The Masjid

Salams
I thought I would dedicate this post to the subject of the Masjid, its virtues and status in the eyes of a Muslim.

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (R.A.) narrates that he heard Rasulullah (صلي الله عليه و سلم) say:
"Allah Ta'ala will grant His Shade to seven (types) of persons on the day when their will be no shade besides His Shade. (Among the seven) one is a man whose heart is attached to the Masjid." [Bukhari, Muslim]

Hadhrat Abu Darda (R.A.) narrates that Rasulullah (صلي الله عليه و سلم ) said:
“Whoever walks to the Masjid in the darkness of the night, will meet Allah with Noor on the Day of Qiyaamah.” [Tibraani]

Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (R.A.) narrates that Rasulullah (صلي الله عليه و سلم ) said:
“For every step taken by one who proceeds to the Masjid for Jamaat Salaat, a sin (which he had already committed) is wiped out and a good deed is recorded. This happens in going to as well as in returning from the Masjid.”
The thawaab for proceeding to and even returning from the Masjid is indeed colossal. There is no limit to Allah’s mercy. Subhanallah, Allah rewards us for merely taking a step towards the Masjid, and then we are rewarded again for the performance of our prayer in the Masjid with congregation. Also, if after entering the Masjid one makes the intention of Naf’l I’tikaaf then for the duration of salaah, dhikr, ibaadah and listening to a talk you can also receive the reward of I’tikaaf for that duration of time.

Hadhrat Abu Umaamah (R.A.) narrates that Rasulullah (صلي الله عليه و سلم ) said:
“Whoever proceeds to the Masjid having only the intention of learning or teaching some goodness (something of the Deen), will receive the reward of a perfect Hajj." [Tibraani]

Hadhrat Anas (R.A.) narrates that Rasulullah (صلي الله عليه و سلم ) said:
“Refrain from these foul-smelling (vegetables) before coming to our Masaajid. If you wish to eat these, then eliminate the bad odour with fire. (i.e. by means of cooking).” [Tibraani]
This hadith prohibits the eating of raw garlic, onions and the like before coming to the Masjid. Other ahadith specifically mention garlic and onions.

Hadhrat Abu Saeed Khudri (R.A.) narrates that Rasulullah (صلي الله عليه و سلم ) said:
“Whoever removes from the Masjid any offensive item, Allah Ta’ala will in return erect for him a palace in Jannat.” [Ibn Majah]
Since Masaajid are places of sanctity, nothing impure should be taken in. Impure garments and people in the state of impurity should not enter the Masaajid.

Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Mas'ood (R.A.) narrates that Rasulullah (صلي الله عليه و سلم ) said:
“Soon will there be such people who will indulge in (worldly) conversation inside the Masjid. Allah cares not for them.” [Ibn Habbaan]

This hadith refers to the prohibition of worldly talk inside the Masjid. It mentions the displeasure of Allah Ta’ala. Such people are deprived of His Mercy and instead invite Allah’s Wrath. Before or after salah one should not simply hang around chit chatting casually about this and that, if we won’t engage in ibaadah or dhikr we should leave the Masjid and save the conversation for another place in order to secure ourselves from displeasing Almighty Allah.

May Allah accept our acts of walking to/from the Masaajid, accept whatever good we perform in them manifold and attach our hearts to the Masjid, ameen.

adapted from Hayatul Muslimeen