Masajid before the Messenger

Grourself

Peace,

It is a very basic formula but easily confused because the difference is only a ?waw?.

Ka-ta-ba to write
Maktub-noun of place place of writing
Maktuub-passive participle written

Mif?al, mif?aal, mif?ala form nouns of instrument
Fa-ta-Ha to open becomes
MiftaaH key

The mistake of the author quoted in the posts above is like comparing apples and oranges. However, I'm familiar with this author and this flaw is not as important as the portions of his work that expose the idolworshippers and is right on point. However, we all must learn to verify before we blindly accept. I know I must learn this.

unknownuser

Peace Elke and All

I believe the word ?Masajid?, ? ?, was mentioned 6 times and it is the plural of ?Masjid?, ? ?, let?s have a look at all locations and see if we can collect any clues for its meaning, I used Shakir translation (note I kept the word Masajid UNTRANSLATED?

And who is more unjust than he who prevents (men) from the Massjid of Allah that His name should be remembered in them, and strives to ruin them? (As for) these, it was not proper for them that they should have entered them except in fear; they shall meet with disgrace in this world, and they shall have great chastisement in the hereafter.

(114)

-> We have three clues in here

prevents (men) from the masajid of Allah that His name should be remembered in them?, i.e. it sounds like a place that some wrong doers will try to prevent the name of Allah to be remembered INSIDE THEM
? and strives to ruin them? ?, i.e. those wrong doers will try to ruin these Masajid, which suggests it is a place to be ruined
?it was not proper for them that they should have entered them except in fear?, i.e. those wrong doers shall enter the Masajid in fear, again it suggests that it is a place to be entered

It is made lawful to you to go into your wives on the night of the fast; they are an apparel for you and you are an apparel for them; Allah knew that you acted unfaithfully to yourselves, so He has turned to you (mercifully) and removed from you (this burden); so now be in contact with them and seek what Allah has ordained for you, and eat and drink until the whiteness of the day becomes distinct from the blackness of the night at dawn, then complete the fast till night, and have not contact with them while you are in retreat in the Masajid; these are the limits of Allah, so do not go near them. Thus does Allah make clear His communications for men that they may guard (against evil).

(187)

-> We have one clue in here, which is simply a warning to the believers ? and have not contact with them while you are in retreat in the Masajid; ?, i.e. not to contact their wives while they are Aakifon Fi Al Masajid, i.e. in retreat inside the Masajid, again it suggests that it is a place where the believers can retreat inside it

17- The idolaters have no right to visit the Masajid of Allah while bearing witness to unbelief against themselves, these it is whose doings are null, and in the fire shall they abide.

18- Only he shall visit the Masajid of Allah who believes in Allah and the latter day, and keeps up prayer and pays the poor-rate and fears none but Allah; so (as for) these, it may be that they are of the followers of the right course.

(17)
(1

-> Two clues

? The idolaters have no right to visit the Masajid of Allah?, i.e. it sounds like a place not to be visited by the idolaters
? Only he shall visit the Masajid of Allah who believes in Allah and the latter day?, again it sounds like a place to be visited by the believers, I guess the word visit is the wrong translation by Shakir, I believe it should be ?to develop? as this is the closest in meaning to the Arabic word ? ?, ?Yo?Ammer?

Those who have been expelled from their homes without a just cause except that they say Our Lord is Allah. And had there not been Allah's repelling some people by others, certainly there would have been pulled down cloisters and churches and synagogues and Masajid in which Allah's name is much remembered; and surely Allah will help him who helps His cause; most surely Allah is Strong, Mighty.

