What makes and excellent Masjid?
A Query for the Muslim Ummah
Role of Shari'ah v/s Personal Interest
Al-Hamdo LilLah, a new Masjid is rapidly coming up in Rosemount, MN. It is already off to a glorious start. The folks behind it, may Allah Ta'aala Subhaanahoo bless them with health and happiness are doing some wonderful work. This is apparent from the results already achieved. As an example of their devotion and contemplation, the community has been challenged with a very pertinent question: “What makes an excellent Masjid”. Asif Rehman, one of the main actors in this endeavour has brought out a comprehensive and fully relevant and well worded list of topics that should be considered. He writes as hereunder:
“My task is to collect multiple opinions and perspectives for this question.
I plan to reach out to several separate groups of leaders.
Once collected, your opinions will be used to design a “Masjid Best Practices Award” that Masjids will be invited to apply for.
It is hoped that the process of applying for these awards will cause the leadership of various Masjids to consider applying “Masjid Best Practices” in their communities.
Here is an initial tentative list:
1. Diverse Scholars
(Multiple voices, Diverse view points)
2. Diverse Audience
(Age, Gender, Ethnicity, Income)
3. Empowering Youth
(Activities, input, involvement)
4. Empowering Women
(Activities, input, involvement)
5. Political & Interfaith Engagement
(Masjid has outreach committee, Political leaders visiting masjid, Muslim Day at the Capitol, Interfaith dinners, partnership with neighbor church)
6. Social Services to Muslim Community
(Nikah, counselling, clinic, food shelf, tutoring, training)
7. Services to Non Muslim Community
(Food shelf, clinic)
8. Financial Excellence
(Annual budget, board receives monthly financial reports and check register, files 990)
9. Organizational Excellence
(Bylaws, elections, strategic plan)”
You will agree, all of us should respond to it as it relates to a very significant problem facing Muslim communities living as a minority. I do not have any practical suggestion off now. However, I would like to venture a few suggestions about the basics which are central to the project.
Masaajid have also to be community centers so that they can serve the community in addition to providing a center for prayers. But a community center as against a masjid cum community center are two entirely different propositions. The latter has a religious component which brings in the Shari’ah and some mandatory rules and objectives to follow before constructing an “Allah kaa ghar".
The motive and the driving force behind any act is of paramount importance if it is to be registered in the court of Allah Ta'aala Subhaanahoo. It has to be done only and solely for HIS “bandagi and “ibaa’dah” — HIS pleasure with total submission and surrender. Only for the Cause and not for the Applause. Any element of personal interest — fame, ego, importance etc. — will eliminate the masjid part in the project; of course community center will remain in tact. It is the lack of this element that is responsible for the surprising and strong controversies about the construction and management of Masaajid that we used to see at home. Unfortunately it is not uncommon I understand here in US also. If the incentive is only to please HIM and earn HIS rewards in the hereafter, this dispute is simply unthinkable.
Our Youth are our most treasured possession. “Empowering” them is an excellent idea with one caveat. In American culture “youth” is a special entity: a group that has stepped out of the family into the society which then guides them; makes rules for them; decides the rights and wrongs for them. In the prevalent life styIe here, there is a tendency to idealize children, encouraging too much precocity too early in life. I feel we as Muslims should guard against this approach. “Youth” continue to remain our children as members of our family. As they grow they get bigger and get taller. Their needs, tastes, attitudes and demands also develop and should be respected. However the rules of a Muslim family —the Divine injunction of respect, regard and obedience (till a certain level of emotional and intellectual development) for the parents —applies to them as “youth” as much as they did earlier in their life. It is imperative that this teaching remains part of their “empowerment”.
Political & Interfaith Engagement are very important for Muslim to acquire some importance, relevance, power and authority in the society we are living in. However I feel it should start with me, my person. I should have the right type of feelings and opinions about the Government, the people and Judeo-Christian community. My sentiments should be based on honest assessment, Islamic principles of justice and fair play and not on age old prejudices. I should be able to express them in any forum, loud and clear. I should feel honest about it to my conscience, to my country and to my God. An internal soul searching is needed to expect God’s help for Real success in this Engagement with our fellow citizens and other religious groups.
