Ruling on Praying in Adorned Mosques and on Decorated Prayer Mats

Author: Sheikh Mubashar Ahmad Rabbani (Hafidhahullah)

Question:​

What is the ruling on adorning mosques? Additionally, what is the status of praying in such mosques or on decorated prayer mats?

Answer:​

The primary purpose of mosques is to conduct the remembrance of Allah, the recitation of the Qur'an, and to perform acts of worship such as prayer. This is the true essence of the mosque's purpose. However, in modern times, excessive attention is given to architectural adornments, decorations, and intricate designs in the construction of mosques, while the focus on worship has decreased. The number of worshippers is declining, yet significant resources are being allocated to embellishing mosques. This situation is considered a sign of the Day of Judgment. It is narrated from Hazrat Anas (رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

"لَا تَقُوْمُ السَّاعَةُ حَتّٰي يَتَبَاهَي النَّاسُ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ"

"The Hour will not be established until people take pride in their mosques."

[Sources: Abu Dawood, Nasa'i, Ibn Majah, Sharh Al-Sunnah, Ibn Hibban, Al-Darimi, Abu Ya'la, Ahmad, Al-Tabarani]
Additionally, it is reported in Ibn Khuzaymah, Abu Ya'la, and Sharh Al-Sunnah:

"يَأْتِيْ عَلٰي اُمَّتِيْ زَمَانٌ يَتَبَاهَوْنَ بِالْمَسَاجِدِ ثُمَّ لَا يَعْمُرُوْنَهَا اِلَّا قَلِيْلًا"

"A time will come upon my Ummah when they will take pride in the mosques, but only a few will frequent them."

Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) narrated:

"لَتُزَخْرِفُنَّهَا كَمَا زَخْرَفَتِ الْيَهُوْدُ وَالنَّصَارٰي"

"You will certainly adorn the mosques just as the Jews and Christians adorned theirs."

[Sources: Sabil Al-Salam, Fath Al-Alam]

In contemporary times, mosques have become so ornamented that the worshipper's concentration (khushu' and khudu') is affected, leading to distraction during prayer. It is recommended that the walls, niches, and prayer mats of mosques remain simple, as the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) once had a curtain removed from the wall because it distracted him during prayer. It is narrated by Hazrat Anas (رضي الله عنه):

"كَانَ قِرَامٌ لِعَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهَا سَتَرَتْ بِهِ جَانِبَ بَيْتِهَا فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّي اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَمِيطِي عَنَّا قِرَامَكِ هَذَا فَإِنَّهُ لَا تَزَالُ تَصَاوِيرُهُ تَعْرِضُ فِي صَلَاتِي"

"Aisha (رضي الله عنها) had a curtain with pictures that she had placed on a wall in her house. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Remove this curtain, for its images keep distracting me during my prayer.'"

Commentary of Scholars:​

Allama Muhammad bin Ismail Al-Amir Al-Yemeni (رحمه الله) states:

"فِي الْحَدِيْثِ دَلَالَةٌ عَلٰي اِزَالَةِ مَا يُشَوِّشُ عَلَي الْمُصَلِّيْ صَلَاتَهُ مِمَّا فِيْ مَنْزِلِهِ اَوْ فِيْ مَحَلِّ صَلَاتِهِ"

"This Hadith indicates that anything that distracts a worshipper during prayer should be removed, whether it is in their home or in the place of prayer."
[Sources: Sabil Al-Salam, Fath Al-Alam]

Similarly, Nawab Siddiq Hasan Khan (رحمه الله) has mentioned similar thoughts in Misk Al-Khitam.

Practical Example:​

It is narrated by Hazrat Aisha (رضي الله عنها):

"The Prophet (ﷺ) prayed in a woolen cloak with patterns. He glanced at its designs, and after concluding the prayer, he said, 'Take this cloak to Abu Jahm and bring me a plain one, for its patterns distracted me during my prayer.'"

[Sources: Bukhari, Muslim]

In another narration, he (ﷺ) said:

"I was looking at its patterns while in prayer, and I feared it might distract me."

Explanation by Imam Nawawi (رحمه الله):​

Imam Nawawi (رحمه الله) comments:

"فَفِيهِ الْحَثُّ عَلٰي حُضُوْرِ الْقَلْبِ فِي الصَّلَاةِ وَتَدَبُّرِ مَا ذَكَرْنَاهَا وَمَنْعِ النَّظْرِ مِنَ الْاِمْتِدَادِ اِلٰي مَا يُشْغِلُ وَإِزَالَةُ مَا يُخَافُ اِشْتِغَالُ الْقَلْبِ بِهِ"

"This Hadith encourages having presence of mind in prayer, contemplating on the acts of worship, and avoiding anything that may distract attention. It also suggests the removal of anything that might cause distraction, like adorning the mosque's mihrab, walls, and other distractions."

[Source: Sharh Muslim]

Conclusion:​

These authentic Hadiths and explanations from the commentators indicate that decorating mosque walls, niches, and using ornate items like glasswork or decorated prayer mats is disliked if they distract worshippers from their prayer. Such distractions diminish the worshipper's focus, humility, and devotion. However, performing prayer in such a setting does not invalidate the prayer, as the Prophet (ﷺ) did not repeat his prayer or invalidate it due to distractions. This demonstrates that the prayer remains valid, but concentration is affected. Therefore, it is better to avoid using decorated prayer mats or building decorated niches in mosques, as these can divert attention during prayer.
 
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