Glorifying the houses of God and the etiquette of those who visit them
First sermon
Praise be to God, who raised the status of mosques and exalted their status, and commanded their purification and the honor of their visitors. I bear witness that there is no god but God alone, with no partner. He made venerating His rituals part of the piety of hearts. I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger, the best of those who pray and purify themselves, and the purest who steps upon the ground. May God’s blessings and peace be upon him and his family and companions.As for what follows:
I advise you and myself to fear God.It is the best provision for the Day of Resurrection.O you who have believed, fear God as He should be feared, and do not die except as Muslims.(Al Imran: 102).
Servants of God, every Muslim should know that mosques are the houses of God on earth, and they are the most beloved places to Him. Because they are beacons of guidance on earth, God Almighty chose them to be places for His remembrance and incubators for His worship. The Almighty said:In houses that God has permitted to be raised and His name to be mentioned in them, He is glorified therein in the mornings and the evenings.(Al-Nour: 36).
On the authority of Abu Hurairah – may God be pleased with him – that the Messenger of God – may God bless him and grant him peace – said: “The most beloved country to God is its mosques»; [Narrated by Muslim].
Indeed, part of the perfection of faith is to glorify and venerate these homes, and to stay away from everything that harms those praying in them. Glorifying the mosque is one of glorifying the rituals of religion. God Almighty said:That and whoever honors the rituals of God, they are part of the piety of hearts.(Al-Hajj: 32).
O worshippers, one of the requirements of this glorification is to maintain the cleanliness of the mosques, protect them from harm, and perfume their fragrance, so that the worshiper feels tranquility and reverence. The matter was not limited to the interior of the mosque only, but also included its facilities. Such as places of ablution and other things. On the authority of Aisha – may God be pleased with her – she said: “The Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, ordered that mosques be built in homes and that they be cleaned and perfumed»; [Narrated by Abu Dawud and Al-Tirmidhi].
Brothers of faith,Here we stand on an important warning that some people take out of caution, which is “reserving places” in the first rows, whether by placing a rug or some object, then leaving the mosque, or reserving a place for others. This act is a clear violation of the rights of those who arrived early, and it contradicts the spirit of the competition that the Prophet – may God bless him and grant him peace – encouraged when he said: “If people knew what was in the call and the first row, and then had no choice but to draw shares for it, they would take shares»; [Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. The true racer is the one who sacrifices himself early, not the one who races ahead with a piece of cloth or a carpet while he is in his home or shop.One of us has had his share of arriving early as a sin by making people difficult or depriving them of a bounty to which they are more deserving. And seek reward by hastening and not by competing, and adhere to the etiquette of the houses of God that you may receive mercy.
I say this, and I ask God to forgive me and you for every sin, so seek His forgiveness. Indeed, He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
The second sermon
Praise be to God for His benevolence, thanks to Him for His success and gratitude, and blessings and peace be upon His Messenger who calls for His pleasure.As for after:
Know that the etiquette of the mosque extends to its thresholds and paths. One of the manifestations that do not befit the sanctity of the House of God is placing shoes randomly in the paths of worshipers and in front of doors. This causes harm to passers-by, especially the elderly and people with disabilities who may find it difficult to walk or stumble.
Our religion, which makes removing harm from the public road a charity, is more likely to be applied on the way to the houses of God. On the authority of Abu Hurairah – may God be pleased with him – on the authority of the Prophet – may God bless him and grant him peace – he said: “Removing harm from the road is charity»; [Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. So what about someone who puts harm in the way of those who pray?!
Servants of God,One of the harms prohibited by Islamic law is the closure of roads surrounding mosques due to incorrect or double parking of vehicles. Which restricts passers-by, closes the entrances to neighbors’ homes, or hinders emergency movement.
This behavior is inconsistent with the character of a Muslim who is committed to legal etiquette, and it is one of the negative aspects that offend mosque visitors.
Remember – my praying brother – that your prayer is a school of morals, so do not stop praying in which you ask for reward, while you have left behind a Muslim who gets hurt by your vehicle, or an old man who stumbles over your shoe.
Oh God, honor Islam and Muslims, and make us among those who honor Your homes, and make us among those who fulfill the rights of Your servants. Oh God, grant us success in what you love and are satisfied with, and guide us to righteousness and piety…. This, and pray and greet those whom God has commanded you to send blessings and peace upon, and he said:Indeed, God and His angels bless the Prophet. O you who have believed, bless him and grant him peace.(Al-Ahzab: 56).
O God, bless and grant peace upon Your servant and Messenger, our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his good and pure family, and may God be pleased with the Rightly-Guided Caliphs, and with all the other Companions and those who follow them in good deeds until the Day of Judgment.
Oh God, honor Islam and Muslims, humiliate polytheism and polytheists, and destroy your enemies, enemies of religion. Oh God, grant success to our guardian, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and his trustworthy crown prince, for what you love and are satisfied with.
Oh God, provide them with a good and advising lining that guides them to what pleases You, O Lord of the Worlds. Oh God, complete security and prosperity in our country, and make that a help for us in obeying You, O Lord of the Earth and Heaven. O God, grant victory to Your faithful servants above every earth and under every sky, and unite the word of Muslims on the truth, O Lord of the Worlds.
Servants of God,﴿Indeed, God commands justice, charity, and giving to relatives, and forbids indecency, abomination, and transgression. He exhorts you, so that you may remember.[An-Nahl: 90], So remember God the Great, and He will remember you, and thank Him for His blessings and He will increase you, and the remembrance of God is greater, and God knows what you do.