(40)

-> We have two clues in here

? there not been Allah's repelling some people by others, certainly there would have been pulled down cloisters and churches and synagogues and Masajid?, i.e. it is a sort of erected building that can be pulled down, like cloisters , churches and synagogues exactly, and in these places
? in which Allah's name is much remembered?, i.e. Allah name should be remembered INSIDE THEM, again sounds like a place to me

And that the Masajid are Allah's, therefore call not upon any one with Allah

(1

-> Not much of a clue here other than the verse tells us ? the Masajid are Allah's?, it sound like they are His properties, possibly some may say this verse means the status of submission is for Allah, but this can?t be because the status of submission was mentioned as follow in the Quran

And they who pass the night prostrating themselves before their Lord and standing.

(64)

-> See, to describe the status of prostrating the Arabic word is ? ?, pronounced as ?Sujodda?, another word to describe those who prostrate themselves before Allah is ? ?, pronounced as ?Al Sajidoon?, as seen below

They who turn (to Allah), who serve (Him), who praise (Him), who fast, who bow down, who prostrate themselves, who enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil, and who keep the limits of Allah; and give good news to the believers.

(112)

-> The word ? ?, pronounced as ?Al Sajidoon?, may be ? ?, pronounced as ?Al Sajideen?, depending on Al Irab and Tashkil but both means the same as seen below

He said O Iblis! what excuse have you that you are not with those who make obeisance?

(32)

And when Allah ordered us to strive for this status of submission He told us the following

Therefore celebrate the praise of your Lord, and be of those who make obeisance.

(9

also when the magicians were defeated by Moses stuff we know what they did

And the magicians were thrown down prostrate;

(46)

Therefore the status of prostrating is either one of the followings according to the Quran

? ?, pronounced as ?Sujodda?
? ?, pronounced as ?Al Sajidoon?, Note Al is not compulsory
? ?, pronounced as ?Al Sajideen?, Note Al is not compulsory

AND NEVER THE FOLLOWING

? ?, pronounced as ?Masajid?, which is the Plural of ?Masjid?, ? ?, the singular ?Masjid? appeared about 22 times in the Quran, in all locations it means a place to worship Allah, and in many other locations it was specific to which worshipping place Allah is talking about, I brought in a couple of verses as an example and we will see clearly that it means a place to worship Allah in it

107- And those who built a Masjid to cause harm and for unbelief and to cause disunion among the believers and an ambush to him who made war against Allah and His Messenger before; and they will certainly swear We did not desire aught but good; and Allah bears witness that they are most surely liars.

108- Never stand in it; certainly a Masjid founded on piety from the very first day is more deserving that you should stand in it; in it are men who love that they should be purified; and Allah loves those who purify themselves.

(107)
(10

-> Subhana Allah, verse 9107 is a very Muhkam verse as far as I can see it, it actually tells us about things we see now days, it tells us about the improper use of these places of worshipping Allah ? those who built a Masjid to cause harm and for unbelief and to cause disunion among the believers?, this is a hard core fact that we can see it now days, we can see clearly the word BUILT, i.e. Masjid is something to be built to worship Allah in it, and Allah is warning us not to go to these places of worshipping that are improperly used ? Never stand in it?, then He is telling us that we should go to the places where ? certainly a Masjid founded on piety from the very first day is more deserving that you should stand in it;?, can you see the word ?FOUNDED?, in Arabic ? ?, actually the foundation of any building is called ? ?, I?m a Civil Engineer and I can assure you that this is what a foundation of a building means in Arabic, I understand that Allah is using this as a metaphor, as the foundation of a place cannot be really ?founded on piety?, but the message is clear, that there are many places that are built on real foundation and footings inside the ground to worship Allah but it is actually used to ? cause harm and for unbelief and to cause disunion among the believers?, hence Allah is telling us that the real foundation for a place to be built is ? founded on piety from the very first day? , and we can clearly find these good places where Allah is truly and honestly worshipped because we will find inside them ? in it are men who love that they should be purified?

I rest my case

Peace to all

bmbmm

Salam AB,

Thanks for all the information. What sort of masjid we need then? If I go and stand in a masjid now I will be facing the cube with a black stone. Are there any masjid out there that you could recommend me to go where there is no idol worshiping so I can find God, if he can be found in a man-made structure?

