Shariah rulings about some common issues related to Masjid

For men, offering the daily 5 Salaat in Masjid is Sunnah Moukkada (Compulsory Sunnah) and Salaat Ul Tarweeh is also a Sunnah.  Thus, Muslim men should go to the Masjid for offering the daily 5 Salaat and should offer the Salaat Ul Taraweeh also in the Masjid.  Stress on offering Salaat in Masjid is well established and there are glad tidings of reward on doing so.

 

Can children stand in elders’ row in the Masjid

 

The Shariah has commanded us to teach Salaat to children.  For this reason, bringing a 7-year-old child to the Masjid is permissible.  Along with the command to teach Salaat to children, then the manners of forming rows in Salaat have also been taught to us.  The elders’ row should be first and foremost and behind them the children’s row.  Children should not stand in the elders’ row, as given in Fatawa A’alamgiri Vol. 1 Kitab Us Salaat.

 

Where to stand in Masjid when joining in congregational Salaat

 

The preferred place for the Muqtadi (person following the Imam in Salaat) is the place closest to the Imam.  If there are an equal number of people in the row on both sides, then it is better to stand on the right side.  As given in Fatawa A’alamgiri, Kitab Us Salaat.

 

If there are many people on the right side and less on the left, then joining for Salaat on the left side is better, as in this case, the person will be closest to the Imam.  As given in Al Bahr Ur Raiq:

 

Translation: If there are an equal number of people on both sides, then it is better for the person joining the Salaat to stand on the right side.  If there are more number of people on the right side, then he should stand on the left side.

 

Is it necessary to sit before offering Tahiyyatul Masjid

 

It is not necessary to sit before offering Salaat, in fact, for someone offering Tahiyyatul Masjid, it is better not to sit.  It is Sunnah to offer Tahiyyatul Masjid on entering the Masjid, provided it is not a time when offering Salaat is Makruh (undesirable).  The method of this is that on entering the Masjid, 2 Raka’at with the intention (Niyyah) of Sunnah Tahiyyatul Masjid.

 

As given in the Hadith:

 

Translation:  It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Qatadah (May Allah be well pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: When anyone of you enters the Masjid, he should offer 2 Raka’at before sitting.  (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No: 1013)

 

If someone enters the Masjid when the congregational Salaat has started, then that person should join the Salaat without sitting.  This will become equal to Tahiyyatul Masjid.  It is given in Kanz Ud Daqaaiq, the commentary on Tabyeen Ul Haqaaiq, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 423:

 

Translation:  Tahiyyatul Masjid is a Sunnah, which has 2 Raka’at and it is offered before sitting and busying oneself in the performance of Fardh (Salaat) is equal to offering Tahiyyatul Masjid.  (Kanz Ud Daqaaiq, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 423)

 

Constructing shops, etc. in the Masjid

 

When a Masjid is built in a place, then 7 levels down into the earth and up to the skies, that area is a Masjid until the Qiyamah and ought to be treated and respected like one.  Cellar or floors of a Masjid cannot be used as shops or for residence.  The rules for the cellar and different floors are exactly that of a Masjid.  As given in Durre Mukhtaar, Vol. 1, Pg No: 485, and in Vol. 3, Pg No: 406:

 

Translation:  If there was a Masjid and then the person who made the endowment (Waqf) desires to make something new in the reconstruction and says that this was his (or her) Niyyah (intention) while making the endowment, then this will not be acknowledged.

 

Thus, if in the area of the Masjid itself, reconstruction has been done, then it is Wajib (Compulsory) to demolish it, even if it is on the wall of the Masjid.  However, shops, etc. can be constructed in the area where the toilets, wash room, etc. were there. 

 

Extending one’s house, etc. into the premises of the Masjid

 

As the Masjid and the premises of the Masjid are endowment property, (Waqf) they cannot be the property of a person and neither can a single person draw personal benefit from it.  It is the property of Allah Most High and using and drawing benefit from it is the right of every Muslim.

 

Thus, extending the house, even the eave of the house, into the premises of the Masjid is not permissible as per the Shariah.  In light of this, the caretakers should prohibit the person from doing so and save the land of the Masjid from being used for personal gain.  As given in Radd Ul Muhtaar, Vol. 3, Pg. No: 406.

 

What to do if Masjid is far from house?

 

Among the valid reasons described by the Fuqaha (jurists) in light of the Hadith, the Masjid being very far is not mentioned.  If Masjid is far in some area, then the person whose house is the most distant from the Masjid will get the most reward in coming to the Masjid. 

 

There is a Hadith in Jame’ Tirmidhi, Vol. 1:

 

Translation of Hadith: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be well pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  Shall I not inform you of those deeds with whom Allah Ta’ala wipes out the sins and raises the stations?  The Sahabah said:  Why not?  O Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  Performing a perfect Wudhu in spite of difficulty, taking more steps towards the Masjid, waiting for the next Salaat after the Salaat, as these are the sanctuaries of safety.

 

Even if the Masjid is far from the house, one should go to the Masjid and offer Salaat.  If somebody’s house is far from the Masjid, they will have to take that many more steps towards the Masjid and consequently they will get more reward.

 

Can we plant trees, etc. in the Masjid

 

If planting of trees is done in the Masjid for the sake of benefiting those who come to pray, so that they can get shade from it, then there is no problem in it provided it does not separate the rows in Salaat.

 

If the planting of trees benefits any particular person by leaves, flowers, etc. or it is dividing the rows of worshippers in Salaat or it is done in such a manner that the Masjid starts resembling a church, then it is Makruh (undesirable).  As given in Fatawa A’alamgiri, Vol. 5, Pg. No. 321.