The cleanliness of the Masajid

By (Mufti) Abraar Alli

The religion of Islam being a natural way of life is promotes many simple, yet essential values to our existence. Islam lays a lot of importance to respect, etiquettes and moral conduct which can be found throughout the Quran and Sunnah.
An example of this is found where Allah Ta’ala has honoured and revered the Masajid, This entails that everyone else also follows in this order. Allah Ta’ala associates the respect shown to the symbols of Islam (here the Masjid) with the grand quality of Taqwa:
وَمَن يُعَظِّمْ شَعَائِرَ اللهِ فَإِنَّهَا مِن تَقْوَى الْقُلُوبِ
Those who show respect to the signs of Allah Ta’ala for this is from the Taqwa of the heart (Surah Hajj)
The Masajid are the houses of Allah from which the radiance of Iman emanates. The angels also frequent theses houses and participate in the activities held within it. It also has the love of those pious servants of Ar-Rahman who will get shade on the day of Qiyaamah because of their love for the Masjid. Hence, the Masjid is a manifestation of our civilization and the basis of our identity. Its maintenance and up-keeping is one of the methods that draws reward, compassion and forgiveness from Allah Ta’ala.
At the period of Prophet hood there was a Woman who swept the Masjid of Rasūlullāh. Suddenly Rasūlullāh (PBUH) noticed that she went missing after a few days and inquired about her. He was told that she had passed away and buried. So he replied: You should have taken permission from me (before burying her) then he went to her grave and prayed for her.
This was the great honour and importance given to the cleaner of the Masjid. She earned this status in the eyes of the Messenger of Allah for her noble participation with the Masjid.
The Masjid is supposed to be kept clean and pure from impurities. They are supposed to be perfumed and beautified. There is supposed to be vigilance by every worshipper to fulfil the duties of these sacred sanctuaries which reflects the completeness of Iman. This is mentioned in the Hadith also:
” أمر رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ببناء المساجد في الدُّور وأن تنظف وتطيب” روى أبو داود
That ‘Aa’ishah said: The Messenger of Allah PBUH commanded that mosques be built among houses and that they be cleaned and perfumed.
(Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud)

The Messenger of Allah not only encouraged the cleaning of the Masjid but practically demonstrated it with his noble actions. He made a statement to all of the Muslims that whoever it be, they should not hesitate in doing this meritious act of purifying the masjid.
. عائشة قالت “رأى في جدار القبلة مخاطا أو بصاقا أو نخامة فحكها ” رواه البخاري
‘Aa’ishah said: “He saw some Mucus/ phlegm on the wall of the mosque and scratched it off.” (Bukhari)
So the pure ambience of the physical structure should be kept in a high regard whether it be by those who are officially appointed to clean the Masjid or the mere worshippers who attend the virtuous place.

The Sunnah also emphasise the preparations required by each worshipper before he even enters the Masjid. This emphasis is in different forms; by giving virtue and reward to that person who purifies himself before attending; also by the explicitly encouraging and commanding it as mentioned in the Hadith.
قالَ النبيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم:«مَنْ اغْتَسَلَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ وَتَطَهَّرَ بِمَا اسْتَطَاعَ مِنْ طُهْرٍ ثُمَّ ادَّهَنَ أَوْ مَسَّ مِنْ طِيبٍ ثُمَّ رَاحَ، فَلَمْ يُفَرِّقْ بَيْنَ اثْنَيْنِ فَصَلَّى مَا كُتِبَ لَهُ، ثُمَّ إِذَا خَرَجَ الإِمَامُ أَنْصَتَ غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ الْجُمُعَةِ الأُخْرَى» رواه البخاري
The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, “Whoever takes a bath on Friday, purifies himself as much as he can, then uses oil or perfumes himself with the scent of his house, then proceeds and does not separate two persons sitting together (in the Masjid), then prays as much as (Allah has) written for him and then remains silent while the Imam is delivering the Khutbah, his sins in-between the present and the last Friday would be forgiven.” (Bukhari)

This hadith promotes cleanliness before going to the masjid. A person is prevented from coming to the masjid that does not practise personal hygiene and whose body or clothing emits foul odours:
وقدْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم :«مَنْ أَكَلَ مِنْ هَذِهِ الشَّجَرَةِ: الثُّومِ وَالْبَصَلِ وَالْكُرَّاثِ فَلاَ يَقْرَبْنَا فِى مَسَاجِدِنَا، فَإِنَّ الْمَلاَئِكَةَ تَتَأَذَّى مِمَّا يَتَأَذَّى مِنْهُ الإِنْسُ» رواه مسلم
The Messenger of Allah PBUH said: “Whoever eats onions or garlic or leeks, let him not come near our mosque, for the angels are offended by the same things (foul scents) that offend the sons of Adam.” (Muslim)
The worshipper’s body and clothes should be clean at all times and especially when he attends the Masjid, so as the angels will not be offended by him nor will his fellow-worshippers. So if anyone has an offensive odour, then he should certainly be mindful and not come in that state. For it is not allowed to annoy the angels and other worshippers with unpleasant smell. If he enters the mosque like that, he should be told to leave.
Imam An-Nawawi said: (regarding the one with foul scents) that the one who smells of garlic and onions, or anything similar, should be expelled from the mosque, and the evil (of polluting the fragrance of the Masjid) should be removed by hand if it is possible’’
As Muslims the importance of cleanliness is a very important part of our Religion and our way of life. And just as there is a strong requirement for personal hygiene, there is a greater emphasis for it to be applied to the houses of Allah Ta’ala i.e. The Masjid. We, in our commitment to doing the most rewarding actions should never hesitate in grabbing any opportunity to clean the Masjid. If this was the attitude of worshippers attending five times Salaah, then there would not be a need for maintenance staff at any Masjid of this country or the Muslim world at large.

May Allah grant us the ability to help clean his Sacred Houses Ameen.