Surah Tawbah ayat 108 Tafsir Quran 9:108

﴿لَا تَقُمْ فِيهِ أَبَدًا ۚ لَّمَسْجِدٌ أُسِّسَ عَلَى التَّقْوَىٰ مِنْ أَوَّلِ يَوْمٍ أَحَقُّ أَن تَقُومَ فِيهِ ۚ فِيهِ رِجَالٌ يُحِبُّونَ أَن يَتَطَهَّرُوا ۚ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُطَّهِّرِينَ﴾
[ التوبة: 108]

9:108 Do not stand [for prayer] within it - ever. A mosque founded on righteousness from the first day is more worthy for you to stand in. Within it are men who love to purify themselves; and Allah loves those who purify themselves.

Never stand never perform prayer there and so he sent a group of men to destroy and burn it and in its place they left a refuse pit where decaying cadavers would be dumped. A mosque which was founded one whose foundations were built upon piety from the first day constructed the day you arrived in Medina dār al-hijra — this was the mosque of Qubā’ as mentioned in Bukhārī — is worthier than that other one for you to stand to perform prayer therein; in it are men namely the Ansār who love to purify themselves; and God loves those who purify themselves muttahhirīn the original tā’ of mutatahhirūn has been assimilated with the tā’ that is He will reward them. Ibn Khuzayma reported in his Sahīh by way of an isnād from ‘Uwaym b. Sā‘ida that ‘The Prophet s came to them at the mosque of Qubā’ and said “God exalted be He has praised handsomely the way you purify yourselves in the story about your mosque so what is this purification which you perform?” They said “By God O Messenger of God all that we know is that we used to have Jews in our vicinity and they used to wash their behinds after defecation and so we began to wash in the way they did”’. According to one hadīth reported by al-Bazzār they said ‘We use stones to scrape off remnants and follow this with water’; to which he the Prophet said ‘That is the way for proper purification. Let this be your way’.

Never set foot in it, nor perform an act of worship therein. A Mosque built on piety, obedience to Allah and the intention of serving Allahs purpose from the first day merits visiting for the purpose of worship; it is the most appropriate and the most worthy place for the purpose. Therein are people who aspire to physical purity and the purity of their souls and their minds. And Allah likes those who are physically, morally and spiritually pure

