What are the etiquettes of visiting masjid?
When it comes to the etiquettes of visiting mosque (Masjid), Muslims hold a deep reverence for this sacred space. The mosque (Masjid) holds a special place in the hearts of Muslims around the world. It’s It is not just a physical structure; it is a symbol of unity among Muslims, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries. It stands as a constant reminder of the presence of Allah in the lives of believers, offering a sanctuary where they can seek solace, guidance, and a profound spiritual connection.
What does 'Masjid' mean?
The literal meaning of the Arabic word “Masjid” (مَسْجِد) is a place of prostration. It is derived from the Arabic root ” سَجَدَ ” which means “to prostrate”.
What is the terminological meaning of the Masjid?
A sacred space where Muslims gather for prayers, particularly the five daily prayers, and engage in acts of worship, reflection, and community.
etiquettes of visiting Mosque
To maintain the sanctity and respect of the masjid, it’s essential to observe proper manners and etiquette. In this article, we’ll explore some simple guidelines to help you navigate your visit to the mosque with respect and courtesy.
1. Dress Modestly:
Allah says:
يَا بَنِي آدَمَ خُذُوا زِينَتَكُمْ عِندَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ
O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid Al-Quran – 7:31
When you go to the mosque, it’s important to dress respectfully. That means wearing clean clothes and long pants. Don’t let your pants hang too low below your ankles. A dress that a person does not feel inferior by wearing in a prestigious gathering. Avoid wearing tight clothes that show the shape of your private areas.
Women should wear loose-fitting Hijab that covers their entire body, including a headscarf (hijab). This modest attire shows respect for the sacredness of the mosque.
2. Remove Your Shoes:
Remove your shoes and place them in the designated area. This practice keeps the prayer area clean and symbolizes humility before entering a sacred space.
3. Silence Your Mobile Phone:
A ringing phone can disrupt the peaceful atmosphere of the masjid. Ensure your mobile phone is in silent mode or turned off before entering the mosque.
4. Maintain Silence:
Avoid loud conversations and unnecessary noise. The mosque is a place of worship and reflection, so respect the tranquility of the environment.
5. Don't talk about worldly matters in masjid
Al-Hasan reported in mursal form that God’s Messenger said,
وَعَنِ الْحَسَنِ مُرْسَلًا قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «يَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ يَكُونُ حَدِيثُهُمْ فِي مَسَاجِدِهِمْ فِي أَمْرِ دُنْيَاهُمْ. فَلَا تُجَالِسُوهُمْ فَلَيْسَ لِلَّهِ فِيهِمْ حَاجَةٌ» . رَوَاهُ الْبَيْهَقِيّ فِي شعب الْإِيمَان “A time is coming when people will talk in their mosques about their worldly affairs, so do not sit with them, for God has nothing to do with them.”
6. Avoid Crossing in Front of Praying Individuals:
Abu Juhaim reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
If anyone who passes in front of a man who is praying knew the responsibility he incurs, he would stand still forty (years) rather than to pass in front of him Abu Nadr said: I do not know whether he said forty days or months or years. Muslim
7. Avoid eating raw onion - when going to masjid
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “Whoever eats this vegetable (raw onion) should not come to our mosques.” This hadith includes anything that causes bad breath.
8. Enter with your right foot
Anas bin Malik Radiyallahu Anhu says:
من السنة إذا دخلت المسجد ان تبدا برجلك اليمنى، وإذا خرجت ان تبدا برجلك اليسرى
It is a Sunnah that when you enter the mosque, you should start with your right foot and when you leave, you should start with your left foot. (Al-Hakim)
9. recite Dua when entering the masjid
اَللّٰهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِيْ أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ
English Transliteration: Allahummaftahli Abwaba Rahmatika.
English Translation: Ya Allah! Open for me the doors of your mercy.
10. Tahiyyatul Masjid
Perform two rakats of Tahiyyatul Masjid if you have time before the congregational prayer begins.
عَنْ أَبِي قَتَادَةَ السَّلَمِيِّ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ “ إِذَا دَخَلَ أَحَدُكُمُ الْمَسْجِدَ فَلْيَرْكَعْ رَكْعَتَيْنِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَجْلِسَ ”.
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “If anyone of you enters a mosque, he should pray two rak`at before sitting.” Bukhari:444
11. walking unhurriedly
Abu Hurairah ؓ said:
أَنَّ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ “ إِذَا أُقِيمَتِ الصَّلاَةُ فَلاَ تَأْتُوهَا تَسْعَوْنَ، وَأْتُوهَا تَمْشُونَ عَلَيْكُمُ السَّكِينَةُ، فَمَا أَدْرَكْتُمْ فَصَلُّوا، وَمَا فَاتَكُمْ فَأَتِمُّوا ”.
I heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) saying, “If the prayer is started do not run for it but just walk for it calmly and pray whatever you get, and complete whatever is missed. “
12. Don't buy and sale
Abu Hurairah narrated:
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ “ إِذَا رَأَيْتُمْ مَنْ يَبِيعُ أَوْ يَبْتَاعُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَقُولُوا لاَ أَرْبَحَ اللَّهُ تِجَارَتَكَ وَإِذَا رَأَيْتُمْ مَنْ يَنْشُدُ فِيهِ ضَالَّةً فَقُولُوا لاَ رَدَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ ” .
That the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “When you see someone selling or buying in the Masjid then say: ‘May Allah not profit your business.’ And when you see someone announcing about something lost then say: ‘May Allah not return it to you.'”
13. Women not go to masjid wearing perfume
Abu Hurairah narrated:
عَنْ زَيْنَبَ، امْرَأَةِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ قَالَتْ قَالَ لَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ إِذَا شَهِدَتْ إِحْدَاكُنَّ الْمَسْجِدَ فَلاَ تَمَسَّ طِيبًا ” .
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to us: When any one of you comes to the mosque, she should not apply perfume.
14. The Sutrah - Pray Facing A Sutrah
Talha bin Ubaidullah said:
عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ طَلْحَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ إِذَا وَضَعَ أَحَدُكُمْ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِثْلَ مُؤْخِرَةِ الرَّحْلِ فَلْيُصَلِّ وَلاَ يُبَالِ مَنْ مَرَّ وَرَاءَ ذَلِكَ ” .
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: When one of you places in front of him so me. thing such as the back of a saddle, he should pray without caring who passes on the other side of it. Tirmidi
15. Recite Dua when leaving masjid
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ
English Transliteration: Allahumma inni Asaluka min Fadhlik.
English Translation: Ya Allah! I ask you to your bounty.
We go to the mosque to worship and our main goal is to make Allah happy and earn His blessings. However, if we don’t pay attention – to etiquettes of visiting masjid – to the proper behavior and rules in the mosque and we break them, instead of earning rewards, we might end up committing sins.
