Are your prayers harming your neighbours?

In this eye-opening skit, Steve Dabliz highlights the importance of looking after your neighbours, particularly those surrounding the mosque. It’s inexcusable to harm your neighbours when attending the Mosque, not only are your jeopardising your own prayers but you are also harming the stability of the Mosque in the Community.

The Prophet, (Peace and blessings be upon him) said: “By Allah, he is not a believer! By Allah, he is not a believer! By Allah, he is not a believer.’’ It was asked, “Who is that, O Messenger of Allah?’’ He said, “One whose neighbour does not feel safe from his evil” (Sahih Bukhari).

Jumu‘ah time is known and so it is best to prepare for it in advance to take full advantage of its reward and blessings, and avoid the expected rush of Muslims and those arriving late and resorting to parking violations just to attend. Islam places such a big emphasis on the manner and timing of our arrival to Jumu‘ah, that we should pay the same respect to it.

Abu Hurayrah (may Allāh be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said: “Whoever does ghusl on Friday like ghusl for janābah, then goes to the prayer (in the first hour, i.e., early), it is as if he sacrificed a camel. Whoever goes in the second hour, it is as if he sacrificed a cow; whoever goes in the third hour, it is as if he sacrificed a horned ram; whoever goes in the fourth hour, it is as if he sacrificed a hen; and whoever goes in the fifth hour it is as if he offered an egg. When the imam comes out, the angels come to listen to the khuṭbah.” (Sahih Bukhāri and Sahih Muslim)

Parking may seem like something trivial to stress about, but it is vital to follow in the footsteps of our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) in every matter. Ideally, we should strive to park a little farther from the masjid and reap the rewards of every step taken towards the House of Allah.