Past and present Role of the masjid, in the community building process
“Masjid” – a worship place for Muslims plays a crucial role in the development of the Islamic community. It binds Muslims together, spread positivity, peace, and brotherhood among Muslims.
Islamic history describes the function of Masjid in the community’s development and diversity of Islam. The three holiest mosques developed by Prophets, known as Masjid-al-haram, Masjid-e-Nabawi, and Masjid-ul-Aqsa signifies the importance of Masjid in Islam.
When Prophet Muhammad ﷺ migrated to Madina, he led the foundation of the masjid to highlight the importance of Masjid to his people. Today we need to understand the role of masjid in the development of community because Muslims have forgotten the true meaning of masjid. They now consider it as a place of offering prayer only.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
“خَيْرُ البِقَاعِ المَسَاجِدُ وشَرُّهَا الأَسْوَاقُ“
“The best patches [of the earth] are the masājid and the worst are the markets.”
[Reported by Ibn Hibban]
The historical role of the masjid, in the community building process
History marks the importance of masjid in Muslim community development. Masjid not only served as a place of worship but was also used as a community center, Islamic institute, Islamic court; meeting place, etc. It was a sign of brotherhood and togetherness of Muslims.
Allah has made the earth clean for Muslims ummah. There is no restriction to worship Allah under the boundaries of Masjid.
Narrated by Abu Huraira (r. a) that the messenger Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ said,
The earth has been made for me clean and a place of worship.” (Sahih Muslim 523a)
Aisha said: “On the day of the battle of the trench Saad suffered an injury to his arm and the Prophet pitched a tent in the mosque to care for him.”
(Al-Zubaydi, Mokhtaser Sahih Al-Bukhari, 154)
Dispute center
Masjid-e-Nabawi was also a dispute center and court for the Muslims where all social, political, and religious decisions were taken. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to solve any dispute among the Muslim fellow men. He used to listen to both the parties and judge wisely.
He also used to give punishment to the sinful wrongdoer according to the teaching of Islam and sharia.
Meeting place
All the sadqa and zakat used to gather and store in the masjid for needy people. Masjid also served as a meeting room for Muslims. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to discuss all the important matter of jihad with his companions, meeting with tribal delegation used to take place in the masjid. Whenever he wanted to discuss any important thing, he would announce it in the masjid in front of all people.
Role of masjid during Islamic rules
The first Khalifa (caliph of Islam) Hazrat Abu Bakr (radiallahu anhu) gave his first speech in the mosque. In his speech, he announced all the principles and policies made by Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) during his life. Later, it became the Islamic tradition. All the caliph and Muslim rulers including Umayyad and ‘Abbasid Khalifah would first address their people in the masjid after having being selected to lead.
All the rulers of Islam used to handle the queries in the masjid; they would educate, help, discuss and announce the important measures in the masjid as prescribe by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Market places were built near the masjid to increase the interaction between Muslims. There were different shops like bookshops, libraries, perfume shops, and halal food shops near the mosque. Women and youth activities were arranged in a separate region of the masjid to keep them connected to the heart of Islam.
Educational institute and sport activities
Masjid was an educative institute and informative center for everyone. News related to social, cultural, political, and ritual life was used to announce in the masjid. It was also a great sports center for Muslims
Aisha (radiallahu anhu) said:
“Once I saw the Messenger of Allah at the door of my house while some Ethiopians were playing with their spears in the mosque. The messenger of God screened me with his wrapper to enable me to watch their display.”
(Al-Zubaydi, Mokhtaser Sahih Al-Bukhari, 152.)
Matrimony contract
Masjid was an educative institute and informative center for everyone. News related to social, cultural, political, and ritual life was used to announce in the masjid. It was also a great sports center for Muslims
Aisha (radiallahu anhu) said:
“Once I saw the Messenger of Allah at the door of my house while some Ethiopians were playing with their spears in the mosque. The messenger of God screened me with his wrapper to enable me to watch their display.”
(Al-Zubaydi, Mokhtaser Sahih Al-Bukhari, 152.)
Role of Masjid during Prophet Muhammad ﷺ period
Muslims used to take part in the masjid for multipurpose. They used to discuss their problems, share their views and ideas. Binding or pairing for marriages, Matrimony contract, and the decision of mehar used to take place in the masjid.
Needy and Injured Muslims
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also gave a part of the masjid to needy and injured people. Tents were made to give shelter to the poor and treatment to injured Muslims.
Modern world masjid
Today, the diversity of Islam has led to the foundation of different Islamic communities in different parts of the world. Therefore masjids are built in a different part of the world. Although these masjids do not have equal status as Masij-e-Nabawi still they hold a very pious state in the view of Shariah.
Masjid exhibits significant power especially in the non-Muslim countries where minorities of Muslims do not have any other source to remain connected with Islam. Muslims can meet each other, discuss modern world problems in the light of Shariah and Quran, learn Islam, celebrate the holy festivals, give zakat and sadqa.
Masjid at present
Muslims living in Muslim or non-Muslim countries have forgotten their values and lost their correct path. The works which were used to be done in masjid are now functions by different organizations.
Sadqa and zakat are now collected by different organizations, a separate community center has been built for the Muslim community, sports activities are not a part of masjid anymore, separate Islamic education institutes have been built, and there is no concept of giving shelter to poor in the masjid. This has led to a division of Muslim ummah into different communities.
In the US Muslim communities are divided by race, cultural background, color, class, and language. Differences have replaced the feeling of brotherhood toward each other. Muslims have forgotten that who they are.
We need to understand we are one. We are like a body, if one part of the body hurts all the parts will be affected equally.
Take a step forward
We should take a step to bring back the old traditions of the masjid to unite the ummah. Take a step forward and help us reach our mission. We- Megamasjid has a huge mission to connect the Muslim community, businesses, Islamic organizations, and masjid within the Metro Detroit area to ease the issues related to hunger, education, housing, and health for low income and/or needy families.
We are working to connect local communities into a single global community to share each other’s strengths and help each other during the process.
