School of Quran; Reflection on Surah At-Tawbah/36

School of Quran; Reflection on Surah At-Tawbah/36

Those Who Can Maintain Mosques 

13:56 - May 22, 2023

News ID: 3483658

TEHRAN (IQNA) – Building and maintaining mosques, as major religious venues in Islam, has special conditions that the Holy Quran highlights in some verses.

 This is according to Hani Chitchian, a member of the Quran and Etrat School of the University of Tehran, speaking in the 36th session in a series on Surah At-Tawbah. Following are excerpts from his remarks in the session:

The role of mosque and its mission, and the model mosque in Islamic society are among important issues mentioned in Surah At-Tawbah.

Let me first read the verses about mosque in the Surah and then refer to some points about them and other verses in the Quran that are about this issue.

Verse 7 of Surah At-Tawbah says: “How can the idolaters have any treaty with Allah and His Messenger, except those with whom you have made treaties by the Sacred Mosque? So long as they are straight with you, so be straight with them. Allah loves the righteous.”

This verse says that disbelievers do not fulfil their pledge and one cannot expect them to do so. It, nonetheless, stresses that believers must stay true to their pledge as long as they do. The reference to the Grand Mosque in Mecca is about a treaty between the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and disbelievers signed beside the mosque that is said to be about the Conquest of Mecca.

Then there are verses 17-19 of the Surah: “Idolaters should not inhabit the mosques of Allah bearing witness against themselves with disbelief. Those, their deeds have been annulled, and in the Fire they shall live for ever. None should inhabit the mosques of Allah except those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, establish their prayers and pay the obligatory charity, and fear none except Allah. May these be among the guided. Do you consider giving drink to the pilgrims and inhabiting the Sacred Mosque is the same as one who believes in Allah and the Last Day, and struggles in the Way of Allah? These are not held equal by Allah. Allah does not guide the harmdoers.”

These verses are connected and refer to the issue of mosque.

It is not proper to allow disbelievers to partner in building and maintaining mosques. They do not obey God so why should they contribute to building and maintaining mosques? That is because it has personal profits for them and also gives them an opportunity to make Muslims indebted to them.

Disbelievers’ contribution in building and maintaining mosques does not save them from being in hell forever. God does not allow one to dAs long as there is Shirk (polytheism) in one, superficial partnership in religious activities would not benefit him.

Courtesy of IQNA