Peace

unknownuser

Salam AB,

Salam bro

Thanks for all the information.

no worries bro

What sort of masjid we need then?

I guess I explained above that the verses say it has to be built on Taqwa from day one and the believers who attend it are true submitters, not bloody talking politics and crap inside

If I go and stand in a masjid now I will be facing the cube with a black stone.

if this is how you want to see then you are nothing but an Idol worshipper, we only need to face one direction as a sign of unity, now that direction is called Qibla, and is towards Mekkah where the masjid al haram is located, I care less about the black stone you mentioned

Are there any masjid out there that you could recommend me to go where there is no idol worshiping so I can find God,

i guess the question is silly or sarcastic as I donlt even know where you live and even if I do, I donlt think that I will know every good masjid in the world, I reckon it is your job to find out a good masjid where most people are submitter and they don't bitch too much

if he can be found in a man-made structure?

Peace

of course it has to be a man made structure, I don't think it will be a jinn made structure neither angel made structure

peace

bmbmm

if this is how you want to see then you are nothing but an Idol worshipper, we only need to face one direction as a sign of unity, now that direction is called Qibla, and is towards Mekkah where the masjid al haram is located, I care less about the black stone you mentioned

Salam bro,

A few questions

Where in the Quran it says that the Qibla is towards Mekkah (S. Arabia)?

Also is it the cube or masjid-al-haram (if this is a structure)? I believe these are two different structures. Am I right? Why is the structure haram?

I hope this could be clarified.

Peace

unknownuser

Br Ahmed said

?those who built a Masjid to cause harm and for unbelief and to cause disunion among the believers?
He also said
?It has to be built on Taqwa?

Built up on taqwa ? Br where can we find taqwa if not in the deeds or the hearts?

How does a building cause anybody any sort of harm ?it is the peoples actions and intent which causes the harm.

Where on earth do we find unbelief ? in deeds and hearts and certainly not in man made structures?

What then brings about the disunion among believers ?it?s their actions/deeds and the belief certainly not a building.

No replies necessary Br.Ahmed

JHamza

Assalamu alaikum all,

Could someone please explain to me why some say Harram means forbidden and Haram means sanctified or sacred..because the word al-haram is used in the Quran when it says Masjid al-haram and not Masjid al-harram?

Masjid al-haram=the sanctified/sacred/noble Masjid(place of the submitted);also can be spelled al-haraam.

Masjid al-harram=the restricted/forbidden Masjid.

unknownuser

if this is how you want to see then you are nothing but an Idol worshipper, we only need to face one direction as a sign of unity, now that direction is called Qibla, and is towards Mekkah where the masjid al haram is located, I care less about the black stone you mentioned

Salam bro,

Peace mate

A few questions

sure

Where in the Quran it says that the Qibla is towards Mekkah (S. Arabia)?

ok, sorry for not being very accurate, I meant near mekkah where the Masjid Al Haram is.

Also is it the cube or masjid-al-haram (if this is a structure)?

Well, th eKabba is too small to fit a hundered believers to worship Allah inside it, so logically it has to be all the area surrounding it and should have no boundry limit as it should fit whatever number of believers who go there to worship Allah in those 4 haram months

I believe these are two different structures. Am I right? Why is the structure haram?

I believe the Masjid Al haram is the same structure as the Kabba but it just has no boundries to allow millions of believers to gather and worship Allah around the Kabba

I hope this could be clarified.

Peace

Allah knows best for sure, but i answerd based on the best of my knwledge and my logic, however if you have a more compelling logic I guess you should go with it

peace be with you

unknownuser

Assalamu alaikum all,

Could someone please explain to me why some say Harram means forbidden and Haram means sanctified or sacred..because the word al-haram is used in the Quran when it says Masjid al-haram and not Masjid al-harram?

