This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Hafiz Mubashir Hussain Lahori's book Signs of the Day of Judgment in the Light of Authentic Hadith.
Sign of the Day of Judgment: Mosques will be adorned and decorated with pride and boasting
عن أنس رضى الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: لا تقوم الساعة حتى يتباهى الناس فى المساجد
It is narrated from Hazrat Anas bin Malik (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "The Day of Judgment will not come until people boast and show off in the mosques."
Reference: Ahmad (170/3 - 183 - 290 - 309) Abu Dawood (449) Ibn Majah (724) Tirmidhi (1408) Ibn Khuzaymah (322) Ibn Hibban (1614) Sharh al-Sunnah (113/2) Sahih al-Jami’ (174/6)
In one narration, it is mentioned that one of the signs of the Day of Judgment is that people will decorate the mosques.
Reference: Ibn Khuzaymah (1322) Sharh al-Sunnah (466) Nasai (690) Sahih al-Jami’ al-Saghir (213/5)
عن أبى الدرداء رضى الله عنه قال: إذا زوقتم مساجدكم وحليتم مصاحفكم فالدمار عليكم
It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Darda (RA) that he said: "When you start decorating the mosques and adorning the Quran, then your destruction is near."
Reference: Sahih al-Jami’ (220/1) Al-Zuhd by Ibn al-Mubarak (797) Al-Silsilah al-Sahihah (337/3) and Hukm bil Marfoo’ Sharh al-Sunnah (250/1)
Also, when Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA) rebuilt a mosque, he said to the builder: "Do not use red or yellow (lime plaster), lest people fall into fitnah."
Reference: Bukhari: Book of Prayer: Chapter on Building Mosques
Benefits:
(1) Decorating mosques is a sign of the Day of Judgment.
(2) Boasting about one’s worldly achievements inside mosques is also included in this.
(3) This sign has been ongoing for a long time and is gradually intensifying. Hafiz Ibn Kathir states that "Abdul Malik bin Marwan (11 AH), during his caliphate, decorated Bayt al-Maqdis with gold and silver to such an extent that people began to prefer it over the Two Holy Mosques, and its effects have not ceased until our time."
Reference: Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah (383/8)
(4) Expanding the mosque as needed, providing necessary facilities, and keeping carpets and other items clean and pure is not only permissible but necessary because the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Build mosques in the neighborhoods and keep them clean."
Reference: Abu Dawood: Book of Prayer: Chapter on Taking Mosques in Houses (51) Tirmidhi (594) Ahmad
(5) Hanging lanterns unnecessarily in mosques, lighting candles, putting up flags, and similar purposeless acts are among the signs of the Day of Judgment.
(6) Disobedient people will certainly do these acts, as is evident from common observation, but efforts should be made that we do not become part of the list of these disobedient ones.
(7) Unnecessary decoration of mosques is the practice of Jews and Christians, whose opposition is obligatory upon Muslims.
(8) Observing the etiquette of the mosque, making noise, conducting business, talking about worldly matters, or announcing lost items is also not correct.
