THE IMPORTANCE OF MOSQUE IN AN ISLAMIC SOCIETY.

All praises are due to Allah who made the mosques His houses in the world where His remembrance and praises are celebrated days and nights and abode of association for believers. Allah says: “In mosques which Allah has ordered to be raised and that His name be mentioned therein; exalting Him within them in the morning and the evenings” (24: 36). I testify there is no god worthy of worship but Allah to whom all faces and voices surrender to. I testify that Muhammad (pbuh) is the servant and apostle of Allah- Muhammad who said: “When sees a man who frequent the mosque, testify to his faith.” (Al-bayhaqi). May Allah bestow peace and blessings on him (pbuh), his families, his companions and those after them in righteousness till the day of judgement. Thereafter, O Servants of Allah, I enjoin you to fear Allah. Piety is the sign of faith which also safes from fire. Allah says: يآأيُّهَا الَّذينَ ءَامَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِه وَلاَ تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ"(آل عمران:102) “O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him].”(3: 102) Dear brothers and sisters in faith this is the second meet in the discussion of the foundations of a new society which was discussed briefly. Today’s sermon will concentrate on the importance of the mosque in the Muslim community. Linguistically the word Masjid- meaning mosque is derived from the verb, Sajadah- that is, to prostrate by placing the forehead on the ground, i.e- a place on which one prostrates,- the house of worship for Muslims. The sacred mosque refers to the Ka’bah. Technically, it refers to every part of the earth surface according to the saying of the Prophet - peace be upon him - "The earth surface was made for me as a mosque and an object of purification. Whoever of my Ummah is comeby by the solat should observe it.” This is one of the characteristics of the nation of Islam. Qadi ‘Iyaadh said: “This is because the people before us did not observe prayers except at places they were certain of its purity, we (Muslims) were granted permission toobserve prayers on all land except where is forbidden.” Qurtubi said: “This is a preference of God for the Prophet (pbuh), Prophets before him were only permitted to pray at places specified such as the synagogues and churches.” Masjid- is the name of a place which is derived from the action of prostrating because prostration is the most honourable action of solat where the servant is closest to his Lord. This is clearly established because the name of the place was not derived from any of the other actions of solat e.g bowing. The Building of Mosque: Immediately the Prophet got to the city of madinah, the first task he embarked upon was the building of a mosque. This is the first and most important foundation in the establishment of the Islamic society. The Prophet set up the Quba mosque described in the Qur’an thus: "لَّمَسْجِدٌ أسِّسَ عَلَى التَّقْوَى مِنْ أَوَّلِ يَوْمٍ أَحَقُّ أَن تَقُومَ فِيهِ, فيهِ رِجَالٌ يُحِبُّونَ أَن يَتَطَهَّرُوا, وَاللَّه يُحِبُّ الْمُطَّهِّرِين* (التَّوبة:108) “A mosque founded on righteousness from the first day is more worthy for you to stand in. Within it are men who love to purify themselves; and Allah loves those who purify themselves.” (9:108) The Mosque: a basic necessity for the Muslim Ummah: Dear beloved in Allah , the need of the Muslim Ummah to the mosque follows her need to pristine faith, noble ideals, values and ethics, and a commitment to the Sharia and its provisions and their steadfastness of true servitude to Allah- the Exalted and all of these cannot be done away from the mosque. The need of the Muslim Ummah to the mosque is no less importance to the need to Islam itself. The Muslim community acquires the character of firmness and cohesion by standing by the Islamic principles, and by the commitment to her faith and etiquettes, all those are developed within the spirit of the mosque and its revelation. Brothers in faith, surely the establishment of brotherhood and love among the Muslims are part of the principles of Islam. But these values can only be perfected in the mosques. Muslims meet daily at different periods of not less than five times in the house of God, leading to displacement of the barriers of prestige, wealth and opinions. The Islamic system and the teachings spread the spirit of equality and justice among Muslims in their various affairs and conditions. However, the realization of this atmosphere cannot be perfected unless Muslims come together daily before Allah in devotion. If a Muslim retires to his house to worship Allah by bowing and prostrating, without fulfilling the concept of partnering together in worship – daily congregational prayers and Friday congregational prayers- the essence is jeopardized, as the full meaning of justice and equality is that the society overcome the traits of pride, superiority and selfishness, and this can only be achieved under the mosque setting. The beginning of mosque in the world: Servants of Allah, when our Father, Adam - peace be upon him - and his wife, our mother Hawaa descended from paradise to earth, the first thing he did was lay the foundations for the building of the Grand Mosque in Mecca. Returning to Islamic history, we find that the first act the Prophet - peace be upon him – did after migrating from Mecca to Medina was the building of the mosque. Importance of mosques in the Muslim community: 1. The mosques are the houses of Allah on earth. Due to its status and virtues Allah made mention of it in twenty-eight (28) verses of the holy Qur’an, and He attached it to himself as a sign of honour: " وأَنَّ الْمَسَاجِدَ للَّه فَلاَ تَدْعُوا مَعَ اللَّهِ أَحَداً". " And [He revealed] that the masjids are for Allah, so do not invoke with Allah anyone." 2 . Allah (swt) enjoin towards its construction and maintenance. He equally describes people who are committed to its custody as believers in Allah and the Last Day. Allah says: " إِنَّمَا يَعْمُرُ مَسَاجِدَ اللَّهِ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّه والْيوْمِ الآخِرَ" (التَّوبة:18) “The mosques of Allah are only to be maintained by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day." ( 10: 18) . 