Masjid Ad-Dirar and Masjid At-Taqwa The reason behind revealing these honorable Ayat is that before the Messenger of Allah ﷺ migrated to Al-Madinah, there was a man from Al-Khazraj called "Abu `Amir Ar-Rahib ( the Monk )." This man embraced Christianity before Islam and read the Scriptures.
During the time of Jahiliyyah, Abu `Amir was known for being a worshipper and being a notable person among Al-Khazraj.
When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ arrived at Al-Madinah after the Hijrah, the Muslims gathered around him and the word of Islam was triumphant on the day of Badr, causing Abu `Amir, the cursed one, to choke on his own saliva and announce his enmity to Islam.
He fled from Al-Madinah to the idolators of Quraysh in Makkah to support them in the war against the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
The Quraysh united their forces and the bedouins who joined them for the battle of Uhud, during which Allah tested the Muslims, but the good end is always for the pious and righteous people.
The rebellious Abu `Amir dug many holes in the ground between the two camps, into one of which the Messenger fell, injuring his face and breaking one of his right lower teeth.
He also sustained a head injury.
Before the fighting started, Abu `Amir approached his people among the Ansar and tried to convince them to support and agree with him.
When they recognized him, they said, "May Allah never burden an eye by seeing you, O Fasiq one, O enemy of Allah!" They cursed him and he went back declaring, "By Allah! Evil has touched my people after I left." The Messenger of Allah ﷺ called Abu `Amir to Allah and recited the Qur'an to him before his flight to Makkah, but he refused to embrace Islam and rebelled.
The Messenger ﷺ invoked Allah that Abu `Amir die as an outcast in an alien land, and his invocation came true.
After the battle of Uhud was finished, Abu `Amir realized that the Messenger's ﷺ call was still rising and gaining momentum, so he went to Heraclius, the emperor of Rome, asking for his aid against the Prophet .
Heraclius gave him promises and Abu `Amir remained with him.
He also wrote to several of his people in Al-Madinah, who embraced hypocrisy, promising and insinuating to them that he will lead an army to fight the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to defeat him and his call.
He ordered them to establish a stronghold where he could send his emissaries and to serve as an outpost when he joins them later on.
These hypocrites built a Masjid next to the Masjid in Quba', and they finished building it before the Messenger ﷺ went to Tabuk.
They went to the Messenger ﷺ inviting him to pray in their Masjid so that it would be a proof that the Messenger ﷺ approved of their Masjid.
They told him that they built the Masjid for the weak and ill persons on rainy nights.
However, Allah prevented His Messenger from praying in that Masjid.
He said to them,
«إِنَّا عَلَى سَفَرٍ وَلَكِنْ إِذَا رَجَعْنَا إِنْ شَاءَ الله»
( If we come back from our travel, Allah willing. )" When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ came back from Tabuk and was approximately one or two days away from Al-Madinah, Jibril came down to him with the news about Masjid Ad-Dirar and the disbelief and division between the believers, who were in Masjid Quba' ( which was built on piety from the first day ), that Masjid Ad-Dirar was meant to achieve.
Therefore, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent some people to Masjid Ad-Dirar to bring it down before he reached Al-Madinah.
`Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said about this Ayah ( 9:107 ), "They are some people of the Ansar to whom Abu `Amir said, `Build a Masjid and prepare whatever you can of power and weapons, for I am headed towards Caesar, emperor of Rome, to bring Roman soldiers with whom I will expel Muhammad and his companions.' When they built their Masjid, they went to the Prophet and said to him, "We finished building our Masjid and we would like you pray in it and invoke Allah for us for His blessings."Allah revealed this verse, لاَ تَقُمْ فِيهِ أَبَدًا ( Never stand you therein ), until, الْظَّـلِمِينَ ( ...wrongdoers ) " Allah said next, وَلَيَحْلِفَنَّ ( they will indeed swear ), those who built it, إِنْ أَرَدْنَا إِلاَّ الْحُسْنَى ( that their intention is nothing but good. ) by building this Masjid we sought the good and the comfort of the people.
Allah replied, وَاللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنَّهُمْ لَكَـذِبُونَ ( Allah bears witness that they are certainly liars ) for they only built it to harm Masjid Quba', and out of disbelief in Allah, and to divide the believers.
They made it an outpost for those who warred against Allah and His Messenger , such as Abu `Amir the Fasiq who used to be called Ar-Rahib, may Allah curse him! Allah said, لاَ تَقُمْ فِيهِ أَبَدًا ( Never stand you therein ), prohibiting His Prophet and his Ummah from ever standing in it in prayer. Virtues of Masjid Quba Allah encouraged His Prophet to pray in Masjid Quba' which, from the first day, was built on Taqwa, obedience to Allah and His Messenger , for gathering the word of the believers and as an outpost and a fort for Islam and its people.
This is why Allah the Exalted said, لَّمَسْجِدٌ أُسِّسَ عَلَى التَّقْوَى مِنْ أَوَّلِ يَوْمٍ أَحَقُّ أَن تَقُومَ فِيهِ ( Verily, the Masjid whose foundation was laid from the first day on Taqwa is more worthy that you stand therein (to pray ).) in reference to the Masjid of Quba'.
An authentic Hadith records that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«صَلَاةٌ فِي مَسْجِدِ قُبَاءٍ كَعُمْرَة»
( One prayer in Masjid Quba' is just like an `Umrah. ) It is recorded in the Sahih that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to visit Masjid Quba' while riding and walking.
Imam Ahmad recorded that `Uwaym bin Sa`idah Al-Ansari said that the Prophet went to Masjid Quba' and asked,
«إِنَّ اللهَ تَعَالَى قَدْ أَحْسَنَ عَلَيْكُمُ الثَّنَاءَ فِي الطُّهُورِ فِي قِصَّةِ مَسْجِدِكُمْ، فَمَا هَذَا الطُّهُورُ الَّذِي تَطَهَّرُونَ بِهِ؟»
( In the story about your Masjid, Allah the Exalted has praised you concerning the purification that you perform.
What is the purification that you perform ) They said, "By Allah, O Allah's Messenger! We do not know except that we had neighbors from the Jews who used to use water to wash with after answering the call of nature, and we washed as they washed." Ibn Khuzaymah collected this Hadith in his Sahih.
Allah's statement, لَّمَسْجِدٌ أُسِّسَ عَلَى التَّقْوَى مِنْ أَوَّلِ يَوْمٍ أَحَقُّ أَن تَقُومَ فِيهِ فِيهِ رِجَالٌ يُحِبُّونَ أَن يَتَطَهَّرُواْ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُطَّهِّرِينَ ( Verily, the Masjid whose foundation was laid from the first day on Taqwa is more worthy that you stand therein (to pray ).
In it are men who love to clean and purify themselves.
And Allah loves those who make themselves clean and pure.) This encourages praying in old Masjids that were built for the purpose of worshipping Allah alone, without partners.
It is also recommended to join the prayer with the believing group and worshippers who implement their faith, those who perform Wudu' perfectly and preserve themselves from impure things.
Imam Ahmad recorded that one of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ led them in a Dawn ( Subh ) prayer in which he recited Surat Ar-Rum ( chapter 30 ) and made mistakes in the recitation.
When he finished the prayer, he said,
«إِنَّهُ يَلْبِسُ عَلَيْنَا الْقُرْآنَ أَنَّ أَقْوَامًا مِنْكُمْ يُصَلُّونَ مَعَنَا لَا يُحْسِنُونَ الْوُضُوءَ، فَمَنْ شَهِدَ الصَّلَاةَ مَعَنَا فَلْيُحْسِنِ الْوُضُوء»
( We sometimes make mistakes in reciting the Qur'an, there are people among you who attend the prayer with us, but do not perform Wudu' perfectly.
Therefore, whoever attends the prayer with us let him make perfect Wudu'. ) This Hadith indicates that complete purification helps in the performance of acts of worship and aids in preserving and completing them.

