Chapter 1: Entering the House of Allah
The mosque stands as a beacon of faith, a place where hearts connect with the Divine.
It is a sanctuary for the soul, a place for reflection, learning, and prayer.
As Muslims, it is our duty to approach and enter this sacred space with the utmost respect and reverence.
Just as we observe certain manners in our homes and in the presence of esteemed individuals, mosque etiquette holds a special significance.
By adhering to these etiquettes, we cultivate an atmosphere of peace, tranquillity, and focus, allowing ourselves and others to fully benefit from the blessings of the mosque.
Stepping across the threshold of a mosque is not merely a physical act; it is an act of devotion.
It is a step closer to Allah, a transition from the worldly to the spiritual.
Our hearts should be filled with humility and gratitude as we enter this sacred space, leaving behind the distractions and worries of daily life.
The mosque is a place where we connect with our Creator, with our community, and with our own inner selves.
Let us, therefore, be mindful of our conduct and strive to maintain the sanctity of this blessed place.
Before entering the mosque, it is important to ensure our physical appearance aligns with the sanctity of the place.
We should be clean and dressed in modest attire, covering our bodies appropriately.
This outward presentation reflects our inner state of purity and respect.
Our clothing should not bear any images or slogans that are disrespectful or offensive in nature.
The mosque is a place of unity and peace, and our attire should reflect these values.
Just as we purify our bodies before prayer, we should also purify our intentions upon entering the mosque.
We should enter with the sincere desire to seek Allah’s pleasure, to learn, to pray, and to connect with our community.
Let us leave behind any worldly concerns or ill feelings towards others.
The mosque is a place of forgiveness and reconciliation, and we should strive to embody these qualities in our interactions with others.
Chapter 2: Greeting Your Brothers and Sisters
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, emphasized the importance of spreading peace and fostering brotherhood within the Muslim community.
One of the simplest yet most profound ways to embody this teaching is through the act of greeting each other with the salutation of peace- Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh (Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you).
This greeting is not merely a formality; it is an invocation of divine blessings upon our fellow Muslims, a reminder of our shared faith and our interconnectedness as a community.
Upon entering the mosque, it is a beautiful Sunnah (practice of the Prophet) to greet those present with Assalamu alaikum.
This simple act transcends mere courtesy; it strengthens the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood, creating an atmosphere of warmth and welcome.
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said, You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another.
Shall I not tell you of something that, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread peace amongst yourselves. (Sahih Muslim)
Even if the mosque is crowded, we should make an effort to greet those around us, even if we do not know them personally.
A simple smile and a nod of acknowledgment can go a long way in fostering a sense of community and belonging.
The mosque should be a place where strangers become friends, united by their shared faith and love for Allah.
By extending the greeting of peace, we are, in essence, extending a hand of friendship and brotherhood.
If we happen to arrive while a congregational prayer is in progress, it is important to wait until the prayer has concluded before greeting others.
This shows respect for the sanctity of the prayer and avoids disrupting the concentration of those praying.
Once the prayer has ended, we can then greet our brothers and sisters with Assalamu alaikum and engage in conversation.
Chapter 3: Exchanging Greetings During Prayer
There may be times when we enter the mosque and find others already engaged in prayer.
In such instances, it is essential to acknowledge their presence and offer the Salam, even though they are in a state of communication with Allah.
However, the manner in which we do so should be considerate and avoid disturbing their prayer.
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, taught us that when greeting someone in prayer, we should do so with a gesture instead of speaking aloud.
This ensures that the sanctity of their prayer is maintained while still fulfilling the Sunnah of greeting our fellow Muslims.
A simple nod of the head or a slight wave of the hand, accompanied by a sincere intention to convey the Salam, is sufficient in this scenario.
If we are unsure whether someone has seen our gesture of greeting, it is permissible to say Assalamu alaikum in a very soft voice, almost a whisper, without disturbing those in prayer.
The key is to be mindful of our surroundings and to prioritize the sanctity of the prayer taking place.
It is also important to note that if we are the ones praying and someone greets us, it is not obligatory for us to respond verbally or with a gesture.
Our focus should remain on our prayer and our connection with Allah.
However, if we are able to acknowledge the greeting subtly without breaking our concentration, it is considered courteous to do so.
