In the name of Allah, the Source of all Mercy, the Mercy Giver

Golden Gems?
?Never stand thou forth therein. There is a mosque whose foundation was laid from the first day on piety; it is more worthy of thy standing forth (for prayer) therein. In it are men who love to be purified; and Allah loves those who make themselves pure.? (Qur'an 9 verse 108)

?Pure & Precious Pearl?
THE CENTRE FOR ALL
All things being equal, your house is the centre point of your living. It is your home. It is your safety and comfort; the harbinger of your success; the security of your acquisition; the nursery of your prosperity; and the museum of your past. It is from there that you prepares to face the day?s challenges and it is to it that you returns to refresh from life?s wears and tears. To perform these functions in the life of an individual, the house must therefore, be conceived, designed, structured and maintained with maximum concern. Little wonder than that the Prophet (peace be upon him) regarded a spacious home as one of the good things in life.

Just as it is with the individual, the community is also bound to conceive and maintain a physical centre-point , a convergence of their history, safety, and pride. Different communities institute different landmark: the village square, the city centre, the town hall or a park, parade, palace, market, shrine, or a statue-filled arena. For the Muslim Community, the centre-point of our life is the Masjid (the Mosque).

The Masjid is the Centre for everyone and everything. It supports the spiritual, the school and studies. Its courtyard and side halls serve a social functions as well as a business purpose. The Masjid is the place of entertainment, a source of welfare and charity. It is the point of safety from aggression, oppression, racism, injustice and poverty. Allah says, ?Remember We made the house a place of assembly for men and a place of safety; and ?a place of prayer?? (Qur'an 2 verse 125)

The Mosque is built by individuals for Allah?s sake. Everyone regardless of origin, colour and language is allowed into the Masjid . For as long as they abide by the etiquette of the Masjid , they are permitted therein. No one should be discriminated against; rather, they should find solution in the Masjid . Voices are not to be raised therein; sales should be discouraged in the main prayer hall.

Each neighbourhood where there are Muslims should have a mosque. It is in the heart of the neighbourhood. It is the centre of worship . It is the centre of guidance . It is the centre of intelligence, knowledge and wisdom. It is the social centre for integration and regeneration, friendship and support, and communal life. Sadly today, the Masjid has been reduced to just a place for worship. Guidance and supports are clearly lacking not to mention the issue of communal regeneration and social integration. Co-worshippers are still strangers even after years of co-worshipping because we know of each other nothing more than names and direction of residence.

?Rare Gems
While we were in the mosque with Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) a desert Arab, came and stood up and began to urinate in the mosque. The companions of Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: Stop, stop ; but the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: ?Don't interrupt him; leave him along.? They left him alone, and when he finished urinating, Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) called him and said to him: ?These mosques are not the places meant for urine and filth, but are only for the remembrance of Allah, prayers and the recitation of the Qur'an.? He (the narrator) said that he (the Prophet) then gave orders to one of the people who brought a bucket of water and poured it the urine. (Muslim)