The mosque is an Islamic place of worship devoted to the remembrance of God. It can also be used as a meeting place for religious affairs. Nothing should be done there that might desecrate it. The mosque is the House of God and we are commanded to treat it with respect. God says: “In houses which God has ordered to be raised let His name be remembered.” [24-36] For this reason, Islam prescribes certain etiquette and manners to be observed when going to the mosque:
- The following supplication should be recited when going to the mosque: “O God, illuminate my heart, illuminate my tongue, illuminate my hearing, illuminate my sight, illuminate what is behind me and what is before me, illuminate what is above me and what is below me. O God, grant me illumination.” [Muslim]
- One should not eat anything that induces bad breath before going to the mosque. Eating garlic, onions or anything else that could offend fellow worshippers by bad breath should be avoided.
- A woman should not wear much perfume if she wishes to go to mosque.
- It is not allowed for a woman who is in the state of menses to stay or sit in the mosque. However, it is allowed for her to attend religions lessons, lectures, or anything else outside the actual prayer hall.
- A man should be clean, well-groomed and, ideally, wear scent. God says: ‘O Children of Adam, wear your beautiful adornments when you go to mosque.’ [7-31]
- Enter the mosque quietly and with composure. Abu Qatadah said: ‘Once while we were praying with God’s Messenger [pbuh], we heard some noisy men. After he finished praying, he said: ‘What is the matter with you?’ They replied: ‘We were hurrying to prayer.’ He said: ‘Don’t do that again. When you come to prayer, do so with proper composure. Perform whatever part of the prayer you catch, and complete whatever you miss.’ [Al-Bukhārī]
- On entering the mosque you should recite the following invocation: ‘Bismillah waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ‘ala Rasūlillahi; Allahumma ighfir lī dhunūbī waftaḥ lī abwāba raḥmatik.’ [In the name of Allah and prayers and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah; O Allah forgive me my sins and open up to me the doors of Your mercy.]
- Pray two rak‘ahs [cycles of prayer] as a greeting to the mosque [taḥyatu’l-masjid]. Abu Qatadah relates that God’s Messenger [pbuh] said: ‘When one of you goes to the mosque, he should perform two rak‘ah before sitting down.’
- If somebody is praying, do not pass in front of them except far enough away so as not to interfere with his prostration.
- It is highly undesirable for people to talk loudly in the mosque or do anything else to disturb those who are engaged in prayer or in reciting the Qur’an at that time.
- One should not gossip or backbite in the mosque. One should either pray, engage in the remembrance of God, or talk about the religious affairs. Such conversation, however, must not disturb those who are engaged in prayer or any other acts of worship.
- The mosque must always be kept clean and, if possible, some incense should be used to make the place smell agreeable. Nothing unclean should be left there and, if it is, it should be removed as quickly as possible. This is another way of showing proper respect to the mosque. God says: ‘…and whoever honours the sacred things of God, it is better for him with his Lord.’ [22-30]
- One should not spit inside the mosque or on its stairs.
- Do not engage in commercial activity or discussion inside the Mosque, such as buying or selling, or making announcements about buying or selling. The Prophet [pbuh] forbade buying or selling in the mosque.
- It is recommended to remember God, to recite the Qur’an, to study the hadiths of God’s Messenger [pbuh] and the other Islamic sciences often while in the mosque. God says: ‘In houses which God has ordered to be raised, His name is remembered. Therein glorify Him in the morning and the evening men whom neither trade nor business diverts from the remembrance of God.’ [24: 36-37]
- It is highly undesirable for announcements about lost property to be made within the mosque unless the missing item is very important and was actually lost inside the mosque.
- Those who arrive late should not climb over others to get to the front rows.
- Small children who might make noise or disturb others should not be brought into the mosque. Children above seven should be brought to the mosque for learning.
- When the Imam is delivering the Friday khuṭba, the congregation must maintain silence. If somebody has to be told to be silent, he should not be told orally but only by gesture.
- It is undesirable to dispute or quarrel or talk loudly in mosque. Mobile telephones should be switched off or made silent.
- There should not be a gap between worshippers in the prayer line; they should stand shoulder to shoulder.
Do not make taslīm before or at the same time as the Imam; one should make taslīm after the Imam has finished. - It is not permitted to leave the mosque after the ādhān has been called before doing the prayer without legal excuse.
- When you exit the mosque, you should say the following: ‘Bismillāh waṣṣalātu was-salāmu ‘ala Rasūlillahi; Allahumma ighfir lī dhunūbī waftaḥ lī abwāba faḍlik.’ [In the name of Allah and prayers and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah; O Allah forgive me my sins and open up to me the doors of Your mercy.]
