your sitting place.
Reference: Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī: 526
➓ Conclude every gathering with the Kaffārat al-Majlis Duʿā:
سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ...
“Glory is to You, O Allah, and praise; I bear witness there is no deity but You; I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance.”
Reference: Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī: 3433 – Authentic
❖ Places Where Prayer is Prohibited
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The entire earth has been made a mosque and pure for me, so wherever one of my followers finds prayer time, let him pray.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 438 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 521
But exceptions include:
① Rooms with images/statues of living beings.
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 434 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 528
② Toilets, bathrooms, and graveyards
“The earth is a mosque except for the bathroom and graveyard.”
Reference: Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī: 317
③ Trash dumps or impure areas
④ Camel enclosures – Permissible in sheep/goat pens, prohibited in camel enclosures.
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 360
⑤ Facing a grave while praying is prohibited.
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 972/98
➤ Thus, mosques containing graves should be avoided.
⑥ Sites of Divine punishment – such as Bābil.
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 433
❖ Places Where Prayer Is Permissible (Despite Misconceptions)
✔ On multiple mats or carpets – even five stacked.
Reference: Tārīkh al-Kabīr (al-Bukhārī): 669
✔ On beds (if clean)
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 383 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 512
✔ On wooden platforms or elevated surfaces
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 377 – Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 597-598