(9:108) You should never stand in that building: the Mosque which has been founded on piety from the very first day, is the proper place for you to stand (for prayer). For there are such people in it as would like to keep themselves pure; and Allah likes those people who like to keep themselves pure. *102

Do not stand [for prayer] within it meaning

*102) " .
.
the one in conflict .
.
.
Messenger " was Abu `Amir who belonged to the clan of Aus of AI-Madinah.
He had become Christian monk during the period of `ignoranc' before the migration of the Holy Prophet and was well-known as a scholar of the Scriptures and was held in great reverence as a pious monk.
But his scholarship and asceticism, instead of leading him to the Truth, became hindrance in the way.
That was why he not only rejected Islam but also became a bitter enemy of the Holy Prophet and his Mission, for he took the Prophet for a rival in the " holy business " of priesthood.
At first he ignored the Holy Prophet and his Mission in the hope that the power of the Quraish would suffice to crush him and his Mission.
But when the Quraish suffered an utter defeat in the battle of Badr, he could no longer ignore it, so he started a vigorous vicious campaign against the Islamic Movement.
Accordingly he left Al-Madinah and visited .
different clans, in order to incite them against Islam, and was one of those who brought about the battle of Uhd.
It is said that he had got some pits dug in the battle-field of Uhd, and that the Holy Prophet fell into one of these and received injuries.
Then he played an important role in organizing the armies which came to invade Al-Madinah in the battle of Ahzab.
Likewise this Christian Monk took a very active part in giving support to the mushriks against Islam in all the subsequent battles up to the battle of Hunain, At last when he realized that no power in Arabia could withstand the onslaught of lslam.
he left Arabia and went to the Roman Caesar in order to warn him of the rising " danger " from AI-Madinah.
It was because of his efforts that the Caesar began to make preparations for invading Arabia, to counteract which the Holy Prophet went forth on the expedition to Tabuk.

