Masjid Belongs to Allah, Stop Policing

Sometime in 2001, I got admitted into Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), to study mechanical engineering. The prior year, I had just graduated from high school. I became fast friends with two other Muslim Jambites; Sherifat and Ramota. We resided in Mozambique hall, which housed freshman females. Ramota resumed before me. She informed me of a nice sister that gave her hijab as a welcome gift. Every Salat that met us in our hostel, we would visit the Awo mosque. We would visit the Masjid to observe our prayers in our top and jeans with our big hijab/scarf. Whenever we visit, there was always this lovely hijabite waiting to give us hijab and wrapper with a huge smile on her face and a hug.

There was zero judgment. She never badmouthed us or lectured us but she made us feel pure love that we were more inclined to visit. She was humble and grounded. That singular act developed my love for Salat. That sister embodied what Islam preaches: Tolerance, understanding, and peace. She exhibited traits that aligned with the teachings and actions of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). This was Jihad in its purest form. I would like to discuss each lesson as it pertains to current events.

Mosque also known as Masjid is the center of all Islamic affairs as it was during the prophet’s time. In the Prophet’s mosques in Medina, It was a place to observe prayers, school of knowledge where the companions study the Quran, a place where charity work was done and a war room for decision making and planning. The Masjid also served as a place to care for the needy and orphans as well as a place for giving dawah to non-Muslims who loved Islam. The Prophet SAW was reported to have allowed non-Muslims not only to come and talk to him about Islam but he allowed them to pray in their way [2].

Once a masjid is built and dedicated to Allah SWT, it belongs to Allah SWT. It is the right of every Muslim to worship at any masjid. No Muslim should be prevented from entering the mosque to worship Allah or seek knowledge. The Quran states that the mosques of Allah shall be visited and maintained by such as belief 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. (Surah At-Tawba, 18). This Ayah explains that every believer (one that believes in the articles of faith) is a shareholder in the masjid.

An incident happened some years back where I was prevented from worshiping at a huge masjid in Houston, Texas. This masjid looked like the typical mosque with the dome, crest, and star. I met a man at the gate who told me I couldn’t observe Jummah prayer there.He redirected me to another mosque down the street but I couldn’t ask questions because I was running late for Jummah prayers. I wondered why a huge mosque would not make provision for the female worshipers. It was shocking to be told by my younger brother that he was also prevented from worshiping at another mosque in the same Houston. He was told it was because he didn’t belong to their sect. Does the Quran support discrimination based on any criteria?

In Nigeria, certain central and secretariat mosque in the big city prohibit sisters from worshiping due to their strict dress code. The ushers police the gate and prevent sisters from observing congregational prayer because they wear trousers. Regardless of the length of their tunics, top or blouse. Muslims are turned back from worshiping Allah SWT. Why? How? How can any believer prevent another from exercising their religious right? Who really is a believer? Is Iman (faith) measured by the outward appearance? Where is the Hadith that support dress code monitoring at masjid? Where was it reported that the Prophet or his household prevented anyone (even non-Muslims) from worshiping at his masjid? Why would Muslims be allowed to perform Hajj in trouser and not pray at a local mosque? Are the local mosques holier than the Mosques in Medina/Mecca?   

It was reported that the Prophet’s masjid was open to all, even to those who were not respectful of it. It was right in the Prophet’s masjid that some Bedouin drifter came and started urinating in it. Some of the companions rushed to stop him, but the Prophet asked them to leave him alone saying “…you are expected to deal with people gently…” 1. Imam Ja’far b. Muhammad as-Sadiq (as) said that the Noble Prophet (SAW) has said: He who walks to the mosque seeking the congregational prayers, for every step he takes,  he receives seventy thousand good deeds, and his rank is raised accordingly. This status continues even after his death, for Allah appoints seventy thousand angels who would pray for him in his grave, give him good tidings, accompany him in his loneliness and plead for forgiveness for him till he his raised (from the grave). Allahu Akbar!

