By Shaykh Abdul Qayum | 30 Aug 2024

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In our fast-paced lives, we often overlook a crucial aspect of our faith: the etiquette of visiting the mosque. It’s a topic that, despite its importance, rarely receives the attention it deserves. Today, I felt it necessary to shed light on this often-ignored subject, reminding us all of the proper decorum required when entering and spending time in the House of Allah. I hope my words today serve as a gentle reminder of our duties.

The mosque holds a special place in all our hearts. It’s not just a building, is it? It’s a sanctuary where we connect with our Creator and find peace from the chaos of daily life. When a believer enters the masjid, they should feel a sense of peace and comfort. The mosque should not be a place of discomfort. Rather, it should feel like a spiritual home – a place where everyone feels comfortable, welcomed, and at peace, where we can freely stay and worship.

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ highlighted the significance of the mosque in a beautiful Hadith: 

Seven categories of people will be sheltered under the shade of Allah on the Day when there will be no shade except His.

Among the seven categories of people is the person whose heart is attached to the mosque. Isn’t that a beautiful thought? This attachment isn’t just about physically being here; it’s about our hearts yearning to return to the House of Allah.

And the rewards, my dear brothers and sisters, are immense. The Prophet ﷺ said,

If anyone goes back and forth to the mosque to attend the prayers, Allah will prepare for him a feast in Paradise as often as he goes back and forth.

Can you imagine? A banquet in Jannah for each visit to the mosque. SubhanAllah, what an incentive to make the mosque the centre of our lives!

Our attachment to the mosque shouldn’t lead us to complacency. With these great rewards come responsibilities. I know we’ve all experienced moments of discomfort during prayer and our visits to the mosque. We’ve all been in situations where someone praying beside us may have a strong odour, perhaps due to what they’ve eaten or their work environment. It’s a delicate matter that we need to be mindful of. We don’t want to be a barrier for others seeking to connect with Allah.

We must be mindful and ensure we’re not a source of distraction or discomfort. Our actions and our physical state, when we enter the mosque, can greatly impact those around us, potentially affecting their worship and concentration. It’s our collective responsibility to create an environment conducive to peaceful and focused worship for everyone in the mosque.

Remember the hadith where the Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever has eaten garlic or onion, let him stay away from us and our mosque.” This principle extends to any strong odours that might disturb others. It’s about consideration and creating a pleasant atmosphere for everyone.

Another point of etiquette is to avoid rushing to join the Salah. I’ve observed some people hurrying to catch the congregation and, even worse, reserving prayer spots in advance. Let’s remember the Prophet’s ﷺ advice: 

When you hear the iqamah, proceed to offer the prayer with calmness and solemnity and do not make haste. And pray whatever you are able to pray and complete whatever you have missed.

There’s wisdom in this calmness.

And while we’re here, let’s use our time wisely. Instead of idle chatter, why not engage in dhikr, du‘a, or reciting the Qur’an quietly? The Prophet ﷺ once cautioned against raising voices in Qur’an recitation within the mosque. It’s about creating an atmosphere of tranquillity and respect. If the Messenger ﷺ cautioned against reading the Qur’an too loud, what about speaking loudly inside the House of Allah?

My dear brothers and sisters, these might seem like small things, but they contribute so much to the quality of our mosque and our experience in the mosque. By following these etiquettes, we’re not just enhancing our own worship; we’re creating a more pleasant experience for everyone.

Let’s remember that our behaviour in the mosque reflects our reverence for Allah and respect for each other. It’s about creating a space where everyone feels welcome and at peace.

I pray that Allah grants us the wisdom and mindfulness to uphold the sanctity of His House. May He reward us abundantly for our efforts to frequent the mosques with proper conduct. And may our mosques truly become beacons of peace, unity, and spiritual growth within us and in our community.

Ameen.

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