A Masjid or mosque is a place which is prepared for the purpose of offering the five daily prayers on a permanent basis and is devoted for that purpose. The mission of ICOPS is to establish a mosque that serves as a catalyst in enriching the spiritual growth of an active, diverse and united community based on the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), through religious, social and educational programs.
It is obligatory for men to attend the prayer in congregation in the mosque. Not praying in congregation is one of the signs of hypocrisy. The further away one’s house is from the mosque, the greater the reward.
It was narrated that Abu Musa said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The people who will have the greatest reward for prayer are those who come the furthest distance. (Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 623 and Muslim, 622)
Tahiyyat al-masjid (“greeting the mosque”) is Sunnah according to most of the scholars; some of the scholars stated that there was consensus on this point.
Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
“The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “When one of you enters the mosque, let him not sit down until he has prayed two rak‘ahs.” (Narrated by al-Bukhari, 1167; Muslim, 714)
Etiquettes of Entering the Mosque:
- It is Sunnah when you leave your house and head towards the mosque to recite the Du`a for walking to the mosque.
- You should enter the mosque with your right foot first and say the words that were narrated from the Prophet.
- When you enter the mosque, you should not sit down until you have prayed two Rak`ahs to “greet the mosque”.
- You should not raise your voice in the mosque even in reciting the Quran because that may disturb the worshippers.
- You should exit the mosque with the left foot first, and say the Du`a narrated from the Prophet.