3 . The mosques are places of worship, remembrance of Allah, supplication and submission to Allah. They are also the places to celebrate praises of Allah, offer prayer and show humility before Allah- the Exalted, and seeking great rewards, observing Tahajjud, recitating the Qur’an and reflecting on its meaning. 4 . Allah describes suspending the mosque, and to prevent people from gaining access to it as an act of injustice. Allah says: " وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنْ مَنَعَ مَسَاجِدَ اللَّهِ أَنْ يُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ وَسَعَى فِي خَرَابِهَا أُولَئِك مَا كَانَ لَهُمْ أَنْ يَدْخُلُوهَا إِلَّا خَائِفين , لهُمْ في الدُّنْيَا خِزْيٌ وَلَهُمْ فِي الآخِرةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ" (البقرة:114). "And who are more unjust than those who prevent the name of Allah from being mentioned in His mosques and strive toward their destruction. It is not for them to enter them except in fear. For them in this world is disgrace, and they will have in the Hereafter a great punishment." (2 : 114 ). 5 . To defend and protect the mosque is a basic requirement which fighting could be called for in its cause. Allah says: "وَلَوْلَا دَفْعُ اللَّهِ النَّاسَ بَعْضَهُمْ بِبَعْضٍ لَهُدِّمَتْ صَوَامِعُ وَبِيَعٌ وَصَلَوَاتٌ وَمَسَاجِدُ يُذْكَرُ فِيهَا اسْمُ اللَّهِ كَثِيرًا وَلَيَنْصُرَنَّ اللَّهُ مَنْ يَنْصُرُهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزِيز" (الحج:40) "And were it not that Allah checks the people, some by means of others, there would have been demolished monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which the name of Allah is much mentioned. And Allah will surely support those who support Him. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might." (22:40). Qurtubiy said: “meaning, were it not the permission of Allah to the prophets and the believers for fighting the enemies, the people of shirk would have dominated and disrupted the properties of people of religions including the places of worship, but He protected it by enjoining fighting in order to permit devotion to worship. 6 . The mosques is the most beloved place by Allah- the Exalted. A fortress of faith and the starting point of proclamation of Tawheed- oneness of Allah- the Exalted. 7. The mosque is an institution of intellectualism, science, and societal related affairs. It produced great professors for humanity in the field of traditional and modern knowledge about a thousand year including scholars of jurisprudence, science of hadith, scholars of medicine, engineering, mathematics and others of both religious and worldly knowledge. It is rare to meet such a huge number of them in one civilization, let alone that they are all the product of one school. Brothers of faith, we might not be possible for us to conclude our sermon about the mosque at this first session, we will continue in the following sermon – God’s willing - and the sermon will focus on the role of the mosque in the reformation of the society. SECOND KHUTBAH All praises are due to Allah. May the peace and blessing of Allah be upon Prophet Muhammad, his household, companions and believers till the end of time. Servants of Allah, Allah (swt) made injustice an forbidden for Himself and among His creatures as He says in Hadith Qudusiy: “O my servants, I forbade injustice on myself, and I made it forbidden among you, do not be unjust (among yourself) … ” “And never think that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only delays them for a Day when eyes will stare [in horror]. Racing ahead, their heads raised up, their glance does not come back to them, and their hearts are void. And, [O Muhammad], warn the people of a Day when the punishment will come to them and those who did wrong will say, "Our Lord, delay us for a short term; we will answer Your call and follow the messengers." [But it will be said], "Had you not sworn, before, that for you there would be no cessation? And you lived among the dwellings of those who wronged themselves, and it had become clear to you how We dealt with them. And We presented for you [many] examples." (14: 42- 45) Brothers of the faith, the enemies of Islam and Muslims declare war day and night against Islam and its adherents thinking they can eradicate Islam and Muslims!!!. It is common news that the Angolan Government want to eradicate Islam in her homeland rushing to demolish mosques- more than sixty (60) mosque have been demolished! "فَلْيَحْذَرِ الَّذِينَ يُخَالِفُونَ عَنْ أَمْرِهِ أَنْ تُصِيبَهُمْ فِتْنَةٌ أَوْ يُصِيبَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ" (النُّور: 63) “So let those beware who dissent from the Prophet's order, lest fitnah strike them or a painful punishment.” (24: 63) " يُرِيدُونَ أَنْ يُطْفِئُوا نُورَ اللَّهِ بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَيَأْبَى اللَّهُ إِلَّا أَنْ يُتِمَّ نُورَهُ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ " (التَّوبة:32 “They want to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah refuses except to perfect His light, although the disbelievers dislike it.” (9:32) In addition to the Angolan case, it was reported that the President of Zimbabwe expelled foreigners from his country and confiscated their money unjustly. And injustice is the darkness on the day of resurrection as said the Prophet-peace be upon him. We equally enjoin the Federal Government to heed the advices of the wise in applying peaceful approach to solve the problem of Boko Haram, following the path of his predecessor Yar’ Adua in order to avoid human and material losses. Oh Allah descend peace; flowing with continuous tranquility and security upon Nigeria and all other Muslim nations. O Allah accept the worship of the pilgrims of hajj and Umrah, and grant us all Your pleasure, And the last of our call will be, "Praise to Allah, Lord of the worlds!"