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City People Reveals What Should Be Known About It
Popular Lagos-based Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Ahamad Bukhari Al-Mukhtar has done the Muslim community proud in the way he went about delivering an ultra-modern mosque building and Islamic centre with top notch and state of the earth facilities in it to them. This noble cause of building the mosque within a year no doubt, remains a reference point which is worthy of emulation by Muslim communities many of whom find it difficult to achieve the same fit over the years. In fact, it takes some of them a lifetime to raise adequate money to finance the building of their central mosques. It’s a wake-up call and has come to change the narrative of Mosque building for good as it can now be achieved in record time.
According to the Sheikh whom the success story was tied around, he said the mosque was built courtesy of the contributions made by muslims across the world, many of whom are members of his organisations; Al-Huda Al-Mukhtariyyah International Prayer Mission and Muhammad Rosulullah Global Family. He said their supports was immense in the realisation of the much talked about mosque. All he said was done within 1 year.
Many may wonder that since the mosque was largely built via contribution from members of Al-Huda Al-Mukhtariyah International Prayer Mission and Muhammad Rosulullah Global Family, they can actually come and worship in the mosque. In response to this the Sheikh has expressly mentioned in his speech that the mosque belongs to the entire muslim community regardless of the group they belong to. In as much as they are Muslims and believed in the prophethood of Muhammad (SAW). They are all welcome. He said the love for the prophet brought about the name given to the Mosque and it is open to every muslim.
In addition to this, the mosque has in it, an Islamic Centre which houses a session called Religion Moderation Centre where issues of extremism would be nipped in the board. More of this was emphasised on at the annual Muhammad Rosulullah International Conference, held inside the mosque. It was at the conference that a communique was made to go ahead and set up the centre to achieve the goal. This will be the first of its kind in Nigeria.
Also worthy of note is that the Islamic centre has provision for an Arabic centre where Quran memorisation and translations would be taught as a way of churning out more scholars who would further propagate the message of Islam.
Taking a look at the design of the mosque complex, one would see that it is unprecedented in the country. Its architectural design is top notch as it towered a 3-storey building with penthouse over it. It has a classy and well carved round shaped dome and an office for the Director of the Islamic centre. Both the interior and exterior designs are best described as reigning Arabic civilisation classics. It is a beauty to behold.
The mosque is the first in Lagos state and probably in the entire Nigeria with an elevator. It is fully endowed with Air Conditioners, toilets and ablution centre inclusive. The mosque premises and strategic places have Close Circuit Television (CCTV) installed in them. It is indeed a mosque where people can worship with a coolness of mind under a very conducive and relaxing ambience. It is typical of what could be found in Saudi Arabia where Muslims travel every year for pilgrimage. Those who have been to Mecca can have a feel of the ambience once they visit the mosque in Surulere.
THE IMPORTANCE
OF MOSQUE TO MUSLIM COMMUNITY
Mosques are as old as Islam itself; they are the beating heart of a Muslim community and stand, as a physical example of the Islamic faith. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) showed example by helping in the construction of the first mosque in Medina, as it was part of his will to define a place of worship for Muslims everywhere.
A mosque provides so much more than a simple house of worship though, it is a precious sanctuary that provides a place for individual enlightenment, education and moral guidance. Inside the hallowed walls of a blessed masjid is where children are taught about the Qur’an, where devotees come to honour and worship Allah (SWT) and where they come together for special occasions in the community, such as holidays, weddings and funerals.
Muslims recognise the importance of these beautiful places of worship, but do you know what the benefits of building a mosque are? The reward for building a mosque is great and unending; for every prayer said inside a mosque you’ve helped build, Allah (SWT) will reward you in Jannah. As well as the rewards you can receive for building a mosque, the community in which you’ve built the mosque will benefit as well! The Prophet said, “When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: Sadaqah Jariyah (continuing charity), knowledge which is beneficial, or a virtuous descendant who prays for him” [Muslim]
Building a mosque is a wonderful act of Sadaqah Jariyah! The reward for building a mosque is unending, and as long as people are benefiting from the mosque, you’ve helped build, you will continue to receive rewards from Allah (SWT) even in the Hereafter. The benefits of building a mosque are plain as day if you think of all the rewards you will receive for every single prayer made in your mosque!
The Prophet Muhammad said, “Whoever relieves the hardship of a believer in this world, Allah will relieve his hardship on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever helps ease one in difficulty, Allah will make it easy for him in this world and in the Hereafter.” [Muslim]
There are many poor communities where Muslims living there cannot afford to make necessary repairs or upgrades to their mosques, and some don’t even have a local mosque at all. In these communities, people find themselves setting up for prayer outside in the hot sun or pouring rain, walking mile after mile to go to a neighbouring town’s mosque or praying alone without the benefits of congressional worship.
Communal prayer, spiritual guidance, Islamic education for children and a safe community hub are only a few of the benefits of building a mosque in these communities. When you build a mosque for the less fortunate, you are providing them with a sturdy house of worship that will foster their moral and spiritual development for years to come. By building a mosque for those in need, you are bringing life back to the community.
