In a previous post on Masjid etiquettes, I highlighted a Hadith prohibiting announcements of lost items or buying and selling in the Masjid, with admonishments like, “May Allah not return to you” and, “May Allah not bless your trade.” A sister asked why such words were used.
She said: Thank you so much for taking the effort and time to write this article! It has helped me (as a growing Muslimah) and many others. However, I don’t understand the Hadith mentioned in ‘Buy and Sale’. What I mean is the part about one’s lost item and why you must say, “May Allah not return to you.” I would appreciate it if you could answer my doubt.
Why Announcing lost items, buy & sell in the masjid are not permissible
عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، مَوْلَى شَدَّادِ بْنِ الْهَادِ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ، يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ مَنْ سَمِعَ رَجُلاً يَنْشُدُ ضَالَّةً فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَلْيَقُلْ لاَ رَدَّهَا اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ فَإِنَّ الْمَسَاجِدَ لَمْ تُبْنَ لِهَذَا ” رواہ مسلم
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: If anyone hears a man crying out in the mosque about something he has lost, he should say: May Allah not restore it to you, for the mosques were not built for this. Muslim
Understanding Hadith
The mosque holds a central and sacred place in Islam. It is not merely a structure for prayer but a haven dedicated to the worship of Allah, the remembrance of His name, and the disseminating of knowledge and guidance.
This sacred environment requires the preservation of its sanctity, free from worldly distractions and activities. However, certain practices, such as announcing lost items and engaging in buying and selling, have been explicitly discouraged.
In this post, we’d like to discuss a common question about this topic and shed light on the wisdom behind these rulings.
The Sancitity of the masjid
Mosques are built as sanctuaries for worship, reflection, and community learning. The Quran highlights their primary purpose:
وَأَنَّ الْمَسَاجِدَ لِلَّهِ فَلَا تَدْعُوا مَعَ اللَّهِ أَحَدًا (۱۸)
“And [He revealed] that the masjids are for Allah, so do not invoke with Allah anyone.” (Quran 72:18)
Engaging in worldly activities like announcing lost items or conducting trade compromises the spiritual focus of the mosque. These actions divert attention from worship and transform the mosque into a space of mundane transactions.
Understanding the Hadith
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) strongly emphasized maintaining the sanctity of mosques. He said:
أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: “إذا رأيتم من يبيع أو يبتاع في المسجد، فقولوا: لا أربح الله تجارتك، وإذا رأيتم من ينشد ضالة فقولوا: لا ردها الله عليك”. رواه الترمذي
The Messenger of Allah said, “When you see someone buying or selling in the mosque, say to him: ‘La arbaha-Allahu tijarataka (May Allah not make your bargain profitable)!’ When you see someone announcing something lost in it, say: ‘May Allah not restore it to you!”‘ Tirmidhi
These statements use strong language to deter such behaviors. The phrases “May Allah not return it to you” and “May Allah not grant you profit” serve as admonitions, ensuring people do not repeat these actions. They highlight the importance of respecting the mosque’s purpose and preserving its atmosphere.
Exceptions and allowances
While these rulings aim to maintain the mosque’s sanctity, there are exceptions where announcements are allowed:
Lost items within the mosque
- Lost Items Within the Mosque Premises: If an item is found within the mosque, it is permissible to announce it to help the rightful owner reclaim it.
Mising children
- Announcing the disappearance of a child is allowed due to the significance of human life and the urgency of such situations.
Funeral announcement
- Announcements related to funeral prayers or other essential religious matters are permissible and often necessary for community awareness.
wisdom behind the prohibition
The wisdom behind these prohibitions is to:
- Preserve the Mosque’s Spiritual Environment: Mosques are spaces of peace and devotion, free from worldly noise and distractions.
- Encourage Respect for Sacred Spaces: By discouraging worldly activities, the mosque’s sanctity and higher purpose are upheld.
- Prevent Misuse of Religious Spaces: Allowing trade or other unrelated activities can gradually diminish the mosque’s role as a house of worship.
Conclusion
To conclude, the mosque is a sacred space meant for prayer, remembrance, and learning. The Hadith’s stern language about announcing lost items or conducting trade serves as a deterrent to protect this sanctity.
However, exceptions like announcing lost items within the mosque or addressing urgent matters like missing children are made with wisdom and necessity in mind.
We must strive to honor the sanctity of mosques and use them for their intended purpose—to draw closer to Allah and foster spiritual growth. If you have any further questions or reflections, feel free to share them in the comments below. Let us continue learning and growing together as a community.
May Allah guide us all to respect and uphold the sanctity of His houses. Ameen.