Now let us consider the background of the building of the `mosque' that was built to harm the Righteous Mission.

A section of the hypocrites of AI-Madinah collaborated wholeheartedly with Abu `Amir in all the above-mentioned hostile activities against Islam.
They also fully agreed with him that he should use his " spiritual " influence to obtain military help from the Roman Caesar and the Christian states of northern Arabia.
Accordingly, when he was preparing to go to the Roman Caesar to urge him to invade Arabia.
they devised a plan of making a `mosque' of their own to serve as a safe meeting place for organizing themselves into a separate party because none would suspect that they were carrying on evil activities under the garb of religion.
Moreover.
this `mosque' would serve as an ambush for the agents of Abu `Amir who could stay in it as travellers and mendicants without raising any suspicion that they were spies of the enemy.

As there were already two mosques in Al-Madinah-one at Quba and the other, Masjid-i-Nabavi, in the city obviously there was no need for a third one.
The hypocrite's themselves understood this: therefore they began to invent " reasons " to show that there was really a need for a third mosque.
Accordingly, they went to the Holy Prophet and said, " We need another `mosque' because it is very difficult for the people of this area, especially the old, the sick and the disabled, to offer the five prescribed Prayers in either of the two Mosques, during the winter season and the rainfall.
Therefore we intend to build a new `mosque' only for the convenience of those who live at a distance from the two Mosques but are desirous of saying their prayers in congregation. "
With such professedly pure motives, these mischief makers built the 'mosque' and then went to the Holy Prophet with the request, " Sir, please stand in this new 'mosque' and lead the congregation in one of the prescribed prayers so as to perform its opening ceremony. " But the Holy Prophet postponed the matter, saying, " At this time I am wholly engaged in making preparations for the expedition to Tabuk.
I shall consider the matter on my return home.
" After this he went forth to Tabuk, and they started their nefarious activities.
They went on organizing themselves and conspiring against Islam in the `mosque' and decided to crown Abdullah-bin-Ubayy as their king, as soon as the Muslims would meet with reverses and be utterly crushed down by the Romans, as they had expected.
But their expectations were all frustrated by what happened at Tabuk.
Then on the revelation of these verses during the return journey at a place, Zi Avan, near AI-Madinah, the Holy Prophet despatched some men to demolish the mosque' before his entry into the city.

 

Masjid Ad-Dirar and Masjid At-Taqwa The reason behind revealing these honorable Ayat is that before the Messenger of Allah ﷺ migrated to Al-Madinah, there was a man from Al-Khazraj called "Abu `Amir Ar-Rahib ( the Monk )." This man embraced Christianity before Islam and read the Scriptures.
During the time of Jahiliyyah, Abu `Amir was known for being a worshipper and being a notable person among Al-Khazraj.
When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ arrived at Al-Madinah after the Hijrah, the Muslims gathered around him and the word of Islam was triumphant on the day of Badr, causing Abu `Amir, the cursed one, to choke on his own saliva and announce his enmity to Islam.
He fled from Al-Madinah to the idolators of Quraysh in Makkah to support them in the war against the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
The Quraysh united their forces and the bedouins who joined them for the battle of Uhud, during which Allah tested the Muslims, but the good end is always for the pious and righteous people.
The rebellious Abu `Amir dug many holes in the ground between the two camps, into one of which the Messenger fell, injuring his face and breaking one of his right lower teeth.
He also sustained a head injury.
Before the fighting started, Abu `Amir approached his people among the Ansar and tried to convince them to support and agree with him.
When they recognized him, they said, "May Allah never burden an eye by seeing you, O Fasiq one, O enemy of Allah!" They cursed him and he went back declaring, "By Allah! Evil has touched my people after I left." The Messenger of Allah ﷺ called Abu `Amir to Allah and recited the Qur'an to him before his flight to Makkah, but he refused to embrace Islam and rebelled.
The Messenger ﷺ invoked Allah that Abu `Amir die as an outcast in an alien land, and his invocation came true.
After the battle of Uhud was finished, Abu `Amir realized that the Messenger's ﷺ call was still rising and gaining momentum, so he went to Heraclius, the emperor of Rome, asking for his aid against the Prophet .
Heraclius gave him promises and Abu `Amir remained with him.
He also wrote to several of his people in Al-Madinah, who embraced hypocrisy, promising and insinuating to them that he will lead an army to fight the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to defeat him and his call.
He ordered them to establish a stronghold where he could send his emissaries and to serve as an outpost when he joins them later on.
These hypocrites built a Masjid next to the Masjid in Quba', and they finished building it before the Messenger ﷺ went to Tabuk.
They went to the Messenger ﷺ inviting him to pray in their Masjid so that it would be a proof that the Messenger ﷺ approved of their Masjid.
They told him that they built the Masjid for the weak and ill persons on rainy nights.
However, Allah prevented His Messenger from praying in that Masjid.
He said to them, «إِنَّا عَلَى سَفَرٍ وَلَكِنْ إِذَا رَجَعْنَا إِنْ شَاءَ الله» ( If we come back from our travel, Allah willing. )" When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ came back from Tabuk and was approximately one or two days away from Al-Madinah, Jibril came down to him with the news about Masjid Ad-Dirar and the disbelief and division between the believers, who were in Masjid Quba' ( which was built on piety from the first day ), that Masjid Ad-Dirar was meant to achieve.
Therefore, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent some people to Masjid Ad-Dirar to bring it down before he reached Al-Madinah.
`Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said about this Ayah ( 9:107 ), "They are some people of the Ansar to whom Abu `Amir said, `Build a Masjid and prepare whatever you can of power and weapons, for I am headed towards Caesar, emperor of Rome, to bring Roman soldiers with whom I will expel Muhammad and his companions.' When they built their Masjid, they went to the Prophet and said to him, "We finished building our Masjid and we would like you pray in it and invoke Allah for us for His blessings."Allah revealed this verse, لاَ تَقُمْ فِيهِ أَبَدًا ( Never stand you therein ), until, الْظَّـلِمِينَ ( ...wrongdoers ) " Allah said next, وَلَيَحْلِفَنَّ ( they will indeed swear ), those who built it, إِنْ أَرَدْنَا إِلاَّ الْحُسْنَى ( that their intention is nothing but good. ) by building this Masjid we sought the good and the comfort of the people.
Allah replied, وَاللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنَّهُمْ لَكَـذِبُونَ ( Allah bears witness that they are certainly liars ) for they only built it to harm Masjid Quba', and out of disbelief in Allah, and to divide the believers.