Why would anyone think it’s a good idea to deny anyone the seven thousand good deeds? How is this Jihad?

What is the potential ripple effect?

1. The rejected sister would probably get maximum blessings because she had the pure intention of worshiping Allah SWT.
2. The policing sister might lose some of her good deeds because she denied someone access to congregational prayers and went against the teachings of Prophet Muhammad SAW.
3. The struggling sister would feel embarrassed, unloved and unwelcomed which might result in her never visiting the masjid again.
4. The new believer assumes that if Muslims can’t tolerate each other, how would they tolerate one that has zero ideas about Islam?

Jihad is fighting in the cause of Allah. Jihad means doing things to promote Islam and fighting for the growth of the religion. It can be done by easing difficulty to promote our noble religion. Jihad could be as easy as writing a comment to correct a wrong notion about Islam. In this case, Jihad could be done by making provisions for worshipers who are under-dressed by buying and providing hijabs and wrappers. This act would show Islam in the best light and encourage more people to seek the religion of peace while earning maximum benefit. This also promotes brotherhood and teaches tolerance as the Prophet preached. Surah Al-Hujurat verse 10, Q(49:10) states “Without [a] doubt the believers are brothers of one another so then make peace and harmony between your brothers and have consciousness of Allah so that maybe He will show you mercy”.  

We show love and promote peace and harmony by accepting and showing kindness to all even non-Muslims. The noble Prophet allowed non-Muslims (people of the book and Jews) into the mosque. He even allowed them to observe their prayers. If it’s accepted and encouraged by the noble Prophet, then it should be done by everyone. At my old masjid in Columbus, people of other faith are allowed to observe during jummah prayer. The ladies are advised to cover their hair with handkerchief or scarf. They listen to the Khutbah and observe Islamic brotherhood during salat. The noble prophet was reported to have preached and was tolerant so its Sunnah to all of us.

Most Non-Muslims have the wrong perception about Islam because of the evil done in its name. They are ignorant and are searching for knowledge. We, Muslims can either satisfy their curiosity by inviting them into our space or feed their fear by preventing them from visiting our place of worship. Show them the beauty of Islam so they can be encouraged to become Muslims. Islam is a way of life, which harbors no secrets exclusive to only Muslims.

There are also some isolated incidents in the masjid that needs to be addressed. Muslims refusing to stand close (i.e. shoulder and feet touching as dictated by the Sunnah) to another Muslim because of misguided thoughts or prejudice.  The prejudice that one isn’t up to another’s level of iman because of the outward appearance. They condemn one because of the absence of socks or presence of trouser or general outlook. Some don’t even respond to teslim from others they believe aren’t up to par. These Muslims forget that there is a huge blessing in greeting and responding back to teslim.

The Quran reaffirms that ‘when a (courteous) greeting is offered [to] you, meet it with a greeting still more courteous, or (at least) of equal courtesy. Allah takes careful account of all things’ [Qurān 4; Surah An-Nisa, Verse 86]. The Quran didn’t attach a condition to this ayah about courtesy. Even if a sister wearing spaghetti top and bum short offers you a greeting, it is our prerogative as Muslims to respond back. The openness, warmness, and friendliness are what attracts people to Islam and not pride or prejudice.

The masjid wasn’t created only for the pious one. Only Allah is the pious one. There is no rank or hierarchy while worshiping in the masjid, only in the maintenance. Masjid should be a safe haven for all regardless of one’s outfit or skin color. No Muslim should judge another’s final destination. It’s like a student judging another student’s result because she spied at his/her work. The copier forgets that the student might have added the correct answers while she wasn’t paying attention.

Let’s leave judgment to Allah and do our best to emulate the Noble Prophet (SAW) in everything we do. We must uphold the brotherhood and treat everyone exactly how we want to be treated. It is imperative to always seek ways to mitigate issues instead of escalating them. If any issue is disrupting others from worshiping Allah SWT, it is our duty as believers to adopt proactive measures in order to ensure everyone gets maximum reward.

THAT’S OUR JIHAD AS MUSLIMS!