By Ishola Balogun

“In it are Signs Manifest; (for example), the Station of Abraham; whoever enters it attains security; Pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allah,- those who can afford the journey; but if any deny faith, Allah stands not in need of any of His creatures. “. (3:97)

NO doubt, all mosques are moreorless like the Kaaba in status. Although it is the first House of worship established for mankind in Makkah, but all other mosques are held in the same view, representing the Kaaba in all ramifications.  A mosque is a blessed and virtuous place.

It ellicits the divine blessings for worshippers while also providing an effective tool for inviting people to Allah which is necessary for the propagation of Islam.  It facilitates and promotes worship of Allah and therefore fosters a personal bond of love and devotion between man and his God. A mosque is essentially a first step towards fostering unity and brotherhood amongst Muslim.

The commaraderie and spirit behind meeting in a mosque is wonderful. It is therefore a powerful force for the muslim ummah.  That is why Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) emphasised on the importance of building mosques as one of the good deeds that endures even after death.

With the commissioning of the N150million Ikorodu NASFAT mosque last Sunday, it has added to the list of mosques for the Muslim Ummah in the area.  The building which started about five years ago became the cynosure of eyes along the Akasoleri, Ikorodu-Itokin road, Lagos. No one passes through the area without taking a look at the magnificient building both in size and quality at least in the area.

A mosque

Just like the chairman of the branch of the society who could not fight back emotions while delivering his speech during the commisioning said, “I wish to reflect on the achievements Almighty Allah bestowed on us.  Within four years, we are able to complete this magnificient mosque.  I did not do it alone, it was the effort and contribution of the entire members of the branch with the help of our well wishers.

This mosque is estimated to have been built at a cost of N150million.  Till now, I cannot say this is how we raised the money;  we are not owing anybody;  there was no fund raising ceremony neither did we borrow any kobo from bank. It was the contribution of the  entire members.” Olowosago said.

Yes! he can’t thank all those who donated to the building enough, Allah’s reward is bountious.  The reward for contributing in the building of the House of Allah is aljanah.  The Prophet (s.a.w) said it emphatically that “Whoever builds a mosque for Allah, Allah will build for him a mansion in Paradise.”

[Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Muslim] That is why all over the world, the call to partake in the building of a mosque should be seen as obtaining a ticket for aljanah, if we all know.   Apart from the ultimate reward, the building of a mosque in a way affords a person to continue to earn the blessings of Allah even after death.

The Prophet (s.a.w) said: “Among what continues to accrue for a believer of his good works after death are the following:  knowledge that he learned and then imparted to others;  a pious child whom he left behind; a copy of the Qur’ân that he bequeathed; a mosque that he built; a guest house he built for travelers; a river that he made to flow; and charity he spends from his wealth when he is in good health; – all of these continue to abide with him after his death.”

The Prophet (s.a.w) said: “Build mosques and clear rubbish out of them. For this who buld a mosque for Allah. A man asked, and this goes for mosques we build on roads? He said: yes, and clearing them off rubbish is the dowry for the beauties in paradise.”

Dear brethren, whoever builds a mosque for Allah, Allah, The Exalted, shall build a house for such person in paradise.  That invariably means the builder will gain paradise and will be specially recognised therein. To Allah, the most adored places are the mosques.

Mosques are the houses of Allah and those believers who enter therein are the guests of Allah.  Those who visit the mosques in darkness convey to them the good news that Allah shall bestow upon them from Himself perfect light on the day of judgment.

For him who makes his ablutions at home and then walks to one of the houses of Allah to discharge his obligations imposed on him by Allah, one single step of his towards the mosque wipes out a sin and next step raises his status.

The lesson is just that no matter your position in life, generusity with  what Allah has given you will provide a place for you in the hereafter. Certainly, what remains with you will perish, and what remains with Allah will endsure.

Muharam Sisters challenge Muslim lawyers over prison inmates
By Gift Gabriel

MUslim lawyers and senior advocates have been challenged to help the deprived  Muslims in prison to access justice.
Throwing this challenge, Muharam Sisters, a group of Muslim women professionals, disclosed that a number of the prison inmates they had interacted with in the course of their duties were apparently innocent but could not have access to justice due to lack of resources.

The Amira of the group, Alhaja Sekinat Yusuf, who was speaking at the Quranic graduation (wolimat) of 35 inmates at Ikoyi Prisons in Lagos recently, gave a case study of a young man who had remained in prison since 2009 for standing as a guarantor for someone who later defaulted. The Quranic School was the 1st of its kind organised in the prison by Muharam Sisters.

Speaking in response to Alhaja Sekinat’s call, Alhaja Oluranti Adebule, Secretary to the State Government, Lagos State, explained that the state government recently inaugurated a committee on Prerogative of Mercy to assist inmates.

According to her, the committee had already started going round prisons in the state to grant freedom to inmates found innocent under the Prerogative of Mercy.

Chairman at the occasion, Alhaji Kolawole Ayanwale, who also challenged Muslim lawyers and senior advocates, however encouraged the graduands to endeavour to live exemplary lives, while even in the prison.

“As long as you are here, your behaviour and utterances must show that you are Muslims who have been through Quranic School”, he said.

Commending the Muharam Sisters for their efforts geared towards making prisons all across Lagos state places for correction rather than of condemnation, the Assistant Comptroller General of Prisons, Zone 1, Pastor Segun and Deputy Comptroller of Prisons, Ikoyi, Bamidele Emmanuel Olarenwaju, called on spirited individuals and groups to emulate the group for its continuous support in the areas of education, amenities, health, bail, and total welfare for the inmates.