Having likened the heart of the believer and what it contains of guidance and knowledge to a lamp lit with good oil shining in a clear glass, Allah then states where it belongs, which is in the Masjids, the places on earth that are most beloved to Allah. They are His houses which are built to be places where He is worshipped alone. He says:

{In houses which Allah has ordered to be raised,} meaning, Allah commanded that they be purified from all dirty and impure things and all words or deeds that are not befitting to them. ‘Ali bin Abi Talhah said, from Ibn ‘Abbas: “Allah has commanded that the Masjids be purified from idle talk and foul words.”

This was also the view of ‘Ikrimah, Abu Salih, Ad-Dahhak, Nafi‘ bin Jubayr, Abu Bakr bin Sulayman bin Abi Hathmah, Sufyan bin Husayn and other scholars of Tafsir.

There are many Hadiths which command the building of Masjids and respecting them, honoring them and perfuming them. These are discussed in detail elsewhere. ‘Uthman bin ‘Affan, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah say:

«Whoever builds a Masjid for the sake of Allah, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise.»

This was recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.

Ibn Majah recorded that Jabir bin ‘Abdullah said, “The Messenger of Allah said:

«Whoever builds a Masjid for the sake of Allah, like a sparrow's nest or even smaller, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise.»

An-Nasa'i mentioned something similar. There are very many Hadiths which say this. ‘A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said: “The Messenger of Allah commanded us to build Masjids among the houses, and to clean them and perfume them.” This was recorded by Ahmad and the Sunan compilers with the exception of An-Nasa'i. Ahmad and Abu Dawud recorded a similar report from Samurah bin Jundub.

Al-Bukhari said: “'Umar said: ‘Build for the people a place to worship Allah, and beware of using red or yellow for adornment and decoration and distracting the people thereby.’”

Abu Dawud narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas said, “The Messenger of Allah said:

«I was not commanded to Tashyid the Masjids.»

Ibn ‘Abbas said, “Decorating them as the Jews and Christians did.”

Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “The Messenger of Allah said:

«The Hour will not come until people show off in building Masjids.»

It was recorded by Ahmad and the compilers of the Sunan, with the exception of At-Tirmidhi.

Buraydah narrated that a man called out in the Masjid and said, “Has anybody seen a red camel?” The Prophet said:

«May you not find it! The Masjids were built only for what they were built for.»

This was recorded by Muslim.

Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah said:

«If you see someone buying or selling in the Masjid, say to him, "May Allah not make your trade profitable!" And if you see someone looking for something he has lost, say to him, "May Allah not restore it to you!"»

This was recorded by At-Tirmidhi, who said, “Hasan Gharib”.

It is confirmed in the Two Sahihs that the Messenger of Allah said:

«A man's prayer in congregation is twenty-five times better than his prayer in his house or the marketplace. That is because if he performs Wudu' and does it well, then he goes out to go to the Masjid, and for no other purpose than to pray, he does not take one step but he increases in one level in status and one sin is removed. When he prays, the angels continue sending blessings on him as long as he is in the place where he prays, [they say], "O Allah, send blessings on him, O Allah, have mercy on him." And he will remain in a state of prayer as long as he is waiting for the prayer.»

The following is recorded in the Sunan:

«Those who walk to the Masjids when it is dark, give them the glad tidings of complete Light on the Day of Resurrection.»

When entering the Masjid, it is recommended to enter with one’s right foot, and to say the supplication recorded in Sahih Al-Bukhari, where it is narrated from ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr that the Messenger of Allah used to say, when he entered the Masjid:

«I seek refuge with Allah Almighty and with His Noble Face, and with His Eternal Domain, from the accursed Shaytan.»

[He (one of the narrators) asked. Is that all?’ He answered, ‘Yes’). If he says this, the Shaytan says: “He will be protected from me all day long.”

Muslim recorded that Abu Humayd or Abu Usayd said: The Messenger of Allah said:

«When anyone of you enters the Masjid, let him say: "O Allah, open the gates of Your mercy for me." And when he comes out, let him say: "O Allah, I ask You of Your bounty."»

An-Nasa'i also recorded this from them from the Prophet. Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, said: The Messenger of Allah said:

«When anyone of you enters the Masjid, let him invoke blessings on the Prophet then let him say: "O Allah, open the gates of Your mercy for me." When he comes out, let him invoke blessings on the Prophet and say, "O Allah, protect me from the accursed Shaytan."»

This was also recorded by Ibn Majah, as well as Ibn Khuzaymah and Ibn Hibban in their Sahihs.

{in them His Name is remembered} meaning, the Name of Allah. This is like the Ayat:

{O Children of Adam! Take your adornment to every Masjid ...} 7:31

{You should face (Him only) in each and every Masjid, and invoke Him only making your religion sincere to Him} 7:29.

{And the Masjids are for Allah} 72:18.

{in them His Name is remembered.} Ibn ‘Abbas said, “This means that His Book is recited therein.”

This is like the Ayat

{O you who believe! Let not your properties or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah.} 63:9

{O you who believe! When the call is proclaimed for the Salah on Friday, hasten earnestly to the remembrance of Allah and leave off business.} 62:9

Allah says that this world and its adornments, attractions and marketplaces should not distract them from remembering their Lord Who created them and sustains them, those who know that what is with Him is better for them than what they themselves possess, because what they have is transient but that which is with Allah is eternal. Allah says:

meaning, they give priority to obeying Allah and doing what He wants and what pleases Him over doing what they want and what pleases them. It was reported from Salim from ‘Abdullah bin Umar that he was in the marketplace when the Iqamah for prayer was called, so they closed their stores and entered the Masjid. Ibn Umar said: “Concerning them the Ayah was revealed:

{Men whom neither trade nor business diverts from the remembrance of Allah}.”

This was recorded by Ibn Abi Hatim and Ibn Jarir.

‘Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn ‘Abbas said, “This meant from the prescribed prayers.” This was also the view of Muqatil bin Hayyan and Ar-Rabi‘ bin Anas. As-Suddi said: “From prayer in congregation.” Muqatil bin Hayyan said, “That does not distract them from attending the prayer and establishing it as Allah commanded them, and from doing the prayers at the prescribed times and doing all that Allah has enjoined upon them in the prayer.”

means, the Day of Resurrection when people’s hearts and eyes will be overturned, because of the intensity of the fear and terror of that Day. This is like the Ayah:

{And warn them of the Day that is drawing near ...} 40:18,

{but He gives them respite up to a Day when the eyes will stare in horror} 14:42.

{And they give food, inspite of their love for it, to the poor, the orphan, and the captive, (saying:) “We feed you seeking Allah's Face only. We wish for no reward, nor thanks from you. Verily, We fear from our Lord a Day, hard and distressful, that will make the faces look horrible.” So Allah saved them from the evil of that Day, and gave them a light of beauty and joy. And their recompense shall be Paradise, and silken garments, because they were patient} 76:8-12.

And Allah says here:

meaning, “They are those from whom We shall accept the best of their deeds and overlook their evil deeds.”

means, He will accept their good deeds and multiply them for them, as Allah says:

{Surely, Allah wrongs not even of the weight of a speck of dust.} 4:40

{Whoever brings a good deed shall have ten times the like thereof to his credit.} 6:160

{Who is he that will lend to Allah a goodly loan.} 2:245

{Allah gives manifold increase to whom He wills.} 2:261
And Allah says here: