Author: Abu Ayesha
Shinto Religion (Part 24)
Introduction: Temples and places of supplication and worship are among the most important locations in all religions. The center of worship and devotion is that place where every human being, regardless of belief or conviction, when faced with problems, hardships, and worries, enters and raises his hands toward his Lord and Deity to resolve his difficulty and be saved from calamity and affliction.
Continuing the discussion of comparison between the sacred religion of Islam and the Shinto religion, we now arrive at one of the most significant institutions in both traditions: mosques and temples where people engage in worship. In this section of the research, we will examine the differences between these centers in the two faiths.
The Status of Mosques in Islam
The mosque in Islam is the center of social security and the beating heart of the Islamic community. It is the place where hearts gather, worries are removed, and where people bow and worship the Creator of the heavens and the earth. The mosque is the descent point of angels and the close servants of Allah; a place directly connected with the heavens.
The mosque is not merely a place for prayer and worship, but rather the symbol of religious and social life of the Islamic community. When Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) migrated from Makkah al-Mukarramah to Madinah al-Munawwarah and settled there, the very first step he took for unity, cohesion, solidarity, and connection between the Muhajirun and the Ansar was the construction of a mosque. Thus, in Islam, the mosque is the first center of communication among Muslims; a place where they meet each morning and evening and learn of each other’s conditions.
To understand more about the greatness and status of the mosque in the sight of Allah the Exalted and the Noble Messenger of Islam (PBUH), and to know what position the mosque holds in Islam, we turn to the most important sources of Islamic law: the Qur’an and the Sunnah.
The Status of Mosques in the Qur’an and Hadith
Building a mosque is a sign of faith in Allah and the Last Day. Allah the Exalted says about it: “إِنَّمَا يَعْمُرُ مَسَاجِدَ اللَّهِ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَأَقَامَ الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَى الزَّكَاةَ وَلَمْ يَخْشَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ فَعَسَىٰ أُو۟لَٰئِكَ أَن يَكُونُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلْمُهْتَدِينَ [1]” Translation: Only those shall maintain the mosques of Allah who believe in Allah and the Last Day, establish prayer, give zakat, and fear none but Allah. It is they who are expected to be among the rightly guided.
Elsewhere, regarding the status and dignity of mosques, He says: “ “وَأَنَّ ٱلْمَسَاجِدَ لِلَّهِ فَلَا تَدْعُوا۟ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ أَحَدًا [2]” Translation: And the mosques are for Allah, so do not invoke anyone along with Allah. In this verse, Allah attributes the mosque to Himself, which is an attribution of honor and exaltation. What greatness could be higher than this!
Preventing people from mosques and worship therein is oppression and injustice. Allah the Exalted says: “وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن مَّنَعَ مَسَاجِدَ ٱللَّهِ أَن يُذْكَرَ فِيهَا ٱسْمُهُ وَسَعَىٰ فِي خَرَابِهَا [3]” Translation: And who is more unjust than one who prevents the name of Allah from being mentioned in His mosques and strives toward their destruction.
The most beloved places to Allah are mosques. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “أحب البلاد إلی الله مساجدها [4]” Translation: The most beloved places to Allah are its mosques.
Because these houses are the places of obedience, worship, and servitude to Allah the Exalted.
Constructing a mosque in this world causes Allah the Exalted to build for a person a house in Paradise similar to what he built on earth. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “من بنى مسجدا لله عزوجل بنى الله له مثله في الجنة [5]” Translation: Whoever builds a mosque for the sake of Allah the Mighty and Majestic, Allah will build for him a house like it in Paradise.
Worship, teaching, and studying the Qur’an in mosques bring down mercy and cause angels to descend. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “وما اجتمع قوم في بیت من بیوت الله، یتلون کتاب الله، ویتدارسونه بینهم إلا نزلت علیهم السکینة، وغشیتهم الرحمة، وحفتهم الملائکة وذکرهم الله فیمن عنده [6]” Translation: No group gathers in one of the houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and studying it together, except that tranquility descends upon them, mercy envelops them, angels surround them, and Allah mentions them among those who are with Him.
Connection with the mosque and frequent attendance leads to salvation in the Hereafter. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “سبعة یظلهم الله في ظله یوم لا ظل إلا ظله… ورجل قلبه معلق فی المساجد [7]” Translation: Seven types of people Allah will shade under His shade on the Day when there is no shade but his… and among them is a man whose heart is attached to the mosques.
Dr. Ramadan al-Bouti (RA) writes about the importance of mosques in Fiqh al-Sirah: “Without doubt, establishing and building the mosque is the first and most important pillar in the structure of the Islamic community; for the Islamic society gains firmness and strength by adhering to the Islamic system, creed, and manners, all of which originate from the mosque and its revelation.” [8]
The mosque is the place where bonds of brotherhood, fraternity, and love among Muslims are strengthened. It is where Muslims learn equality, justice, and fairness. In the mosque, the most distinguished individuals stand shoulder to shoulder with the poorest before the Lord of the worlds, bowing and prostrating to Him. In this sacred place, no one sees himself as superior, nor does anyone feel superiority.
If we wish to briefly describe the role of mosques, it can be summarized in three points:
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Mosques as Centers of Connection
Mosques are centers of connection among members of large Islamic communities. In the past, individuals of a large community who did not know each other would gather in mosques, meet, introduce themselves, and feel united as a part of one nation the Islamic Ummah. By the blessing of mosques, no Muslim in any Islamic country felt lonely.
Note: Although today circumstances are somewhat difficult and trust cannot be easily established, the mosque still serves as a strong link among people of a region. It gathers them together, and especially those connected with mosques learn of each other’s conditions and strive to solve one another’s problems.
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Mosques as Origins of Islamic Groups
Often, the nucleus of new Islamic communities and groups began from mosques. Muslim merchants or migrants in other countries, in order to attract the people of that land or city toward Islam, would establish special places. Their efforts caused people to join them, leading to the formation of Islamic communities. History is full of such examples.
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Mosques as Centers of Da‘wah (Invitation to Islam)
Mosques are inherently centers of invitation to Islam. Therefore, if Muslims wish to strengthen the foundations of Islam in a country or expand its scope, they must increase their efforts in building mosques. [9]
To be continued…
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References:
- Surah al-Tawbah, Ayah 18.
- Surah al-Jinn, Ayah 18.
- Surah al-Baqarah, Ayah 114.
- Muslim, Sahih Muslim, Kitab Fadl al-Julus fi Musallahu, Vol. 1, p. 464, Hadith no. 288.
- Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 1, p. 447, Hadith no. 442.
- Muslim, Sahih Muslim, Kitab Fadl al-Ijtima‘ ‘ala Tilawat al-Qur’an, Vol. 4, p. 274, Hadith no. 38.
- Muslim, Sahih Muslim, Kitab Fadl Ikhfa’ al-Sadaqah, Vol. 2, p. 715, Hadith no. 91.
- al-Bouti, Muhammad Sa‘id Ramadan. Fiqh al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah. 1411H / 1991 CE, pp. 213–214.
- Mu’nas, Husayn. al-Masajid. 1978 CE, p. 37.
