السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
It’s Saturday 13th June 2020. My chosen topic today is ‘Rewards of Home Worship‘.
The hot issue at present is the opening of the Masjids مَا شَآءَ الله. A number of Masjids up and down the country have made the necessary arrangements and have started to open their doors from this weekend مَا شَآءَ الله.
JāmeꜤ Masjid in Blackburn reopened today, اَلْحَمْدُلِلّه.
My heart goes out to those who fall into the category that should not attend the Masjid, those having symptoms of Covid 19, underlying health conditions, etc. It is virtually impossible to imagine the emotions these people will be going through, but I hope these few words of mine will help them اِنْ شَاءَ الَّلهُ.
The fundamental point to remember in all aspects of life is the purpose of the action you are carrying out.
- Why?
- For whom?
Once you have satisfactorily answered these 2 key questions, carrying out that particular action becomes very easy. You understand why you are doing it and for whom you are doing it.
Let’s now apply this methodology. Why and for Whom do you want to go to the Masjid? The answer is very simple. ‘To please Almighty Allāh‘.
Ponder over how Merciful our Creator is. For those who are well and able, they will have to go to the Masjid to please their Creator, no ifs or buts. Perform Wuḍū’ at home, walk or drive to the Masjid, wait in the queue if you have to, follow strict guidelines, etc, but, you have to go to the Masjid to achieve your goal of pleasing your Creator.
Now, let’s look at the ones who cannot attend. How lucky you are, you don’t need to leave the comfort and warmth of your house. No need to travel, queue, or be told what to do. And guess what? Besides pleasing your Lord, you will get double the reward, one for your worship, and one for your patience upon your hardship, سُبْحَانَ الله.
This reminds me of my Marḥūm brother Yūsuf Hāji, who was diagnosed with kidney failure in 1996. For the next 13 years of his life he had dialysis treatment, as well as two transplants. Yūsuf Bhai’s eyes were always set on the Masjid. On many occasions I would accompany him to his hospital appointments, which could sometimes take 4 hours.
Upon returning, I would be feeling tired, and looking for an excuse to pray at home. However, as soon as JamāꜤat time approached, Yūsuf Bhai was off to the Masjid, come rain, shine, or snow even. I would say to him, ‘You are excused, you will get the same reward at home and even more‘, but my words used to fall on deaf ears. For Yūsuf Bhai, it had to be the Masjid; he would not accept anything less. I think he knew I was saying it for my benefit, not his.
Coming to the point, please do not take offence if Masjids have placed restrictions on certain groups, as their intention is for the common good. That day is not far when all of us will be praying together again in our Masjids, اِنْ شَاءَ الَّلهُ.
Almighty Allāh grant complete shifā’ to all who are not well and bless them with the patience and courage to get through this difficult phase of their life, Āmeen.
جَزَاكَ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا
Request for DuꜤās
وَالسَّلَامُ Hanif Dudhwala