In the verse I have just recited the Almighty Allah (swt) states, "The mosques of Allah are only to be maintained by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day and establish prayer and give zakah and do not fear except Allah, for it is expected that those will be of the [rightly] guided."[1]
In the hadith I have just read, the Prophet Muhammad (saw) says, "Whoever builds a mosque for the sake of Allah, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise."[2]
Dear Believers!
Mosques, where we come together to submit our servitude to our Lord (swt) in this hour of Friday when prayers are accepted, are the houses of Allah and work of Muslims. Mosques provide cure for our souls depressed by loneliness and peace for our hearts tired in the busyness of life. Mosques are the heart of our residential areas, the spirit of our cities, and the safe haven for our noble nation and the Muslim ummah.
Dear Muslims!
We as a nation have made the finest examples of sharing, solidarity, mercy and brotherhood during the fight against the pandemic. We have experienced the excitement and joy of helping in Allah's cause. Today we will also start an aid campaign under the coordination of the Presidency of Religious Affairs for mosques whose construction works are ongoing at home and abroad. With your prayers and supports, we will complete their construction and open them to worship. At these mosques whose construction is completed, the sound of adhan will be heard, Muslims will stand shoulder to shoulder in prayer, and foreheads will meet the ground in prostration, inshaallah. I invite you, our valuable congregation, to join the race for charity, small or big alike, after the Friday prayer.
May Allah the Almighty accept and welcome our aid, infaq and sadaqah. May He (swt) enable our charities to contribute to our protection from any kind of trouble and particularly the pandemic disease as soon as possible. May His (swt) mercy be upon the deceased brothers and sisters of ours, from past to present, who have had a leading role in the construction and improvement of our mosques, as well as those who have provided support, aid, and service to them with the love of worship. May He (swt) grant those still alive a healthy and peaceful life.
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[1] Tawbah, 9/18.
[2] Muslim, Zuhd, 44.
General Directorate of Religious Services