Masjid al-haram=the sanctified/sacred/noble Masjid(place of the submitted);also can be spelled al-haraam.

Masjid al-harram=the restricted/forbidden Masjid.

Peace bro

I believe the word only means forbidden, i don't think it means sacred, but possibly it can mean as such metaphorically, as in the masjid there is are many things that are forbidden, in fact husbands are not allowed to touch their wives while retreating in the masjid, also all sins minor or major should not be committed inside the masjid, as well the idol worshippers and kafiroon are forbidden to enter any masjid

all in all it is about a lot of things that are forbidden inside the masjid, because when we enter the masjid we only enter to praise and worship Allah and perform sijood to Him, anything that attach us to life should be left outside the masjid hence it takes a status of sacred and can be called as such if we say Al masjid Al haram, i.e. The Sacred Masjid

there is no difference between the double rr and the one r, it is all taskil and based on the use, the meaning can be undersrood, please show me an example of the double rr and one r in Haram (ref to arabic verses) and I will explain it to you

Allah knows best

peace

JHamza

there is no difference between the double rr and the one r, it is all taskil and based on the use, the meaning can be undersrood, please show me an example of the double rr and one r in Haram (ref to arabic verses) and I will explain it to you

Allah knows best

peace

Peace,
Thanks for the help and info on the word haram/harram..

Here are the Surahs that use some forms of haram

Masajid

Qad nara taqalluba wajhika fee alssama-ifalanuwalliyannaka qiblatan tardaha fawalli wajhakashatra almasjidi alharami wahaythu makuntum fawalloo wujoohakum shatrahu wa-inna allatheenaootoo alkitaba layaAAlamoona annahu alhaqqu minrabbihim wama Allahu bighafilin AAammayaAAmaloona
We see the turning of thy face (for guidance to the heavens now Shall We turn thee to a Qibla that shall please thee. Turn then Thy face in the direction of the sacred Mosque Wherever ye are, turn your faces in that direction. The people of the Book know well that that is the truth from their Lord. Nor is Allah unmindful of what they do.

Wamin haythu kharajta fawalliwajhaka shatra almasjidi alharami wa-innahulalhaqqu min rabbika wama Allahu bighafilinAAamma taAAmaloona
From whencesoever Thou startest forth, turn Thy face in the direction of the sacred Mosque; that is indeed the truth from the Lord. And Allah is not unmindful of what ye do.

Wamin haythu kharajta fawalliwajhaka shatra almasjidi alharami wahaythuma kuntum fawalloo wujoohakum shatrahu li-allayakoona lilnnasi AAalaykum hujjatun illaallatheena thalamoo minhum falatakhshawhum waikhshawnee wali-otimma niAAmatee AAalaykumwalaAAallakum tahtadoona
So from whencesoever Thou startest forth, turn Thy face in the direction of the sacred Mosque; and wheresoever ye are, Turn your face thither that there be no ground of dispute against you among the people, except those of them that are bent on wickedness; so fear them not, but fear Me; and that I may complete My favours on you, and ye May (consent to) be guided;

Waoqtuloohum haythuthaqiftumoohum waakhrijoohum min haythu akhrajookum waalfitnatuashaddu mina alqatli wala tuqatiloohum AAindaalmasjidi alharami hatta yuqatilookumfeehi fa-in qatalookum faoqtuloohum kathalikajazao alkafireena
And slay them wherever ye catch them, and turn them out from where they have Turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; but if they fight you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith.

Laysa AAalaykum junahun an tabtaghoofadlan min rabbikum fa-itha afadtum minAAarafatin faothkuroo Allaha AAindaalmashAAari alharami waothkuroohu kamahadakum wa-in kuntum min qablihi lamina alddalleena
It is no crime in you if ye seek of the bounty of your Lord (during pilgrimage). Then when ye pour down from (Mount) Arafat, celebrate the praises of Allah at the Sacred Monument, and celebrate His praises as He has directed you, even though, before this, ye went astray.

Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoola taqtuloo alssayda waantum hurumunwaman qatalahu minkum mutaAAammidan fajazaon mithlu maqatala mina alnnaAAami yahkumu bihi thawaAAadlin minkum hadyan baligha alkaAAbati aw kaffaratuntaAAamu masakeena aw AAadlu thalika siyamanliyathooqa wabala amrihi AAafa AllahuAAamma salafa waman AAada fayantaqimu Allahuminhu waAllahu AAazeezun thoo intiqamin
O ye who believe! Kill not game while in the sacred precincts or in pilgrim garb. If any of you doth so intentionally, the compensation is an offering, brought to the Ka'ba, of a domestic animal equivalent to the one he killed, as adjudged by two just men among you; or by way of atonement, the feeding of the indigent; or its equivalent in fasts that he may taste of the penalty of his deed. Allah forgives what is past for repetition Allah will exact from him the penalty. For Allah is Exalted, and Lord of Retribution.

JaAAala Allahu alkaAAbata albayta alharamaqiyaman lilnnasi waalshshahra alharamawaalhadya waalqala-ida thalikalitaAAlamoo anna Allaha yaAAlamu ma fee alssamawatiwama fee al-ardi waanna Allaha bikullishay-in AAaleemun
Allah made the Ka'ba, the Sacred House, an asylum of security for men, as also the Sacred Months, the animals for offerings, and the garlands that mark them That ye may know that Allah hath knowledge of what is in the heavens and on earth and that Allah is well acquainted with all things.

Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoola tuhilloo shaAAa-ira Allahi walaalshshahra alharama wala alhadya walaalqala-ida wala ammeena albayta alharamayabtaghoona fadlan min rabbihim waridwananwa-itha halaltum faistadoo walayajrimannakum shanaanu qawmin an saddookum AAanialmasjidi alharami an taAAtadoo wataAAawanooAAala albirri waalttaqwa wala taAAawanooAAala al-ithmi waalAAudwani waittaqooAllaha inna Allaha shadeedu alAAiqabi
O ye who believe! Violate not the sanctity of the symbols of Allah, nor of the sacred month, nor of the animals brought for sacrifice, nor the garlands that mark out such animals, nor the people resorting to the sacred house, seeking of the bounty and good pleasure of their Lord. But when ye are clear of the sacred precincts and of pilgrim garb, ye may hunt and let not the hatred of some people in (once) shutting you out of the Sacred Mosque lead you to transgression (and hostility on your part). Help ye one another in righteousness and piety, but help ye not one another in sin and rancour fear Allah for Allah is strict in punishment.

Wama lahum alla yuAAaththibahumuAllahu wahum yasuddoona AAani almasjidi alharamiwama kanoo awliyaahu in awliyaohu illaalmuttaqoona walakinna aktharahum la yaAAlamoona
But what plea have they that Allah should not punish them, when they keep out (men) from the sacred Mosque - and they are not its guardians? No men can be its guardians except the righteous; but most of them do not understand.

Kayfa yakoonu lilmushrikeena AAahdun AAindaAllahi waAAinda rasoolihi illa allatheena AAahadtumAAinda almasjidi alharami fama istaqamoolakum faistaqeemoo lahum inna Allaha yuhibbualmuttaqeena
How can there be a league, before Allah and His Messenger, with the Pagans, except those with whom ye made a treaty near the sacred Mosque? As long as these stand true to you, stand ye true to them for Allah doth love the righteous.

AjaAAaltum siqayata alhajjiwaAAimarata almasjidi alharami kaman amanabiAllahi waalyawmi al-akhiri wajahadafee sabeeli Allahi la yastawoona AAinda AllahiwaAllahu la yahdee alqawma alththalimeena
Do ye make the giving of drink to pilgrims, or the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque, equal to (the pious service of) those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and strive with might and main in the cause of Allah? They are not comparable in the sight of Allah and Allah guides not those who do wrong.

