A Masjid is a Community Center for Muslims

June 12,2015
written by:Sheila Quinn

Hadeeth: “Narrated Samura bin Jundab: Whenever the Prophet finished the (morning) prayer, he would face us and ask, ‘Who amongst you had a dream last night?’ So if anyone had seen a dream he would narrate it. The Prophet would say: ‘Ma sha’a-l-lah’ (An Arabic maxim meaning literally ‘What Allah wished,’ and it indicates a good omen.)…” (From the collection of hadeeth: “Sahih Al-Bukhari”; Volume#2; Book “Funerals”#23; chapter #91; hadeeth #468)

There are other hadeeth.

 One is a hadeeth which is narrated by Ayesha (mother of believers/ a wife of Prophet Muhammad). In that hadeeth she talks about an incident in which she watched a sports event in the masjid. She was sitting behind Prophet Muhammad.

Another hadeeth is narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar (a companion of Prophet Muhammad and a son of another companion of Prophet Muhammad). In this hadeeth Abdullah ibn Umar mentioned that one time Prophet Muhammad pointed to one of the doors of the masjid. And he (Prophet Muhammad) said if only we would leave that door for the women. He said that he wish that door would be just for the women and that door (pointing to the other door) would be for the men. Prophet Muhammad wanted there to be separate entrances-one for the women and one for the men. Apparently there were two doors to the masjid in which both men and women used.

Qur’an:

      “Allah alone can show the right path but there are ways that turn aside; if Allah had so willed, He could have guided all of you.”  (Sura: “An-Nahl” (The Bee) #16; ayah #9)

 “Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (scriptures), in the Taurat and the Gospel:-for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil: he allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure);: he releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them. So it is those who believe in him, honour him, help him, and follow the Light which is sent down with him, - it is they who will prosper.”
(Sura: A’raaf (The Heights); ayah #157)

“…This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion…” (Sura: “Maida” (The Table Spread) #5; ayah #3)

Hadeeth

“Verily, I have left amongst you the Book of Allah and the Sunnah (Traditions) of His Messenger which if you hold fast, you shall never go astray.” (Sahih Muslim) 
(Source: “Ar- Raheeq Al – Makhtum” (The Sealed Nectar; chapter: “The Farewell Pilgrimage”)

The masjid is a community center for Muslims-not just a place of prayer. The masjid is a place of many different community activities for Muslims. It is a place of: prayer, classes, sports, social activities, community meetings, etc. It is a place that all Muslims, both men and women can go.

The Islamic Faith consists of: The Qur’an and The Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad. Anything that came after the death of Prophet Muhammad is misguidance. An English translation of what Allah says in The Qur’an is: “…This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion…”  (Sura: “Maida” (The Table Spread) #5; ayah #3)

One of the things that is misguidance is Fatwa, itself. Fatwa has displaced The Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad. Many Muslims are following fatwa instead of The Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad. It is time to return to The Sunneh of Prophet Muhammad; it is time to start building-and using- masjids as community centers for all Muslims.