Khutbah: On Serving the Masjid

الحمدهلل،الحمد هلل الذي جعل المساجد أماكن للعبادة وفتح لنا فيها أبواب رحمته،نحمده
ونستعينه،ونستغفرهونشكرهِوَنُؤْمِن ُ بِهو ِنَتَوَكَّل ُ عَلَيْه،ونعوذباهللمنشرورأنفسناومن
سيئاتأعمالنا،من يهده هللا فال مضل له، ومن يضلل فال هادي لهونشهدأنالإلهإالهللا
وحدهالشريكله،لهالملكولهالحمد،يحييويميت،بيدهالخير،وهوعلىكلشيء
قدير،ونشهدأنسيدناوموالنامحمداعبدهورسوله،بلغالرسالةوأدىاألمانةونصح
األمة،وكشف الغمة، وجاهد في هللا حق جهاده حتى أتاه اليقين،اللهم صل ِ وسلم وباركعليه
وعلى آله وأصحابه أجمعين، ومن تبعهم بإحسان إلى يوم الدين.
أمابعد!فياعبادهللااتقواهللاحقتقاتهوالتموتنإالوأنتممسلمون.يأيهاالذينءامنوااتقوا
هللاوقولواقوالسديدايصلحلكمأعمالكمويغفرلكمذنوبكم.ومنيطعهللاورسولهفقدفاز
فوزاعظيما
قال هللا تعالى في كتابه الكريم:ََّللَِّ وَالْيَوْم ِ ا ْلْخِر ِ وَأَقَام َ َّللاَِّ مَن ْ آمَن َ بِا إِنَّمَا يَعْمُر ُ مَسَاجِد َ
َّ َّللاََّ فَعَسَى ٰ أُولَٰئِك َ أَن ْ يَكُونُوا مِن َ الْمُهْتَدِين الصَّالَة َ وَآتَى الزَّكَاة َ وَلَم ْ يَخْش َ إِال”

“The Masajid of Allah are only to be maintained by those who believe in Allah and the
Last Day and establish salah and give zakah and do not fear except Allah, for it is
expected that those will be of the [rightly] guided.” (Surah At-Tawbah 9:18)”
SubhaanAllah, in this verse Allah Himself testifies to the Eman of those who maintain the
Masajid. Masajid is the plural of Masjid which is derived from the Arabic root ” س-ج-د “. This
root is the basis for the word “Sajda” (سجدة), meaning prostration, to put our highest part on the
lowest, which is the epitome of submission to Allah, the Lord and Owner of everything and
everyone. Hence, “Masjid” is a place for the epitome of submission to Allah, the Lord and
Owner of everything and everyone.
The Prophet (ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص) said that Allah, Blessed and Exalted, said:
إِن َّ بُيُوتِي فِي أَرْضِي المَسَاجِد ُ وإِن ْ زُوَّارِي فِيهَا عُمارُهَا،ِفَطُوبَىلعَبْد َِتطهَّر َ في بَيْتِهِ، ثُم َّ زَارَنِي في بَيْتِي، ُ
فَحَق ِِّ عَلَى المَزُور ِ أَن ْ يُكرم زَائِرَه
“Indeed, My houses on Earth are the mosques, and My visitors are those who maintain it.
Blessed is the servant who purifies himself in his own house, then visits Me in My house. It is
the right of the visited (Allah) to honour His visitor.”
عُمارُهَا – shares the same root letters as amaraُ يَعْمُرthe same word used by Allah (SWT) in
surah Tawbah. They are in the present tense and noun form to denote continuity and
consistency. Who are these fortunate, distinguished people, these maintainers of the
بسمهللا الرحمن الرحيم
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Houses of Allah, whom Allah Himself honours by calling them His visitor and testifies to
their Eman?َ
ََّلَة َ وَآتَى الزَّكَاة َّللَِّ وَالْيَوْم ِ ا ْلْخِر ِ وَأَقَام َ الص مَن ْ آمَن َ بِا
“those who believe in Allah and the Last Day..” they have knowledge and “establish salah and
give zakah..” Amal – they act upon that knowledge. This maintenance of the Masjid is anything
done for the Masjid. Not only repairing or building, but adorning the mosques with carpets and
other necessities, illuminating them with lamps or lights which reminds me of the hadith of the
one who cannot visit Al-Aqsa, what should he do?’ He ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص said:
“Then he should make a gift of some oil to be lit therein [in its lamps]. For indeed the one who
gifts this to it, will be like the one who has prayed therein.” These days AL-Mussala al-Qibli
has a box designated just for this purpose, for keeping the lights of the Masjid on.
