Longevity of The Masjid

As Salaam Alaikum,

"The mosques of Allah shall be visited and maintained by such as believe in Allah and the Last Day, establish regular prayers, and practice regular charity, and fear none (at all) except Allah. It is they who are expected to be on true guidance." Qur’an 9:18.

The above verse has been translated as “Visited and Maintained,” however the word that is being translated has come to mean “life with long age.” We may also translate it as “longevity.” That is the believers are to give longevity to the Masjid.

The believers are considered residents and visitors in our language. Those who frequent a particular Masjid are called its residents. Those who may be traveling or attending a Masjid once in a while are called its visitors. Contrary to what some Muslims contend, disbelievers, Christian, Jews, etc…, may also visit the Masjid. However, this group is not to attend the Masjid so frequently that they exceed the number of believers and thus become residents and custodians.

We may find in some of the Catholic schools the attendees are not Catholic and in some cases the non-Catholics may outnumber the Catholics. G-d is informing us as to not let this happen with the Masajid.

The residents (believers) are the custodians of the Masjid. The visitors are not the custodians. For example, we all are members of the first House. It is a House built for all of humanity. Some of us visit the House, and others are called its custodians. The custodians have the responsibility of the upkeep of the House. We are to follow the rules of hospitality established by the custodians. As visitors we do not come into a Masjid and demand rights of a custodian. The same applies for our individual homes, the man of the house is the Imam and him, his wife and family members are its custodians. You cannot come into another man’s house and demand the rights of the custodians of the house even if you are the Imam in the Community.

When a visitor comes to the house we have a beautiful greeting, “Ahlan wa Sahlan.” That is be as my family and I am going to do as much as I can to make the way easy for you. In our excellent southern hospitality we say, “Come in take your shoes off and make yourself at home.” However, whatever you see while visiting my house does not concern you, so don’t go out of my house and tell others what you have seen. I just want to make it easy for you while you are here.

When we are travelers or visitors of a Masjid, we do not have the right to be the Imam if a resident Imam is present. A resident Imam is one who frequents that particular Masjid and is known for leading the prayers in that Masjid. Even if the visitors exceed the number of residents, the resident Imam is to lead the prayers and the visitors are to follow him in the prayer. In this case the prayer is not shorten for the visitors. If a visiting Imam leads the prayer of those that are visiting then the prayer may be shortened. In the process of traveling the thuhr and asr prayers may be combined and the magrib and isha prayers may be combined. However, once you have reached your destination the prayers should be offered in their appointed times, respectively.

It is not the bricks and mortar that gives a place its life, but those who frequent it. Thereby let the believers frequent the Houses of worship thus giving it its longevity. Let us do more to build Houses based on the principle of the first House, for the worship of G-d, G-d alone.

Thank you for taking the time to read this note.

Salim MuMin
M.A.L.I., Director
muslimamericanlogic.com