Masjid is a Physical Structure
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Peace,
This is from an e-mail exchange which I am posting to share with others...
Sujood is the act os complaince/submission, while Masjid is the place where some of these acts are carried out.
In the story of David you clearly have the two people who climbed into the "Mihraab" (front section of a Masjid) where they sought to be judged between on a particular matter - 3821
You also have Mary frequently being in the "Mihraab" when Zakaria comes to ask her where she got her food from - 337
You also have the verse which tells us that "fighting" is forbidden at the "Restricted Temple" (masjid Al-Haram) unless we are forced to fight there. - 2191
You also have the exception in sexual intercourse in the night of fasting to the people who are devoted at the Temples (Masjaid) - 2187
You also have the command asking us to take our best dress at every Temple (Masjid) - 731
You also have the pledge with the idolatars that was made near the Restricted Temple - 97
You also have the order against those who stop God's name from being mentioned in the Temples (Masajid) - 2114
As such, Masjid is very much a "physical" place where the elements of God's system are carried out (Sujood) rather than a metaphorical meaning which seems to be the way of arguments these days (everything is becomming metaphoric!)
I see the problem with this whole line of thinking comming from people taking for granted the system around them today and which keeps everything going, and thus they cannot see any use for a physical this or a physical that...(the already have courts, they have police, they have community halls, voting, etc..)
To understand the Quran we need to look at a community without laws and order (similar to Iraq today) and then try to undertsand what is missing to regulate and help their lives and how it can be acheived through the Quran (such as seeing those who order rightousness and prevent vice as being comparable to today's Police force rather than the religious police meaning that is ascribed to them today due to duplication of responsibilities)
Layth
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Peace all,
I want to address the issue of 'masjid' as an awareness rather than a physical place by looking at one of the most important defining verses in this sense
171 Most glorified is the One who summoned His servant (Muhammad) during the night, from the Masjid al Haram to the Masjid al Aqsa, whose surroundings we have blessed, in order to show him some of our signs. He is the Hearer, the Seer.
Here we are told of a movement between two "masjids". The purpose was to show him 'signs'.
Later in the surah we are told
1760 We informed you that your Lord fully controls the people, and we rendered the vision that we showed you a test for the people, and the tree that is accursed in the Quran.* We showed them solid proofs to instill reverence in them, but this only augmented their defiance.
The movement to the masjid-al-aqsa was a vision and not travel to a physical place. Masjid-al-aqsa signifies the highest awareness attained through the witnessing of the signs of God.
It is a state of awareness attained rather than a physical place.
Nice observation.
171 and 1760 may have to be considered along with 4827.
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sallam
!
in my opinion both view's are correct and talk about the same thingSujood is the act os complaince/submission, while Masjid is the place where some of these acts are carried out.
As such, Masjid is very much a "physical" place where the elements of God's system are carried out (Sujood)
Layth
The institution of government is an institution of hearing and obeying. Is "government" a physical building or a metaphor?
Are courts physical buildings? Does the institution of the court or the physical building of the court judge between people?
Is police a physical building? Does the institution of police or the physical police building arrest wrongdoers?
Ayman.
government is not a physical place but to carried out the elements of state's system it needs a physical building.
police station needs a physical building to arrest wrongdoers.the reason of misunderstanding is in our today Mosque elements of God's system are not carried out, It lost its meaning. Imagine a building which have a police station's sign but in it some student gather, have a lunch and chat with each other, definitely you don't call that place a police station although it have a such sign.
so, we need (two parts) a physical building + institution of hearing and obeying to have a Masjid. in other word, a Masjid is a Place (regardless of it shape and view, it can even be a special park) which by hearing and obeying God's comments we carry out elements of God's system.and depending of the context both part can be used and have a meaning. e.g. if I say I was in government and fired yesterday (you know I don't talk about a building but an institution) but If I say I was in government and saw a dog pissed on its floor yesterday (you know I don't talk about an institution but a building). sorry if this example is not a good one and I couldn't say it right but I think you get what I want to say.
I hope this help.
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Nice observation.
171 and 1760 may have to be considered along with 4827.
That is the exact referencing of 1760
http//haqeeqat.org.pk/English%20Tafsir%20e%20Haqeeqat/00.Arabic%20Text/017.%20Al%20Israa/17.60a.gif
And We had not declared the dream which We had shown to you except as a trial/liquefying irritation for people;
1760
http//haqeeqat.org.pk/English%20Tafsir%20e%20Haqeeqat/00.Arabic%20Text/002.38.gif
For this reason We will certainly give you the guardianship of the Qib'laa'tan/Ka'aba which will make you pleased.238
http//haqeeqat.org.pk/English%20Tafsir%20e%20Haqeeqat/00.Arabic%20Text/048.%20Al%20Fatha/48.27.gif
Indeed Allah has since proved to His Messenger the vision/dream as truthful with physical execution
http//haqeeqat.org.pk/English%20Tafsir%20e%20Haqeeqat/00.Arabic%20Text/048.%20Al%20Fatha/48.27a.gif
that you will will certainly enter the Sacred Mosque, if Allah willed, safe and secure,4827
