In the name of Allaah, Most Beneficent and Most Merciful
A Hadith states that Nabi Sallallahu alayhi wasallam said that a person who builds a Masjid for the sake of Allah Ta’ala, Allah Ta’la will in return build a house for him in Jannah. (Bukhari, Muslim)
It is also stated that the most liked of places on Earth are the Masjids and the most disliked places on Earth are the bazaars.
Rasulullah (saw) said, when a person passes away, all his actions terminate but three; knowledge through which people benefit, sadaqa Jaariyya(recurring) and a pious child who makes dua for the parents. Building a musjid on behalf of the mother will certainly be sadaqa Jaariyya as people will perform salaah and other righteous deeds there. Your mother will be rewarded for all that, Insha-Allah.
Therefore, Masjid is a Sadaqah Jariyah, i.e. one will be earning reward until people will be praying salat in the Masjid.
Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah Radiyallahu anhu has narrated that Rasulullah Sallallahu alayhi w! asallam has said when you pass by the gardens of Jannat then eat from its fruit. It was asked Ya Rasulullah what are the gardens of Jannat? He (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) replied the ‘Masajid’. Then it was asked Ya Rasulullah what is meant by eating its fruit? He replied ‘to read Kalima Subahanallahi walhamdulillahi wa la ilaha illallahu wallaahu akbar. [Tirmidhi]
It must be considered that it is not necessary to make a masjid without a need of it when charity is needed elsewhere (i.e. the miskeen and other dependants). Today it is seen that when one wills to give sadaqah, then it is given to the Masjid even if the Masjid may not be in need of it. Therefore, we should look at where sadaqah and charity is needed most at this time, and spend it there. If in the city there are many poor, miskeen, and needy people then it will be more virtuous to distribute money to them. Or if an area does not have a Masjid then it is more virtuous to spend in making a Masjid. Or if in the city, Islamic Madaris are in need of money then it is more virtuous to spend it there. Overall, in giving charity one should see where it is needed most, and then look at other ranks.
During the time of Nabi Sallallahu alayhi wasallam the Masjid was a very simple structure. The pillars were of date trunks. The roof of date leaves. Unbaked bricks for walls.
Similar conditions remained during the time of Sayyidina Abu Bakr Radhiyallhu anhu and Sayyidina Umar Radhiyallahu anhu.
During the Khilafat of Sayyidina Umar radhiyallahu anhu, he instructed that Masjid be built in such a manner that people be safeguarded from the rain, sun and cold. He also showed a great dislike of decorating the Masjid with any colours. This was a time when the treasures of the world were pouring into the Islamic empire. ! Despite this economic surge Hadhrat Umar Radhiyallahu anhu maintained that simple masjids be built. [Tasheelul Fiqh 11]
Masajid should be very simple. The wall facing the Qibla should not be lavishly patterned, with flowers; writings, paintings etc. as this causes the mind of the musalli to dwell and are a distraction while in salaah.
To decorate Masjid walls and floors (with floral design or embroidery, etc.), which diverts people’s attention from salat is makrooh- and (even more makrooh) especially if it is on the Mihrab or on the wall facing the qibla. [Shami]
In a Hadith Hadhrat Umar Radiyallahu anhu narrates that Nabi Sallallahu alayhi wasallam said when people’s work becomes (debauched or deteriorate) then they begin to decorate their Masajid (with carved, engraved, floral designs, etc.) [Ibn Majah] – [Aadaabul Masaajid by Mufti Muhammad Shafi’ sahib]
Hadrat Abu Hurayrah Radiyallahu anhu says that Nabi Sallallahu alayhi wasallam said when you begin to adorn your Masajid (with such beautifications that interfere in namaaz), and when you a! dorn the Quran’s in such a way (that it is a disturbance in the heart) then know that this is your time of destruction. [Muntakhab alKanz] – [Aadaabul Masaajid by Mufti Muhammad Shafi’ sahib]
Hadhrat Ibn Abbas Radhiyallahu anhu says that excessive decoration of the Masajid is a custom of the Jews and Christians. And in a tone of grief he predicted ‘you will decorate the Masajid the way the Jews and Christians did’. [Abu Dawud] – [Aadaabul Masaajid by Mufti Muhammad Shafi’ sahib]
Wasting funds on the beautification of the Masjid is among the practices of the Jews and Christians. Lots of money is utilized in the beautifying of their places of worship. It is incorrect to overspend and be extravagant in the building of masjids. Besides, this is one of the fundamental causes for creating pride and haughtiness in the community.
It is stated in the Hadith that “Qiyaamat will not come until people will take pride (boast) in the building of Masaajid.” – [Tasheelul Fiqh 11]
Today in various places, some people build beautiful Masajid to boast with other Masajids. This is not permissible. A place where a Masjid already exists, and there is no need to build another, then it would be more virtuous to spend the money in some other charity.
Remember, that it is a sunnat cleaning the Masjid and a necessity, but excessive adorning, embroidering, etc. is makrooh. However, if carving is done of wood or tassels are used, etc. then there is no harm. But it is still better not to do this. It says in Khulasatul Fatawa, that rather than adorning (permissible decorations in Masajid), it is better to distribute that money among the poor and needy.
Any Masjid should have basic amenities. The Masjid should be built in such a manner that the musallis are protected from rain, sun and cold. The Ulama (Scholars) have granted permission in beautifying the Masjids with the intention of honouring and elevating the status of the house of Allah Ta’ala. But this should be done with one’s own wealth and not from the waqf money (public donation). It will be totally incorrect for the trustees to use public funds on decorations, colourful paintings and fancy patterns on the walls etc. If the mutawallis (trustees) are careless with public funds they will have to answer on the Day of Qiyaamat for the misuse of waqf wealth. The money collected from the public is a trust. At no time should the mutawalli use the money according to his own discretion. He should always be mindful of the teaching of Nabi Sallallahu alayhi wasallam. If the Masjid is beautified with one’s own funds then too it will be makrooh to apply such decorations which causes the musalli to lose concentration in Salaah, so much so that the musalla should be a very simple one. Therefore care should be taken in planning the Masjid that it be plain and simple and public funds not wasted on expensive and elaborate domes, etc. [Tasheelul Fiqh 11]
Wallahu A’alam
CHECKED & APPROVED: Mufti Ebrahim Desai with following comments: This article is prepared by a Aalima sister from America. This should serve to encourage our womanfolk to educate themselves on Islam and serve the Ummah
COURTESY: http://www.alinaam.org.za/fataawa