Ya IbadaAllah, make a point of contributing a part of your income every week (Fridays are the
best days of the week), or every month to the masjid. This word “Maintain” also encompasses
continuously and consistently engaging in worship and remembrance in the Masjid,
consistently attending and teaching knowledge within them, and even protecting the Masajid
and those who frequent them.
Caring for the Masjid’s sanctity and cleanliness are also included herein. The Prophet (ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص) said:
“The deeds of my Ummah were presented to me, their good deeds and their bad deeds, and I
found that among their good deeds was the removal of harmful objects from the road, and I
found that among their bad deeds was spittle in the mosque that was not cleaned up.” ( Muslim)
Every believer should take it upon themselves to ensure that the mosque is kept clean and
welcoming. Whether it is by removing litter, ensuring the carpets are tidy, or simply not
bringing in dirt from the outside, every small effort contributes to the sanctity of the Masjid.
The mosque holds a central place in the life of a Muslim. It is the house of Allah, and it serves
as the heart of the Muslim community. You should look after it better than your own homes
and businesses. Find a way that is within your capacity, whether great or small, to attach
yourself to the Masjid.
“ َّللاَِّ أَسْوَاقُهَا َّللاَِّ مَسَاجِدُهَا وَأَبْغَض ُ الْب َِلَد ِ إِلَى َِلَد ِ إِلَى أَحَب ُّ الْب ”
بسمهللا الرحمن الرحيم
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“The most beloved places to Allah are the mosques, and the most disliked places to Allah are
the markets.” (Muslim) From this hadith, we understand that the mosque is not merely a just
another building; it is a sacred space where we connect with our Creator. It is where we find
peace, solace, and a sense of belonging. The Prophet (ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص) himself set the precedent by
establishing the first mosque in Madinah, Masjid Quba, even before entering the city.
Prophet went to Masjid Quba’ and asked,
« َّ إِن َّ هللا َ تَعَالَى قَد ْ أَحْسَن َ عَلَيْكُم ُ الثَّنَاء َ فِي الطُّهُور ِ فِي قِصَّة ِ مَسْجِدِكُمْ، فَمَا هَذَا الطُّهُور ُ الذِي تَطَهَّرُون َ بِهِ؟ »
“In the story about your Masjid, Allah the Exalted has praised you concerning the purification
that you perform. What is the purification that you perform” They said, “By Allah, O Allah’s
Messenger! We do not know except that we had neighbours who used to use water to wash
with after answering the call of nature, and we washed as they washed.” (Ibn Khuzaymah).
لَّمَسْجِد ٌ أُسِِّس َ عَلَى التَّقْوَى
The point of this was to highlight that the houses of Allah are not built with material means but
with taqwa for those possessing taqwa. Forbidden to those who still persist in their belief that
this world is everything. Because only a heart singular in its devotion to Allah, free from any
other attachments, and wholly focused on Allah, can maintain these sacred spaces. Only those
who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and who maintain the prayers of the heart and give the
charity of the soul, without observing anyone other than Allah, can truly maintain these sacred
places.
May Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless our Masajid, especially this Masjid, make it a beacon of guidance
and place of sincere worship and remembrance of Allah.
أقولقوليهذاوأستغفرهللاليولكمولسائرالمسلمينمنكلذنبفاستغفروهإنههوالغفور
الرَّحيم
بسمهللا الرحمن الرحيم
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الحمدهللالحمدهللربالعالمين،وأشهدأنالإلهإالهللاوحدهالشريكلهوأشهدأنمحمدا
عبدهورسوله،أرسلهبشيراونذيرابينيديالساعةاللهم صل ِ وسلم وباركعليهوعلى آله
وأصحابه أجمعين، ومن تبعهم بإحسان إلى يوم الدين.
