Masjid

Salams I thought I would dedicate this post to the subject of the Masjid, its virtues and status in the eyes of a Muslim. Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (R.A.) narrates that he heard Rasulullah (pbuh) say: "Allah Ta'ala will grant His Shade to seven (types) of persons on the day when their will be no shade besides His Shade. (Among the seven) one is a man whose heart is attached to the Masjid." [Bukhari, Muslim] Hadhrat Abu Darda (R.A.) narrates that Rasulullah (pbuh ) said: “Whoever walks to the Masjid in the darkness of the night, will meet Allah with Noor on the Day of Qiyaamah.” [Tibraani] Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (R.A.) narrates that Rasulullah (pbuh ) said: “For every step taken by one who proceeds to the Masjid for Jamaat Salaat, a sin (which he had already committed) is wiped out and a good deed is recorded. This happens in going to as well as in returning from the Masjid.” The thawaab for proceeding to and even returning from the Masjid is indeed colossal. There is no limit to Allah’s mercy. Subhanallah, Allah rewards us for merely taking a step towards the Masjid, and then we are rewarded again for the performance of our prayer in the Masjid with congregation. Also, if after entering the Masjid one makes the intention of Naf’l I’tikaaf then for the duration of salaah, dhikr, ibaadah and listening to a talk you can also receive the reward of I’tikaaf for that duration of time.