Ya ayyuha allatheena amanooinnama almushrikoona najasun fala yaqrabooalmasjida alharama baAAda AAamihim hathawa-in khiftum AAaylatan fasawfa yughneekumu Allahu min fadlihiin shaa inna Allaha AAaleemun hakeemun
O ye who believe! Truly the Pagans are unclean; so let them not, after this year of theirs, approach the Sacred Mosque. And if ye fear poverty, soon will Allah enrich you, if He wills, out of His bounty, for Allah is All-knowing, All-wise.

Rabbana innee askantu min thurriyyateebiwadin ghayri thee zarAAin AAinda baytika almuharramirabbana liyuqeemoo alssalata faijAAalaf-idatan mina alnnasi tahwee ilayhim waorzuqhummina alththamarati laAAallahum yashkuroona
"O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in a valley without cultivation, by Thy Sacred House; in order, O our Lord, that they may establish regular Prayer so fill the hearts of some among men with love towards them, and feed them with fruits so that they may give thanks.

Subhana allathee asrabiAAabdihi laylan mina almasjidi alharami ilaalmasjidi al-aqsa allathee barakna hawlahulinuriyahu min ayatina innahu huwa alssameeAAualbaseeru
Glory to (Allah) Who did take His servant for a Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque, whose precincts We did bless,- in order that We might show him some of Our Signs for He is the One Who heareth and seeth (all things).

Inna allatheena kafaroo wayasuddoonaAAan sabeeli Allahi waalmasjidi alharamiallathee jaAAalnahu lilnnasi sawaanalAAakifu feehi waalbadi waman yurid feehibi-ilhadin bithulmin nuthiqhu min AAathabinaleemin
As to those who have rejected (Allah), and would keep back (men) from the Way of Allah, and from the Sacred Mosque, which We have made (open) to (all) men - equal is the dweller there and the visitor from the country - and any whose purpose therein is profanity or wrong-doing - them will We cause to taste of a most Grievous Penalty.

Humu allatheena kafaroo wasaddookumAAani almasjidi alharami waalhadyamaAAkoofan an yablugha mahillahu walawla rijalunmu/minoona wanisaon mu/minatun lam taAAlamoohum antataoohum fatuseebakum minhum maAAarratun bighayriAAilmin liyudkhila Allahu fee rahmatihi man yashaolaw tazayyaloo laAAaththabna allatheenakafaroo minhum AAathaban aleeman
They are the ones who denied Revelation and hindered you from the Sacred Mosque and the sacrificial animals, detained from reaching their place of sacrifice. Had there not been believing men and believing women whom ye did not know that ye were trampling down and on whose account a crime would have accrued to you without (your) knowledge, (Allah would have allowed you to force your way, but He held back your hands) that He may admit to His Mercy whom He will. If they had been apart, We should certainly have punished the Unbelievers among them with a grievous Punishment.

Laqad sadaqa Allahu rasoolahualrru/ya bialhaqqi latadkhulunnaalmasjida alharama in shaa Allahu amineenamuhalliqeena ruoosakum wamuqassireena latakhafoona faAAalima ma lam taAAlamoo fajaAAala mindooni thalika fathan qareeban
Truly did Allah fulfil the vision for His Messenger ye shall enter the Sacred Mosque, if Allah wills, with minds secure, heads shaved, hair cut short, and without fear. For He knew what ye knew not, and He granted, besides this, a speedy victory.

Sacred Months

Alshshahru alharamu bialshshahrialharami waalhurumatu qisasunfamani iAAtada AAalaykum faiAAtadoo AAalayhibimithli ma iAAtada AAalaykum waittaqoo AllahawaiAAlamoo anna Allaha maAAa almuttaqeena
The prohibited month for the prohibited month,- and so for all things prohibited,- there is the law of equality. If then any one transgresses the prohibition against you, Transgress ye likewise against him. But fear Allah, and know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves.

