*In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.* *The Virtue of Building Mosques* Building, maintaining, and preparing mosques for worshippers is among the greatest acts of righteousness and goodness, for which Allah, the Most High, has promised a tremendous reward. It is a form of ṣadaqah jāriyah (ongoing charity), whose reward continues even after a person’s death. Allah, the Most High, says: “The mosques of Allah are only to be maintained by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, establish the prayer, give zakāh, and fear none but Allah. It is they who are expected to be upon true guidance.” (Sūrah al-Tawbah, 9:18) The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever builds a mosque, Allah will build for him its like in Paradise.” Narrated by al-Bukhārī (450) and Muslim (533) from the hadīth of ʿUthmān (may Allah be pleased with him). It is also narrated by Ibn Mājah (738) from Jābir ibn ʿAbdillāh (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Whoever builds a mosque for Allah, even the size of a sandgrouse’s nest or smaller, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise.” Authenticated by al-Albānī. The qaṭā (sandgrouse) is a well-known bird, and its mafḥaṣ is the place where it lays its eggs. It was specifically mentioned because it does not lay eggs in trees or on mountaintops, but rather makes its nest on flat ground, unlike other birds—hence the comparison to a mosque. The scholars have stated that this description is for the purpose of emphasis—that even if the mosque is as small as that, the reward still applies. ⸻ *The Reward for Contributing to the Building of a Mosque* Whoever contributes to the construction of a mosque receives a reward in accordance with his contribution, and he also earns a second reward for assisting others in righteousness and piety. Shaykh Ibn ʿUthaymīn (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked: “If two, three, or more people jointly build a mosque, does each one receive the full reward for building a mosque, or is it less?” He responded: “Have you read Sūrah al-Zalzalah? What does Allah say at the end of it?” The questioner replied: ‘So whoever does an atom’s weight of good shall see it’ (Sūrah al-Zalzalah, 99:7). The Shaykh said: ‘So whoever does an atom’s weight of good shall see it. And whoever does an atom’s weight of evil shall see it’ (99:7–8). “Each person will be rewarded for what he did. However, he will also receive a second reward for cooperating in goodness—because had each person not contributed his small portion, the mosque would not have been built. So, we say: he receives the reward of his own deed and also the reward of helping and supporting others. “For example: if a man spends 100 riyals as charity, he gets rewarded for that. But if he spends 100 riyals toward the construction of a mosque, that spending brings about benefit in two ways: First: the direct act of giving—he is rewarded for those dirhams; Second: the help he offered in realising the building of the mosque. “However, if one man donates 20,000 riyals and another donates 20 riyals, it is not correct to say that both receive the same reward of having built an entire mosque. That is not possible. “Look, my brother! Reward is according to the deed. So we say: each one receives the reward of his own contribution and the reward of cooperation in establishing the mosque.” 🔗 End of quote from Liqāʾ al-Bāb al-Maftūḥ, session 230, question 21 ⸻ *The scholars of the Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Fatwa were asked:* “If a person donates an amount of money on behalf of himself and his family towards the building of a mosque with a group of people, is this considered ṣadaqah jāriyah for each of them?” They answered: “Donating money for the building of a mosque—or taking part in it—is considered ṣadaqah jāriyah (ongoing charity) for the one who donates it, or for the one on whose behalf it is given, so long as the intention is good and the money is from a lawful source.” 🔗 Fatāwā al-Lajnah al-Dāʾimah, 6/237 Thus, if your brothers share with you in donating land or contributing to the construction of the mosque, then all of you receive reward and recompense. ⸻ *Which Is Better: Building a Small Mosque or to a Larger One?* Shaykh Ibn ʿUthaymīn (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked this question, and we mention his response here for benefit: He was asked: “If someone wishes to build a mosque with a certain amount of money, which is better: to collaborate with others in building a large mosque that will not require demolition or expansion in future (especially given population growth), or to independently build a small mosque without partners?” He replied: “The first option is better, because a small mosque may initially serve a small number of people, but as their numbers grow, it may need to be demolished and rebuilt. However, if the people around the small mosque are in greater need of it than those of the larger mosque, then they take priority due to necessity. “But if both groups are equal in need, then contributing to the larger mosque is better, because it is more secure in the long term. “So the matter depends on the circumstances: – If those near the small mosque are in pressing need, then building the small mosque is better. – But if there is no such pressing need—or if both locations are of equal necessity—then contributing to the larger mosque is preferable.” 🔗 End of quote from al-Liqāʾ al-Shahrī, session 24, question 18 ⸻ Let’s keep the momentum strong as we strive to reach our Phase 1 fundraising target of £350,000 to complete our new masjid building, bi’idhnillāh. Your donation could become a lasting Sadaqah Jāriyah — benefiting you and future generations, in shā’ Allāh. *🔗 Donate generously:* https://app.givematch.com/fr/M4iRx1u6 May Allāh reward you all for your continued generosity and support. 📱 WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaguHlo4o7qTg6y3cd2q ‎ا═•═🕌═•═ا *Masjid Daar Al-Hadeeth* 96B Lower Clapton Road, Hackney, E5 0QR