Allah (SWT) states, "In houses (masajid) which Allah has ordered to be raised and in them His name shall be remembered; therein do offer praise to Him in the mornings and evenings, men whom neither trade nor sale diverts from the remembrance of Allah, or from performing prayers, nor from giving alms. They fear a Day when hearts and eyes will be overturned- and that Allah may reward them with the best of what they did, and increase reward for them out of His bounty. And God provides without measure to whom He wills."(36-38)

Mosques are the houses of Allah on earth. They are where He is remembered, glorified, and praised most. If one claims to truly love Allah, he should love to visit His houses. When a guest enters the home of a generous friend, he is met with kindness and bounty. How then will be the provision and bounty provided when one enters the house of the Most Generous?

The greatest provision Allah offers those who visit His houses is experiencing the sweetness of communicating with Him and being granted the ability to witness faith. Prophet Muhammad (S) was reported to have said, "When you see a person coming to the masjid frequently, bear witness to his faith, for Allah says: `Only who affirms his faith in God and the Last Day, can maintain the masajid of Allah." (Tirmidhi) On the authority of Abu Huraira, Prophet Muhammad (S) said, "Whosoever sets out for the masjid, by either day or night, Allah prepares for him a dwelling in Paradise for every journey undertaken." (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)

My brothers and sisters, you must know that there are certain etiquettes regarding the masjid which must be observed by all. One of these etiquettes is maintaining cleanliness in and out of the masjid, perfuming oneself and wearing nice clothes. Allah (SWT) says, "O Children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer." (7:31) One should avoid eating food which causes an undesirable smell such as onion, leek or garlic before going to the masjid as the Prophet (S) said, " He who has eaten onion or garlic or leek should not approach us or 'not approach our masjid'..." (Agreed upon) Unfortunately, this is becoming a point of neglect by many people, especially after partaking in social gatherings in the masjid and maintaining its cleanliness afterwards. The Prophet (S) said, "Spitting in the mosque is a sin and its expiation is to bury it (i.e. to remove it from the mosque)." The Prophet (S) passed by a grave and asked his companions about it. His companions replied it is the grave of Umm Muhjan. The Prophet (S) rebuked them because they did not inform him of her death and then prayed the funeral prayer over her. He then said: 'Why did you not inform me?' They replied- you were sleeping and we did not like to wake you'. The Prophet prayed for her and had great respect for her as she used to spend her efforts in cleaning the house of Allah and the Prophet's masjid." (Related by Muslim)

One should recite a special supplication when setting out towards the masjid. The Prophet (S) used to say, " O Allah, place within my heart light, and upon my tongue light, and within my ears light, and within my eyes light, and place behind me light and in front of me light and above me light and beneath me light. O Allah, bestow upon me light." (Related by Muslim) One should also be quiet and respectful when approaching the masjid. The Prophet (S) said: "If you hear the Iqamah, come to the prayer with calmness and dignity and do not make haste for the prayer, and pray whatever you get (with the people) and complete the rest which you have missed." (Agreed upon) One should enter the masjid with the right foot and recite the supplication, "In the name of Allah. O Allah, bestow Your peace and blessings on Mohammed and his family. O Allah, pardon my sins and open the gates of Your mercy for me." (Muslim) One should pray two raka'h after entering the masjid as recommended by Prophet Muhammad (S). One should not leave the masjid once the call for prayer has been made, unless there is a need. The Prophet (S) said, "When you are in the masjid and the call to prayer is made, one should not leave until he has prayed the prayer." (Ahmad)

My brothers and sisters, we should remember Allah as much as we can when we are in the masjid and refrain from discussing worldly matters. The Prophet (S) said, "The masjid is made for the remembrance of Allah, for prayer and for recitation of the Qur'an" (Agreed upon) We should also refrain from raising our voices or causing disruption. When a Muslim enters the masjid, he or she should do so with tranquility.

These are just a few etiquettes of the masjid. We must observe the rights of the masjid to feel that this is truly a place of prayer. The masjid is the house of Allah and we should remember that as guests, we must behave like guests just as the Prophet (S) has taught us.

Sh. Jamal Said