Yas-aloonaka AAani alshshahri alharamiqitalin feehi qul qitalun feehi kabeerun wasaddunAAan sabeeli Allahi wakufrun bihi waalmasjidi alharamiwa-ikhraju ahlihi minhu akbaru AAinda Allahi waalfitnatuakbaru mina alqatli wala yazaloona yuqatiloonakumhatta yaruddookum AAan deenikum ini istataAAoowaman yartadid minkum AAan deenihi fayamut wahuwa kafirunfaola-ika habitat aAAmaluhum fee alddunyawaal-akhirati waola-ika as-habualnnari hum feeha khalidoona
They ask thee concerning fighting in the Prohibited Month. Say "Fighting therein is a grave (offence); but graver is it in the sight of Allah to prevent access to the path of Allah, to deny Him, to prevent access to the Sacred Mosque, and drive out its members." Tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter. Nor will they cease fighting you until they turn you back from your faith if they can. And if any of you Turn back from their faith and die in unbelief, their works will bear no fruit in this life and in the Hereafter; they will be companions of the Fire and will abide therein.

Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoola tuhilloo shaAAa-ira Allahi walaalshshahra alharama wala alhadya walaalqala-ida wala ammeena albayta alharamayabtaghoona fadlan min rabbihim waridwananwa-itha halaltum faistadoo walayajrimannakum shanaanu qawmin an saddookum AAanialmasjidi alharami an taAAtadoo wataAAawanooAAala albirri waalttaqwa wala taAAawanooAAala al-ithmi waalAAudwani waittaqooAllaha inna Allaha shadeedu alAAiqabi
O ye who believe! Violate not the sanctity of the symbols of Allah, nor of the sacred month, nor of the animals brought for sacrifice, nor the garlands that mark out such animals, nor the people resorting to the sacred house, seeking of the bounty and good pleasure of their Lord. But when ye are clear of the sacred precincts and of pilgrim garb, ye may hunt and let not the hatred of some people in (once) shutting you out of the Sacred Mosque lead you to transgression (and hostility on your part). Help ye one another in righteousness and piety, but help ye not one another in sin and rancour fear Allah for Allah is strict in punishment.

Fa-itha insalakha al-ashhuru alhurumufaoqtuloo almushrikeena haythu wajadtumoohum wakhuthoohumwaohsuroohum waoqAAudoo lahum kulla marsadinfa-in taboo waaqamoo alssalatawaatawoo alzzakata fakhalloo sabeelahum innaAllaha ghafoorun raheemun
But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

Inna AAiddata alshshuhoori AAinda Allahiithna AAashara shahran fee kitabi Allahiyawma khalaqa alssamawati waal-ardaminha arbaAAatun hurumun thalika alddeenualqayyimu fala tathlimoo feehinna anfusakumwaqatiloo almushrikeena kaffatan kama yuqatiloonakumkaffatan waiAAlamoo anna Allaha maAAaalmuttaqeena
The number of months in the sight of Allah is twelve (in a year)- so ordained by Him the day He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are sacred that is the straight usage. So wrong not yourselves therein, and fight the Pagans all together as they fight you all together. But know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves.

Innama alnnasee-o ziyadatunfee alkufri yudallu bihi allatheena kafaroo yuhilloonahuAAaman wayuharrimoonahu AAaman liyuwati-ooAAiddata ma harrama Allahu fayuhillooma harrama Allahu zuyyina lahum soo-o aAAmalihimwaAllahu la yahdee alqawma alkafireena
Verily the transposing (of a prohibited month) is an addition to Unbelief the Unbelievers are led to wrong thereby for they make it lawful one year, and forbidden another year, in order to adjust the number of months forbidden by Allah and make such forbidden ones lawful. The evil of their course seems pleasing to them. But Allah guideth not those who reject Faith.

unknownuser

Salaam all,

I agree that "masjid" means a place where one performs the sujud, but that place could be the heart or the mind as well. The heart and the mind are also a PLACE, and a PLACE does not have to be physical. In Arabic there is a sentence which means "the masjid made the decision". Now it is not a physical building that made the decision but a group of people at an institution who made the decision. Just like we say that the Senate or the Congress decided .......

