Importance of establishing Masajid

Importance of establishing Masâjid

Masajid are known as the sha'air (salient features) of Islâm. Just as a Monk is recognised by his habit or white garb, a Hindu woman by her red dot, a Jew by his diminutive hat, a Muslim locality is recognised thorough a Masjid in its vicinity. From the time of the Holy Prophet Sallallahu alayhi wasallam up to present times, wherever Muslims settled, they erected Masajid. Thus, the first Masjid to be built in Islâm was at Quba, a town on the outskirts of Madinah. After having acquired freedom from the tortures and harassment at Makkah, the first safe haven which the Muslims found before Madinah, was Quba. The Holy Prophet Sallallahu alayhi wasallam lost no time to erect a Masjid there, although he only stayed for three weeks there before he continued towards Madinah as the final stage of his hijrah (emigration).

The Holy Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu alayhi wasallam is reported to have said: "Wherever the hour of prayer overtakes you, perform your prayers in a Masjid." (Muslim) In addition to providing a serene environment for performing salat and for contemplation, the Masjid is a gathering place for Muslims. They gather here five times a day to inquire of the welfare of each other, and strengthen their allegiance to Islâm. It is a place where unity is made and kept. This all-important function of the Masjid becomes more pressing in places where Muslims have newly settled (like after the abolishment of the group areas act in SA). Here, they have to maintain their Islâm, and strengthen it. If this is not done, they will slowly lose their identities as Muslims, and fall prey to Christian missionaries and the decadent western way of living and thinking.

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