أما بعد! فيأيها الذين ءامنوا اتقوا هللا ما استطعتم واسمعوا وأطيعوا وأنفقوا خيرا ألنفسكم. يا
عباد هللا أوصيكم وإياي بتقوى هللا وطاعته وأحذركم وإياي عن معصيته ومخالفتهَّوَأَن َََل
َّللَِِّ ف َ الْمَسَاجِدَ َّللاَِّ أَحَدًا تَدْعُوا مَع “
“And the Masajid are for Allah (Alone), so invoke not anyone along with Allah”
“He who purifies himself (performs Wudu’) in his house and then walks to one of the houses
of Allah (mosques) for performing an obligatory Salah, one step of his will wipe out his sins
and another step will elevate his rank (in Jannah).” (Muslim)
When we enter the mosque, we should enter with the right foot, say (اللهم افتح لي أبواب رحمتك) and
greet. From that moment our conduct should reflect the reverence due to such a place.
يََٰبَنِي ٓ ءَادَم َ خُذُوا ْ زِينَتَكُم ۡ عِند َ كُل ِِّ مَسۡجِد
“O children of Adam, present yourself well when you go to the Masjid…” (7:31)
When attending the mosque, men and women should dress modestly, ensuring clothing is
loose, clean, and respectful. Women should cover their entire bodies except for the face and
hands and both should avoid tight clothing, excessive fragrance, and any attire with distracting
images or symbols and maintain a quiet and composed demeanour. Our behaviour should be
exemplary, avoiding loud conversations and any actions that might disturb others in prayer.
The Prophet (ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص) said: “The prayer of a person in his house is a single prayer, his prayer in the
masjid of the tribes is a prayer worth twenty-five times, and his prayer in the masjid which is
gathered for is worth five hundred prayers.” (Ibn Majah)
The Masjid is a place where all believers stand shoulder to shoulder, regardless of their social
status, ethnicity, or background. This unity in prayer is a powerful reminder of the equality and
brotherhood that Islam promotes. Allah (SWT) says in the Qur’an:ِ
ِۦ ٓ أُمَّتُكُم ۡ أُمَّة ٗ وََٰحِدَة ٗ وَأَنَا ۠ رَبُّكُم ۡ فَٱعۡبُدُونإِن َّ هََٰذِه
“This community of yours, is a single community, and I am your Lord, so worship Me.” (
بسمهللا الرحمن الرحيم
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21:92)
The scholars have emphasised different aspects of the role of the Masjid, for instance, Ibn
Kathir mentions in his Tafseer about the role of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah:
“كان مسجد النبي صلى هللا عليه وسلم بالمدينة دار عبادة، ومدرسة تعليم، ومنبر توجيه وإرشاد”
“The mosque of the Prophet ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص in Madinah was a place of worship, a school of education, and
a pulpit for guidance and counselling.” Imam Al-Ghazali in his Ihya Ulumuddin emphasizes
the community aspect of mosques:
“المساجد هي أماكن اجتماع المؤمنين، حيث يتشاركون في العبادات والدروس، ويقوي بعضهم بعضا ً باإليمان والتآخي”
“Mosques are places where believers gather, share in worship and lessons, and strengthen each
other through faith and brotherhood.” Ibn Ajeebah in his Tafseer highlights the spiritual
benefits of frequenting the mosque:
“المرء يجد في المسجد نورا ً في قلبه، وراحة ً في نفسه، وقوة ً في إيمانه”
“One finds in the mosque light in his heart, peace in his soul, and strength in his Eman.”
Conclusion
Ya IbadaAllah, let us renew our commitment to the mosque. Strive to make it the centre of our
lives, ensuring it remains a place of cleanliness, unity, and worship. Remember the immense
rewards promised for those who care for and frequent the mosque. May Allah (SWT) grant us
the ability to honour His house, perform our prayers with sincerity, and foster a strong,
supportive community within its walls.
As we conclude today’s khutbah, let us reflect on the importance of our engagement with the
mosque. I want to emphasize the value of our Wednesday Tafseer classes, which take place
between Maghrib and Esha. We have recently completed the Tafseer of Surah Al-Fatiha, and
I encourage each of you to attend these classes regularly. They offer a valuable opportunity to
deepen our understanding of the Qur’an and strengthen our connection with Allah (SWT) in
the House of Allah.