So masjid is an institution or a place which could be both physical and mental. We have to look at the context of the verses to determine if its usage implies physical or mental.

Having said that, masjid al-haram, according to the context can only be mental and means the "institution of hearing and obeying the forbidden" which can easily be the mind or the heart. One can face this mental "masjid al-haram", "the institution of hearing and obeying the forbidden" WHEREVER one is.

2144 We see the shifting of thy face towards the sky; We will thus set for you a focal point that will be pleasing to you "You shall set yourself towards masjid al-haram; and wherever you may be, you shall all set yourselves towards it." Those who have been given the Scripture know it is the truth from their Lord. And God is not unaware of what you do.

SCIENTIFIC PROOF

Now it is PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE to face a focal point WHEREVER one is.

Firstly that assumes that the Earth is flat. However the reality is that the Earth is round. You can face a physical building only until it is in your line of sight. As soon as you get further away from it and it disappears beyond the horizon, you are no longer facing it but facing a point in the sky/space many degrees away from the physical building which could be miles away depending on one's exact location and the distance from the physical building.

Secondly, where will one face if one is on a place on Earth directly opposite to the place where the physical building is located ? Should one face one way or the opposite way then ? Actually both will be wrong because one will actually be looking at a point in space MILES away from the actual physical building !!

Thirdly, where will one face if one is in space, for example near MARS ?

PROOF FROM OTHER VERSES

2115 And to God belongs the east and the west, so wherever you turn, there is God's presence. God is Encompassing, Knowledgeable.

2142 The foolish from amongst the people will Say "What has turned them away from the focal point that they were on?" Say "To God is the east and the west, He guides whomsoever He wishes to a straight path."

2177 Piety is not to turn your faces towards the east and the west, but piety is one who believes in God and the Last Day..........

All these verses and the above mentioned scientific facts prove that the focal point is not physical but mental.

HISTORICAL PROOF

Also at the time of revelation of Al-Qur'aan, there is no historical or archeological evidence of the existence of a PHYSICAL BUILDING by the name of "masjid al-haram". That name was given to a physical building many years after the Qur'aan was revealed so how could The God be referring to a physical building in the Qur'aan when it did not even exist ?

The mind/heart is a PLACE, so of course it can be the masjid, especially "masjid al-haram" and one can face this "institution of hearing and obeying the forbidden" WHEREVER one is.

May Allah guide us all to the truth.

claurianta

There have been discussions about the direction of the qibla in many threads, and how many of the old mosques had qiblas not pointing to Mecca. Some pointed to Jerusalem, but most pointed to neither Mecca nor Jerusalem. Could it be that originally the function of the qibla was to create a uniform direction of prayer for a specific mosque, so that when people were praying together they were all facing the same direction, as a sign of unity. What a mess it would be if everyone in a full mosque were praying in different directions, possibly even facing each other. So some kind of a standard was needed - even if just as a matter of convenience - and from that arose the qibla in a mosque. Then some powerhungry bastard decided, for the consolidation of his power, that all qibla should point in one direction, and that's how we got the qibla pointing to Mecca. If I remember correctly, in the early eighth century CE, the caliph made the decision to "realign" all qibla. It was direct challenge to the independence of the community's decision-making power, thereby consolidating his power by creating a unified standard. History is replete with monarchs creating standards/laws in order to consolidate their power - it's one of the oldest tricks in the book. Same can of course be said about the standard edition of the Qur'an put together by Uthman.

unknownuser