Masjid

From ilmpedia

The oldest mosque of the world is the Bayt al-Haram. It was built by Abraham (sws). The founder of the Jerusalem mosque is Da’ud (sws),^[1] while the mosque at Madinah was built by Prophet Muhammad (sws). All these three mosques carry unique significance. The Prophet (sws) has said that it is towards these three mosques that people can travel to pay homage to them and to pray in them.^[2] Praying in these mosques earns great reward.

Consequently, about the Bayt al-Haram he is reported to have said that praying in it is a hundred thousand times more rewarding than praying elsewhere, and about his mosque at Madinah, he has said that praying in it is a thousand times more rewarding than praying in any other mosque except the Bayt al-Haram.^[3] Apart from these, all mosques of the world built or yet to be built have equal status with regard to the reward they earn for a believer who prays in them. These mosques are not made for trade, entertainment or merry-making; they are reserved for the worship of the Almighty. The dearest of buildings in the sight of Allah are these mosques.^[4] Waiting for the prayer time in them is like praying itself.^[5] The farther people come to these places for worship, the more the reward they earn.^[6]

The etiquette of coming to the mosques which is mentioned in narratives is that when a person comes to the mosque, he should offer two rak‘at before sitting down, unless something prevents him to do so. This etiquette is greatly emphasized in various narratives.^[7] Moreover, it has also been narrated that when the Prophet (sws) would enter the mosque, he would seek the refuge of the Almighty from the Satan.^[8]

It is also narrated that the Prophet (sws) said: “When anyone among you enters a mosque, he should say:

O God! Open for me the doors of your mercy and when he leaves it, he should say:

O God! I seek from you your blessings).” ^[9]

References

1. ↑ It was completed by Solomon (sws) and is also called the Temple of Solomon by the Jews
2. ↑ Al-Bukhari, Al-Jami‘ al-sahih, 190-191, (no. 1197); Muslim, Al-Jami‘ al-sahih, 584, (no. 3384).
3. ↑ Al-Bukhari, Al-Jami‘ al-sahih, 190, (no. 1190); Muslim, Al-Jami‘ al-sahih, 582-583, (no. 3374); Ibn Majah, Sunan, vol. 2, 186, (no. 1406).
4. ↑ Muslim, Al-Jami‘ al-sahih, 271, (no. 1528).
5. ↑ Al-Bukhari, Al-Jami‘ al-sahih 106, (no. 647).
6. ↑ Al-Bukhari, Al-Jami‘ al-sahih, 106, (no. 651); Muslim, Al-Jami‘ al-sahih, 268-269, (nos. 1513, 1518, 1519).
7. ↑ Al-Bukhari, Al-Jami‘ al-sahih, 77, (no. 444); Muslim, Al-Jami‘ al-sahih, 290, (no.1654).
8. ↑ Abu Da’ud, Sunan, vol. 1, 124, (no. 466).
9. ↑ Muslim, Al-Jami‘ al-sahih, 289, (no. 1652).