World – Through the mercy of Allah (SWT) we were able to experience the blessed month of Ramadan. The month of Ramadan will always be a month in which man is easily able to follow the laws of Allah (SWT). Now that Ramadan has left us, we have to make an effort to ensure our salaah (prayer) does not leave us as well.
During the month of Ramadan we find the Masaajid full for every salaah. There is a different ambience in the Masjid. We find women rush to do their work so they can perform their salaah on time. However, when the month leaves, the same man who closed his shop doors for every salaah suddenly can’t do it now. The same man that woke up for Fajr for 30 days finds it difficult to do so. The once filled Masjids suddenly become empty again.
Becoming attached to the Masjids
Abu Huraira (RA) narrates that Nabi (ﷺ) said one of the seven people who will be given shade under the throne of Allah (SWT) on the Day of Judgement is a man whose heart is attached to the mosques. (Sahih al-Bukhari 660)
In Ramadan it is easy for us to become attached to the Masjids. The problem is after Ramadan this attachment starts to slowly or rapidly disintegrate. The easiest way to create this attachment is to understand the virtues of Masjids, explained Mufti Hamza Farooqi, Fatwa Department Jamiatul Ulama KZN.
“If a person listens to these kinds of virtues, he knows these kinds of virtues then he will one to attend the Masjid. If you tell a person that if you come to my shop you will get a 50% discount on an item, you will find people rushing to go there so they can get that particular discount. In the same way, the virtues that are attached to the Masjids and going for salaah, once we bring these into lives then we will understand and this connection will come into our hearts.”
Salman Al-Farisi (RA) narrates: The Prophet (ﷺ), said, “Whoever performs ablution well in his home and thereafter comes to the mosque, he is the guest of Allah and it is a duty upon the host to honour his guest.” (al-Mu’jam al-Kabīr 6010)
The virtues of the Masjid and going for salaah
Our purpose on this earth is to worship Allah (SWT) and gain His (SWT) happiness. This happiness and closeness that we seek can be found in the Masjid. In order to create that attachment, Mufti Farooqi mentioned a few Hadith (sayings of the Prophet (ﷺ)) which are as follows;
Abu Huraira (RA) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “The most beloved of places to Allah are the mosques, and the most hated of places to Allah are the markets.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 671)
Abu Huraira (RA) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: “The reward of a prayer performed in congregation is twenty five times greater than that of a prayer performed by anyone of you alone.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Buraidah (RAW) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Convey glad tidings to those who walk to the mosque in the darkness. For they will be given full light on the Day of Resurrection.” (At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud)
Abu Umamah (RA0 reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Whoever leaves for the mosque in the morning, for no reason but to learn goodness or teach others, he will have a reward as if he has completed the Hajj pilgrimage.” ( al-Mu’jam al-Kabīr 7346)
Everyone yearns to go for Hajj but it is not something that everyone can do. However, as Mufti Farroqi explained, by simply going to the Masjid in a state of wudu, with the sole intention of performing good, we will get the reward of completing Hajj.
There are many more virtues of the Masjid and salaah but it is clear how important it is to keep ourselves attached to the Masjid. To attain the happiness of Allah (SWT) and Paradise, it is vital for one to make the Masjid their home.
To hear more from Mufti Hamza Farooqi on the virtues of the Masjid and how to attach oneself to it, listen to the podcast here:
