Yet it is the Muslims, since centuries ago, who have been used to relinquishing the demands of their chaotic selves at the five punctuations of their stated night and day in the heavenly atmosphere of a mosque, a masjid. Its breathtaking structure speaking volumes of the architectural masterminds behind it, the bona fide objective of this divine enclosure is in no way insignificant.

A Peek into the Past

Recalling the early periods of the Makkan life, it is evident that the newly converted Muslims had a hard time observing their faith openly. Not only were they brutalized at the hands of their unbelieving tribal brethren for the articulation of the Truth, they were also dominated by the entire idol-based socio-political system of Arabia.

To spread the message of Islam far and wide, it was crucial to build an establishment that could act at once as a unifying point for all the believers and a beacon radiant of peace and invitation for the rest of humanity. This is why when the Prophet may Allah bless him and grant him peace got the golden go ahead from the Divine to migrate from the violent clutches of the Makkan pagans, he built the first mosque of Islamic history, the Masjid of Quba. This was surely a monumental event for the sparse Muslim community. Now they had a holy place where they could exercise their belief openly and without the fear of being criticized.

As Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him traveled further, with his she-camel being divinely guided along the way, the small caravan of eager recipients of the Last Prophet had to stop at the spot the animal would be shown to. And that’s where the ever-blessed foundations of Masjid An-Nabawi were laid down.

This historically significant moment marked the important role this masjid in particular, and the rest of the masajid of the world in general, had to play. The religion of Islam through the building of these mosques received a bolstering support and sent out the message loud and clear that this deen was here to change the fate of humanity and every other sphere of life, be it spiritual, moral, or social.

Enjoying an essential position at the heart of the Muslim community, a masjid actually plays a vital, multi-dimensional role. In the same context, explaining the spiritual function of the mosque, Imam al Qurtubi highlights the key purpose of this blessed sanctuary, which Allah mentions in the Quran with these moving words:

'In houses which Allah has permitted to be raised, and His name is celebrated therein. He is glorified therein, morning and evening. By men who neither trading nor commerce distracts them from Allah’s remembrance, and from performing the prayers, and from giving alms. They fear a Day when hearts and sights are overturned.' (Surah an-Nur, 36-37).

According to Qurtubi, the literal meaning of “exalted” here implies that masajid are to be constructed in a reasonably impressive manner but without excessive expenditure on them. Furthermore, just as the believers are expected to be ritually clean from the outside, it is equally important for them to cleanse their souls and mind when inside the mosque. Hence, no bickering, shouting, or fighting inside the masjid is to be done at any time.

Source: muslimvillage