Sustaining the Masjid, Nurturing Imaan: The Believer’s Duty

By Shaykh Abdul Qayum | 08 Mar 2024

In this week’s Khutbah, my heart was filled with immense joy and gratitude as I reflected upon the momentous occasion of the temporary opening of the Phase 3 Prayer Hall expansion at our beloved East London Mosque. This achievement, made possible through the immense generosity and sacrifice of our community, serves as a powerful reminder of the centrality of the masjid in the lives of believers. 

Allah the Most High reminds us in the Holy Qur’an,

The mosques of Allah are only to be maintained by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day...

(Qur’an 9:18)

This verse underscores the deep connection between faith and the upkeep of our masjids. It is a sign of our Imaan that we dedicate ourselves to building, maintaining, and frequenting the masjid.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him) further emphasised this point, saying, 

If you see someone regularly going to the masjid, testify to his faith.

(Tirmidhi)

Our commitment to the masjid, whether through prayer, learning, or service, is a direct reflection of our commitment to Allah.

As we celebrate the expansion of our prayer spaces, let us also renew our intentions to support and sustain this sacred institution. The masjid is not merely a building; it is the heart of our community, a source of guidance, and a means of drawing closer to our Creator. May Allah accept our efforts and allow us to reap the rewards of supporting His house.

I want to repeat my request to the congregation and say that brothers and sisters, it is important to acknowledge that the completion of the Phase 3 expansion was made possible not only through the generous donations of our community but also through Qard Hasanah (borrowed funds). As we enjoy the blessings of this expanded space, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that the masjid is able to repay these loans in a timely manner. 

I urge each and every one of you to contribute what you can towards this noble cause. Whether it be through one-time donations or ongoing pledges, every contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to fulfilling our financial obligations and securing the long-term stability of our beloved masjid. Let us unite in this effort, seeking Allah’s pleasure and the reward of supporting His house.

Reflecting on the second nimah (blessing), I reminded the congregation of the month of Ramadan that is almost upon us. It is crucial that we prepare ourselves spiritually and mentally to make the most of this unique opportunity. Ramadan is a time of heightened devotion, a chance to increase our good deeds and seek Allah’s forgiveness and mercy.

Fasting, the cornerstone of Ramadan, is not merely a physical act but a means of attaining taqwa (God-consciousness). As Allah states, 

O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was for those before you, so perhaps you will become mindful [of Allah].

(Qur’an 2:183)

To truly benefit from fasting, we must strive to abandon all sinful actions and purify our hearts.

Beyond fasting, Ramadan is also a time to increase our voluntary prayers, particularly the Taraweeh prayers at night. The Prophet ﷺ said, 

Whoever prays at night during Ramadan out of sincere faith and seeking its reward from Allah, will have all of his previous sins forgiven.

(Bukhari)

Let us seize this opportunity to seek Allah’s forgiveness and draw closer to Him through our prayers.

Ramadan is also the month of the Qur’an, a time to deepen our connection with Allah’s revelation. We should strive to recite and reflect upon the Qur’an daily, allowing its wisdom to guide and transform us. Additionally, Ramadan is an occasion to increase our charity and generosity, following in the footsteps of our beloved Prophet ﷺ who was the most generous of people, especially during this blessed month.

As we prepare for Ramadan, let us also be mindful of our time and how we spend it. We should seek to minimise distractions and idle pursuits, instead focusing on our relationship with Allah and His Book. May Allah allow us to make the most of this blessed month and emerge from it as better, more devoted servants.

Let us express our gratitude to Allah the Most High for the blessings of the masjid and the coming of Ramadan. May He accept our worship, forgive our sins, and grant us the highest levels of Paradise. Ameen.

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