Chapter 4: Offering Tahiyatul Masjid
Section Four- The Mosque’s Embrace- Offering Tahiyatul Masjid.
Upon entering the mosque, it is a highly recommended Sunnah to perform two units of prayer known as Tahiyatul Masjid, the prayer of greeting the mosque.
This prayer is a beautiful act of worship that signifies our respect for the house of Allah and our gratitude for being given the opportunity to be present in this sacred space.
It is a way of acknowledging the sanctity of the mosque and seeking Allah’s blessings.
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said, When any one of you enters a mosque, he should pray two rak’ahs before sitting.
This hadith highlights the importance of offering Tahiyatul Masjid as a way of showing reverence and seeking Allah’s pleasure upon entering the mosque.
Tahiyatul Masjid can be performed at any time after entering the mosque, except during the times when prayer is prohibited.
It is preferable to offer this prayer before sitting down or engaging in any other activity within the mosque.
This demonstrates our prioritization of worship and our understanding of the mosque’s primary purpose as a house of prayer.
The two rak’ahs of Tahiyatul Masjid are prayed like any other two rak’ahs of voluntary prayer.
However, it is recommended to recite Surah al-Kafirun, Chapter One Hundred Nine, after Surah al-Fatiha, Chapter One, in the first rak’ah, and Surah al-Ikhlas, Chapter One Hundred Twelve, after Surah al-Fatiha in the second rak’ah.
These surahs emphasize the oneness of Allah and the importance of sincerity in worship, reminding us of the true purpose of our presence in the mosque.
Chapter 5: The Adhan and Its Significance
Section Five- Heeding the Call- The Adhan and Its Significance.
The Adhan, the call to prayer, is an integral part of Muslim life, echoing from mosques around the world and signifying the start of a designated time for prayer.
It is a reminder of our duty to Allah and an invitation to connect with Him.
When we hear the Adhan, our hearts should incline towards the mosque, and we should make an effort to answer this sacred call.
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said, When the call to prayer is given, then Shaytan runs away, breaking wind loudly so that he will not hear the call being given.
When the call is finished, he comes back until the Iqamah is given, then he runs away again.
When the Iqamah is finished, he comes back to put thoughts into the mind of the person, saying, ‘Remember such and such, remember such and such,’ things that he did not think of before the prayer, until the person does not know how many rak’ahs he has prayed.
Upon hearing the Adhan, it is considered disrespectful to leave the mosque unless there is a valid reason, such as an urgent need or an important commitment that cannot be delayed.
The mosque is the most blessed place to be during the time of prayer, and we should strive to remain within its precincts, seeking Allah’s mercy and forgiveness.
If we have entered the mosque with the intention of leaving before the prayer, and we hear the Adhan, it is recommended to stay for the prayer.
This shows respect for the call to prayer and allows us to benefit from the blessings of praying in congregation.
The reward for praying in congregation is far greater than praying alone, and we should seize every opportunity to earn Allah’s pleasure.
Chapter 6: Maintaining Respect and Silence
Section Six- A Sanctuary of Serenity- Maintaining Respect and Silence.
The mosque is a place of worship, reflection, and spiritual rejuvenation.
It is essential to maintain an atmosphere of tranquillity and respect within its walls, allowing ourselves and others to connect with Allah in peace.
This entails being mindful of our behaviour, our speech, and our actions, ensuring that they are in line with the sanctity of the mosque.
One of the most important aspects of mosque etiquette is maintaining silence.
Loud talking, laughter, and unnecessary conversations should be avoided, as they can disturb those who are praying, reciting Quran, or simply seeking a moment of quiet contemplation.
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said, Verily, your talking in the mosque is like the talking of camels, except for talking which is about good.
It is important to remember that the mosque is not a place for worldly affairs.
Discussions about business, politics, or other worldly matters should be avoided.
Similarly, making announcements about lost items or seeking to buy or sell things is inappropriate within the mosque’s sacred precincts.
The mosque is a place of worship and spiritual growth, and our focus should be on connecting with Allah and seeking His guidance.
Our electronic devices should also be used respectfully within the mosque.
Mobile phones should be silenced or switched to silent mode to avoid disrupting the tranquillity of the environment.
If we must use our phones, we should do so discreetly and for essential purposes only.
The mosque is not a place for casual browsing, social media, or entertainment.
