Surah 9:18
Show Full Scripture Context (9:17-18) — 2 Verses
مَا كَانَ لِلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ أَن يَعۡمُرُواْ مَسَٰجِدَ ٱللَّهِ شَٰهِدِينَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِم بِٱلۡكُفۡرِۚ أُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ حَبِطَتۡ أَعۡمَٰلُهُمۡ وَفِي ٱلنَّارِ هُمۡ خَٰلِدُونَ
It is not for the idolaters to inhabit the mosques of God, (while) bearing witness against themselves of disbelief. Those – their deeds have come to nothing, and in the Fire they will remain.
إِنَّمَا يَعۡمُرُ مَسَٰجِدَ ٱللَّهِ مَنۡ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِ وَأَقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَى ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَلَمۡ يَخۡشَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَۖ فَعَسَىٰٓ أُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ أَن يَكُونُواْ مِنَ ٱلۡمُهۡتَدِينَ
Only he will inhabit the mosques of God who believes in God and the Last Day, and observes the prayer and gives the alms, and does not fear (anyone) but God. It may be that those – they will be among the (rightly) guided ones.
Allah says that it is not fitting that those who associate others with Allah in worship should maintain the Masjids of Allah that were built in His Name alone without partners. Those who read the Ayah, “Masjid AUdh”, said that it refers to Al-Masjid Al-Haram, the most honored Masjid on the earth, which was built, from the first day, for the purpose of worshipping Allah alone without partners. It was built by Khalil Ar-Rahman (the Prophet Ibrahim) peace be upon him. The idolaters do this while they themselves testify to their disbelief with their statements and actions. As-Suddi said, “If you ask a Christian, What is your religion?’, He will tell you he is a Christian. If you ask a Jew about his religion, he will say he is a Jew, and the same for a Sabt and a Mushriki ’”
4The works of such are in vain >, because of their Shirk,
iand in Fire shall they abide.}
Allah said in another Ayah,
And why should not Allah punish them while they hinder (men) from Al-Masjid Al-Hardm, and they are not its guardians? None can be its guardians except those with Taqwd, but most of than know «ot.^[8:34].
Believers are the True Maintainers of the Masjids
Allah said,
4The Masjids of Allah shall be maintained only by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day.}
Therefore, Allah testifies to the faith of those who maintain the Masjids.
‘Abdur-Razzaq narrated that ‘Amr bin MaymQn Al-Awdi said, “I met the Companions of the Prophet and they were saying, The Masjids are the Houses of Allah on the earth. It is a promise from Allah that He is generous to those who visit Him in the Masjids.,” Allah said next,
{perform the Saldh}, one of the major acts of worship practiced by the body,
{and give the Zakah}, which is the best act that benefits other people.
{and fear none but Allah}, they fear only Allah, the Exalted, and none else,
{ It is they who are on true guidance .}
‘Ali bin Abi Talhah said that lbn ‘Abbas said about Allah’s statement,
{ The Masjids of Allah shall be maintained only by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day;}
“He who singles out Allah (in worship), has faith in the Last Day.” [And he said]; “He who believes in what Allah has revealed,
{perform the Salah}, establishes the five daily prayers,
{and fear none but Allah.}, worships Allah alone,
{it may be they who are on true guidance.}
Allah says, It is they who are the successful ones in truth.’ Similarly, Allah said to His Prophet
It may be that your Lord will raise you to Maqam Mahmud}[17:79].
Allah says here, ‘Your Lord (O Muhammad) shall grant you a station of praise, that is, the intercession (on the Day of Resurrection).' Every ‘might’ in the Qur’an means ‘shall’.”
— from Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Vol. 4, Page 388-391)