personally I think muslims spend way too much time designing and decorating mosques than actually using them as places of acquiring knowledge
can anyone give a picture of such lavish mosques from Prophet’s time or from the time of the pious caliphs for me that is 1,2 and 4 only]
when Islam became just a tool of imperialism in the hands of later kings, mosques became symbols of their power just like churches and temples were to kings before them.
personally I think muslims spend way too much time designing and decorating mosques than actually using them as places of acquiring knowledge
can anyone give a picture of such lavish mosques from Prophet's time or from the time of the pious caliphs for me that is 1,2 and 4 only]
when Islam became just a tool of imperialism in the hands of later kings, mosques became symbols of their power just like churches and temples were to kings before them.
Yeah, isn't it odd that we have lots of mosques all over the world, but if people want to learn about religion, they resort to popular websites like sunnipath, or this place (I'm sure there are many more)?
^ exactly I see that the community in my city spends so much time decorating mosques and not even 10% of that resources actually teaching the people about Islam.
secondly there is an acute shortage of books in mosques here with english translations ....most of the books in english are no better than propoganda leaflets intentionally or unintentionally spreading sectarian hatred.
Yeah, isn't it odd that we have lots of mosques all over the world, but if people want to learn about religion, they resort to popular websites like sunnipath, or this place (I'm sure there are many more)?
It's good to see people inviting others to the masjids for learning. MashAllah! Also there's nothing wrong in learning using media. Hey we watch movies and what not, why not use the technology to spread the deen.
^ exactly I see that the community in my city spends so much time decorating mosques and not even 10% of that resources actually teaching the people about Islam.
secondly there is an acute shortage of books in mosques here with english translations ....most of the books in english are no better than propoganda leaflets intentionally or unintentionally spreading sectarian hatred.
You have to go to the source (ie: Shura) and give your opinions. They are humans, they make mistakes, it's not their sole responsibility, they have a family to take care of, a job to goto.... it's the responsibility of all the attendees to clean the masjid and equip it with sound literature. so be a part of the community and inshAllah we will have more people attending and knowledge spreading. the first thing is to invite towards the masjid. this is very relevant, huge masjids but only 2 rows for salaah.
Well someone posted a thread over where which says when qiyama will be near, the dajjal will point out towards a "white palace" and that white palace will be Masjid-e-Nabvi.
Nice thread and down to earth reality. Muslims spend lavishly on their mosques yet you can probably find a poor neighborhood not far away from it.
About the e-learning and not coming to the mosques, this I would say has two sides. I think both should be encouraged. There is one advantage I have seen in learning through research or resources other than listening to your local Imam. It keeps you open minded and you tend to think more logically. Whereas people tend to gravitate and forms groups when learning through local Imams in there mosques. Sometimes when people present differing views or arguments to the teacher or Imam, it creates division among people and the person may even get shunned depending on how large the Imams following has become.
I have always thought that the ethics of discussion and tolerance need to be taught in the mosques, which provide education, rarely do I see that happening.
Well someone posted a thread over where which says when qiyama will be near, the dajjal will point out towards a "white palace" and that white palace will be Masjid-e-Nabvi.
And i also remember hadith of the prophet prophecizing, decoration of mosques.
Out of topic
Reference a
uthenticity of the Quran by Abdul Raheem green a wonderful article for a muslim and well explained.
Sometimes when people present differing views or arguments to the teacher or Imam, it creates division among people and the person may even get shunned depending on how large the Imams following has become.
I have always thought that the ethics of discussion and tolerance need to be taught in the mosques, which provide education, rarely do I see that happening.
What does everyone else feel about such issues?
That is very true indeed especially in the Indo-Pak influenced masajids. Alhamdulillah now there are more educated Imams and dialogue is welcomed. Of course there is a way to present your opinion in front of an Alim/Scholar. You have to begin your dialogue with the intention of gaining something rather than just for the sake of argument, which many of us Muslims tend to do. The Shura is made for that dialogue to continue and to keep the community united. In the tablighi masajids you will find that they don't get into touchy subjects such as politics and different sects. This brings about the tolerance you are speaking of and polite discussions then take place naturally.
That is very true indeed especially in the Indo-Pak influenced masajids. Alhamdulillah now there are more educated Imams and dialogue is welcomed. Of course there is a way to present your opinion in front of an Alim/Scholar. You have to begin your dialogue with the intention of gaining something rather than just for the sake of argument, which many of us Muslims tend to do. The Shura is made for that dialogue to continue and to keep the community united. In the tablighi masajids you will find that they don't get into touchy subjects such as politics and different sects. This brings about the tolerance you are speaking of and polite discussions then take place naturally.
Its even more pronounced between the ethinicities. For instance Indo-Pak people and Arabs are poles apart on the Halal Haram issues about food. I've had few instances where an African American brother will not give credence to an opinion coming from a scholar from abroad. The argument gets dismissed simply because the person is not familiar with American lifestyle (which is true to some extent). A common theme I always see is that Arab women always dis the Indo-Pak women over hijab/dress issues. At least in my masjid the Indo-Pak people always dis the Arab people for not donating enough.
Its even more pronounced between the ethinicities. For instance Indo-Pak people and Arabs are poles apart on the Halal Haram issues about food. I've had few instances where an African American brother will not give credence to an opinion coming from a scholar from abroad. The argument gets dismissed simply because the person is not familiar with American lifestyle (which is true to some extent). A common theme I always see is that Arab women always dis the Indo-Pak women over hijab/dress issues. At least in my masjid the Indo-Pak people always dis the Arab people for not donating enough.
The issues are countless.
Oh yes, that's the age old battle it seems. Mostly it boils down to Salafis (doesn't matter if they are Arab or not, they can even be Pakistanis) vs. Traditional Muslims (these can be Arabs too).... always the fight over halal/haram and related issues. Issues that are so advanced that even the Ulema take great care in discussing them... :(
My point is that that particular hadees ( i think you quoted it here on the GS) approves the lavish mosques, then why we dispute them today.
There are also ahadith which indicate that Decoration of mosques and construction of high buildings are sign of Last Hour.
There are also ahadith in which Prophet Muhammad(SAW) disliked decorating the houses.
There are also ahadith which indicate that Decoration of mosques and construction of high buildings are sign of Last Hour.
There are also ahadith in which Prophet Muhammad(SAW) disliked decorating the houses.
Can you plz provide the ahaith for these ^ ..cos ahaith coul be maodoo , or daif . and therefore .. some are not taken ... Do u have knowledge on uloom e hadith ....?
Can you plz provide the ahaith for these ^ ..cos ahaith coul be maodoo , or daif . and therefore .. some are not taken ...
Sahih Bukhari
*Book 2, Number 0448: *Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas: I was not commanded to build high mosques. Ibn Abbas said: You will certainly adorn them as the Jews and Christians did. There will be no Judgment—until very tall buildings are constructed.
*Book 2, Number 0448: *Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas: I was not commanded to build high mosques. Ibn Abbas said: You will certainly adorn them as the Jews and Christians did. There will be no Judgment—until very tall buildings are constructed.
yeas i do .. sufficiant enuf to recognise .sahih .. ghreeb .. maodoo etc ahadith ...and conditions in narrating ahadith and using hadith to prove issues ..etc ...etc ...:)
Oh yes, that's the age old battle it seems. Mostly it boils down to Salafis (doesn't matter if they are Arab or not, they can even be Pakistanis) vs. Traditional Muslims (these can be Arabs too).... always the fight over halal/haram and related issues. Issues that are so advanced that even the Ulema take great care in discussing them... :(
Partly, but I'm all for spending less on decorating the masjid and rather spend on useful things such as setting up a library in the masjid, weekend schools, adult education etc.