They made it an outpost for those who warred against Allah and His Messenger , such as Abu `Amir the Fasiq who used to be called Ar-Rahib, may Allah curse him! Allah said, لاَ تَقُمْ فِيهِ أَبَدًا ( Never stand you therein ), prohibiting His Prophet and his Ummah from ever standing in it in prayer. Virtues of Masjid Quba Allah encouraged His Prophet to pray in Masjid Quba' which, from the first day, was built on Taqwa, obedience to Allah and His Messenger , for gathering the word of the believers and as an outpost and a fort for Islam and its people.
This is why Allah the Exalted said, لَّمَسْجِدٌ أُسِّسَ عَلَى التَّقْوَى مِنْ أَوَّلِ يَوْمٍ أَحَقُّ أَن تَقُومَ فِيهِ ( Verily, the Masjid whose foundation was laid from the first day on Taqwa is more worthy that you stand therein (to pray ).) in reference to the Masjid of Quba'.
An authentic Hadith records that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, «صَلَاةٌ فِي مَسْجِدِ قُبَاءٍ كَعُمْرَة» ( One prayer in Masjid Quba' is just like an `Umrah. ) It is recorded in the Sahih that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to visit Masjid Quba' while riding and walking.
Imam Ahmad recorded that `Uwaym bin Sa`idah Al-Ansari said that the Prophet went to Masjid Quba' and asked, «إِنَّ اللهَ تَعَالَى قَدْ أَحْسَنَ عَلَيْكُمُ الثَّنَاءَ فِي الطُّهُورِ فِي قِصَّةِ مَسْجِدِكُمْ، فَمَا هَذَا الطُّهُورُ الَّذِي تَطَهَّرُونَ بِهِ؟» ( In the story about your Masjid, Allah the Exalted has praised you concerning the purification that you perform.
What is the purification that you perform ) They said, "By Allah, O Allah's Messenger! We do not know except that we had neighbors from the Jews who used to use water to wash with after answering the call of nature, and we washed as they washed." Ibn Khuzaymah collected this Hadith in his Sahih.
Allah's statement, لَّمَسْجِدٌ أُسِّسَ عَلَى التَّقْوَى مِنْ أَوَّلِ يَوْمٍ أَحَقُّ أَن تَقُومَ فِيهِ فِيهِ رِجَالٌ يُحِبُّونَ أَن يَتَطَهَّرُواْ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُطَّهِّرِينَ ( Verily, the Masjid whose foundation was laid from the first day on Taqwa is more worthy that you stand therein (to pray ).
In it are men who love to clean and purify themselves.
And Allah loves those who make themselves clean and pure.) This encourages praying in old Masjids that were built for the purpose of worshipping Allah alone, without partners.
It is also recommended to join the prayer with the believing group and worshippers who implement their faith, those who perform Wudu' perfectly and preserve themselves from impure things.
Imam Ahmad recorded that one of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ led them in a Dawn ( Subh ) prayer in which he recited Surat Ar-Rum ( chapter 30 ) and made mistakes in the recitation.
When he finished the prayer, he said, «إِنَّهُ يَلْبِسُ عَلَيْنَا الْقُرْآنَ أَنَّ أَقْوَامًا مِنْكُمْ يُصَلُّونَ مَعَنَا لَا يُحْسِنُونَ الْوُضُوءَ، فَمَنْ شَهِدَ الصَّلَاةَ مَعَنَا فَلْيُحْسِنِ الْوُضُوء» ( We sometimes make mistakes in reciting the Qur'an, there are people among you who attend the prayer with us, but do not perform Wudu' perfectly.
Therefore, whoever attends the prayer with us let him make perfect Wudu'. ) This Hadith indicates that complete purification helps in the performance of acts of worship and aids in preserving and completing them.

( Never stand (to pray ) there) never pray in the mosque of opposition. ( A place of worship ) i.e. the mosque of Quba’ ( which was founded upon duty (to Allah )) which was founded upon obedience and remembrance of Allah ( from the first day ) the Prophet ( pbuh ) entered Medina; it is also said this means: the first mosque ever built in Medina ( is more worthy ) is more right ( that thou shouldst stand (to pray ) therein) in the mosque of Quba’, ( wherein are men who love to purify themselves ) men who wash their behinds with water [ after defecating ]. ( Allah loveth the purifiers ) those who purify themselves from filth with water.

Never stand you therein. Verily, the mosque whose foundation was laid from the first day on piety is more worthy that you stand therein (to pray). In it are men who love to clean and to purify themselves. And Allah loves those who make themselves clean and pure (i.e. who clean their private parts with dust [i.e. to be considered as soap) and water from urine and stools, after answering the call of nature].

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