Dear Folks
The Mosque in Islamic history was the focal point where political,
social, and religious activities were perfectly blended together. The
concept of Islamic ideology paid as much attention to a man's well-
being and welfare in this world as much as the life hereafter. In this
sense the role of the mosque has always been instrumental in the
social-moral and political uplift of the Muslim community. However, in
the later period after Khilafat-e-Ra****da, the period of first four
pious caliphs with the decline of the political supremacy of the
Muslims resulting in their disintegration under foreign rule, the
concept and role of the mosque also underwent fundamental changes.
Consequently the active and dynamic role the mosque played in the life
of the Ummah in the period of our prophet and caliphs was reduced to a
place of rituals and wor****p. The later concept continues up to today.
This has not only rendered the mosque ineffective as a center of
social uplift but it has rather indirectly or directly increased the
sectarianism and parochialism among Muslims. It is therefore of
paramount im****tance that the present concept of the role of mosques
be analysed and redefined in the light of its original concept and
function in the days of the Prophet and in the context of the present
needs of the Muslim community.
(1) Mosques have lost their social character much more so in cities.
More emphasis is given on the neutral role of the mosque in society
and is no more a part of the social life of the Community.
(2) Mosques tend to belong to sects, localities but not to the Muslim
community as a whole.
(3) With the exception of a few mosques, persons from other sects are
not allowed in some mosques. Strange it may look but the entrance of
other sects in some mosques is forbidden by notices written on their
main doors i.e. Masjid Hanfiah, Masjid Gausia, Masjid Ahle-Hadith etc.
(4) Islam does not advocate the division of loyalty towards God and
Caesar. The mosque was not only a place of wor****p, but also the
center of political, social and military activities in early Islam.
Due to various political and historical reasons the role of mosque was
reduced to a place of wor****p only. In order to revive the mosque at
least as a center for community, it is essential to study the role and
function of the mosque built by the Holy Prophet when he migrated from
Makkah to Medina. Intention here is not to delve into details but a
casual look at Islamic literature will reveal that the mosque was a
place for Salaat as well as a center of tem****al activities. The
concept of holiness is alien to the Islamic concept of mosque and is a
later development. by - Maqbool Farhat
Cheers
Nawaz
Religion Islam
http://www.parvez-video.com
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