The Masjid is a platform for oratory, eloquence and poetry: AI Tirmidhi and al Hakim extracted a hadith upon the authority of A’isha, who said, “The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to provide Hassan with a pulpit in the mosque from which he would satirize the disbelievers.”
Narrated Hassan Ibn Thabit al Ansari, “I asked Abu Hurayrah: By Allah! Tell me the truth as to whether you heard the Prophet (PBUH) saying, ‘O Hassan! Reply on behalf of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) … Abu Hurayrah said, ‘Yes’.” Imam Ahmad reported on the authority of Jabir ibn Samra, who said, “I witnessed the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) more than once sitting in the mosque while his Sahabah would recollect poetry and things from the times of Jahiliyyah, he (PBUH) would sometimes share a smile with them. “ AI- Tirmidhi also reported on the authority of Jabir ibn Samra, who said, “I sat with the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) more than once, his Sahabah would recite poetry and recollect things from the times of Jahiliyyah, he (PBUH) would keep silent, and sometimes he would share a smile with them. “
The Masjid is a detention centre for the prisoner of war: Bukhari reported that Abu Hurayrah said, “The Prophet (PBUH) sent some horsemen to Najd and they brought a man called Thumama lbn Uthal from Banu Hanifah (as a prisoner of war). They fastened him to one of the pillars of the mosque. The Prophet (PBUH) came and ordered them to release him. He (Thumama) went to a (garden of) date palms near the mosque, took a bath and entered the mosque again and said, ‘I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (i.e. he embraced Islam)’.”
Masjid is a place for Medical Care: The mosque of the Prophet (PBUH) was a place for care for the wounded in wars and similar crises. Imam Bukhari reported on the authority of A’isha that she said, “Sa’d ibn Wadh was injured in the battle of the Trench, by a man from Quraysh called Habban ibn Arqa, and the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) pitched a tent in the mosque for Wadh so that he could be near him and visit him. However his wound was bleeding profusely and he died after spending a month in the tent.” In this hadith, there is an indication that it is permitted to sleep in the mosque and for the sick to be nursed there even if they are badly wounded.
The Masjid is a home and refuge for the poor, needy and the travelers: Bukhari reported that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) reserved a corner of the mosque as a shelter for the poor who were known as the people of al Suffah. Bukhari reported that ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar used to sleep in the mosque of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) when he was still young.
The Masjid is a place of relaxation and siesta: Ubada ibn Tamim reported on the authority of his uncle that he saw the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) lying down in the mosque. Ahmad, al Nisa’i and Abu Dawud reported on the authority of ’Abdullah ibn ‘Umar that he said, “During the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) we used to sleep in the mosque and have siesta there when we were young.”
Bukhari also extracted a hadith stating that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) came to the mosque while ‘Ali was asleep in there and ‘Ali’s garment had fallen off his side and was covered in dust; the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) wiped the dust off and said to ‘Ali, “Get up Abu Turab (father of dust).” We gather from these texts that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and the Sahabah used to rest and sleep in the mosque. However, this should not be taken for granted, time and condition should be taken into consideration, and especially if it’s against the rules and regulations of the mosque committee, or where the act will bring about discredit to the mosque or inconveniences to the worshippers.
The Masjid is a place where the pleasure of Allah and ‘good reputation’ is sought: Bukhari, Ahmad and Muslim reported on the authority of Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH)said, “Allah will prepare a quarter in Heaven for he who frequently goes to the mosque each time he comes and goes.” Ahmad, al Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah reported on the authority of Ibn Sa’id that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “If you see a man going frequently to the mosques, bear witness that he is a believer.” Muslim reported on the authority of Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “He who purifies himself at home and then walks to one of Allah’s houses to perform one of Allah’s commands, each one of his steps will wipe out a sin and the other will increase his reward.”
The Masjid is an eating place for the hungry and the needy: Ibn Majah reported that ‘Abdullah Ibn al Harith said, “We used to eat bread and meat in the Mosque during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (saw). “Bukhari also reported in his Sahih that the people of al Suffah lived in the Mosque, they therefore had to eat in there as well.
The Masjid is a place where people in need can ask for help: Muslim and al Nisa’i extracted from the hadith of Abu Hazim Salman al Ashja’i that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) permitted the needy to seek help in the mosque.
-Excerpted from the book: ‘Mosque Management And It’s Roles In Muslim Worship’ by ASP Yaqub Alhassan, Imam Force Hqtrs Juma’at Mosque, Abuja