بسمهللا الرحمن الرحيم
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In addition to participating in these educational opportunities, I urge you to take actionable
steps to further engage with the Jumua Mosque. Volunteer for mosque maintenance, support
mosque initiatives, foster a positive environment, and invite others to join our activities. Each
of these actions contributes to the vitality and growth of our community.
Furthermore, please join us for lunch, which will be served after Jumuah in the annex to the
mosque on the right. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with each other and strengthen
our bonds.
May Allah (SWT) grant us the ability to honour His house, enhance our worship, and foster a
strong, supportive community within these sacred walls. Ameen.َّ
إِنَهللاُوَمَالَئِكَتَهَيُصَلُّونعَلَىالنَّبِيِ،يَاأَيُهَاَالذِينْآمَنُواْصَلُّواِعَلَيْهْوَسَلِمُواتَسْلِيما.َّ
اللَّهُمِصَلْوَسَلِمْوَبَارِكِعَلَيْهوَعَلَىِآلِهِوَصَحْبِهَأَجْمَعِين.َوَارْضَّاللَّهُمِعَنِالْخُلَفَاءَالرَّاشِدِينأَبِيبَكْرَ
وَعُمَرَوَعُثْمَانوَعَلِي،وعنأمالمومنينعائشةالتيأمرناهللافيسورةالنورأنندافععنها،ْوَعَنِسَائِرِ
الصَّحَابَةأَجْمَعِينَ،خُصُوصاَاِألَنْصَارْمِنْهُموَالمُهَاجِرِينَ،ِوَعَنَالتَّابِعِينوَتَابِعِيَالتَّابِعِينْوَمَنْتَبِعَهُم
بِإِحْسَانإِلَىِيَوْمِالدِين.َّ
اللَّهُمِاهْدَوُالَةِأُمُورَالمُسْلِمِينلِمَاَيُرْضِيكِوَالِتِبَاعِسُنَّةَنَبِيِكصَلَّىُهللاِعَلَيْهوَسَلَّمَ،ْوَثَبِتْأَقْدَامَهُمعَلَىِ
الصِرَاطالمُسْتَقِيمِ،ْوَأَصْلِحْهُميَاَّرَبَالْعَالَمِين.َّ
اللَّهُمْبَارِكعَلَىشُيُوخِنَا،وَعَلَى رئيسنا،وَعَلَىأَمِيرِنَا،وَعَلَىِجَمِيعِأُمَرَاءِوَزُعَمَاءَالمُسْلِمِين.َّ
اللَّهُمْبَارِكعَلَىَالمُسْلِمِينفِيِهَذِهالمَدِينَةِ،ْوَوَفِ قْهُملِمَاُتُحِبُّهُوَتَرْضَاهيَاَأَكْرَمَاألَكْرَمِين.َّ
اللَّهُمَّأَعِزَاإلِسْالَموَالمُس ِْْلمِينَ،اللهم ألف بين قلوبنا، ووحد صفوفنا، واجعلنا يا رب العالمين من عبادك
الصالحين.اللهم اجعلنا من عمار مساجدك، واجعلنا من الذين يستمعون القول فيتبعون أحسنه. اللهم اغفر
لنا ذنوبنا، وكفر عنا سيئاتنا، وتوفنا مع األبرار. ربنا آتنا في الدنيا حسنة وفي اْلخرة حسنة وقنا عذاب
النار.َّ
إِنَهللاُيَامُرِبِالْعَدْلِوَاإلِحْسَانِوَإِيتَاءذِيالْقُرْبَى،وَيَنْهَىِعَنِالْفَحْشَاءِوَالمُنكَروَالْبَغْيِ،ْيَعِظُكُمْلَعَلَّكُم
تَذَّكَّرُونَ،ُوَلَذِكْرِهللاُأَكْبَرُوَهللاُيَعْلَممَاَتَصْنَعُون.ْوَقُومُواإِلَىْصَالتِكُمُيَرْحَمُكُمُهللا.
Imam-Khatib
Sh. Isma-eel Isaacs
26.07.2024