Difference between a Masjid and Musallah
QUESTION:
I have recently moved into an area that has a Musallah, but not a Masjid. The Musallah is 1.1km from my house and the nearest Masjid is 3.8km.
1. Are the etiquettes and Sunan of a Masjid applicable to a Musallah i.e. should one recite the Duas for entering and leaving a Masjid, make Niyyah for
I’tikaaf, enter with the right foot etc.
2. Will one accrue the same reward for performing Salaah in a Musallah as one would in a Masjid?
3. If not, is it advisable to perform Salaah in the Musallah or make the extra effort to attend the Masjid?
4. Please provide any other additional information regarding the differences between a Masjid and Musallah.
ANSWER:
1. All the etiquettes and Sunnats of entering and leaving the Masjid are not applicable to a Musallah. The Hadith states, “When any one of you enter the Masjid then he should send Salaam upon Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam and recite (the Dua) ….” The narration clearly states that the Dua should be recited on entering the Masjid. Similarly, making Niyyat of I’tikaaf is exclusive to the Masjid and not the Musallah. Since Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam would love carrying out all good actions with the right, one should enter the Musallah with the right leg and leave with the left leg.
روينا عن أبي حميد أو أبي أسيد رضي الله عنهما قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : ” إذا دخل أحدكم المسجد فليسلم على النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ، ثم ليقل : اللهم افتح لي أبواب رحمتك ، وإذا خرج فليقل : اللهم إني أسألك من فضلك ” رواه مسلم في ” صحيحه ” وأبو داود والنسائي وابن ماجه وغيرهم بأسانيد صحيحة (الاذكار للنووي ص31 ج1)
عن عائشة، قالت: كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يحب التيمن ما استطاع في شأنه كله: في طهوره وترجله وتنعله. متفق عليه.
2. The reward for performing Salaah in the Masjid is greater than performing Salaah in a Musallah.
3. It is best to perform Salaah in the Masjid even though the Masjid is at a distance. In such an instance, one will be rewarded for travelling to the Masjid, hence, the further the Masjid, the greater the reward. It is recorded in a narration that Banu Salima intended to live close to Masjid-un-Nabawi. This news reached Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam so he went to them and said, “O Banu Salimah, remain in your homes, for verily your footsteps (taken to the Masjid) are recorded -meaning there is more reward in living at a distance and walking to the Masjid.” In conclusion, it will be best to perform Salaah in the Masjid even though one may be required to travel a few kilometres. Notwithstanding the above, if one performs Salaah in the Musallah then Salaah will be valid.
أَخْبَرَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ سُفْيَانَ، حَدَّثَنَا حِبَّانُ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ، أَخْبَرَنَا الْجُرَيْرِيُّ، عَنْ أَبِي نَضْرَةَ، عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ: أَرَدْنَا النُّقْلَةَ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ، وَالْبِقَاعُ حَوْلَ الْمَسْجِدِ خَالِيَةٌ، فَبَلَغَ ذَلِكَ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَأَتَانَا فِي دَارِنَا فَقَالَ: «يَا بَنِي سَلِمَةَ، بَلَغَنِي أَنَّكُمْ تُرِيدُونَ النُّقْلَةَ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ»، فَقَالُوا: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، بَعُدَ عَلَيْنَا الْمَسْجِدُ وَالْبِقَاعُ حَوْلَهُ خَالِيَةٌ فَقَالَ: «يَا بَنِي سَلِمَةَ، دِيَارَكُمْ دِيَارَكُمْ تُكْتَبْ آثَارُكُمْ» قَالَ: فَمَا وَدِدْنَا أَنَّا بِحَضْرَةِ الْمَسْجِدِ لَمَّا قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَا قَالَ (صحيح ابن حبان)
4. If a Musallah is erected with personal funds and not made Waqf (donated) for the Muslims, then on the demise of the owner, the Musallah will form part of his estate. Tahiyyatul Masjid may be performed in a Masjid and not in a Musallah. A female may enter a Musallah whilst experiencing her monthly menses, but she is not permitted to enter the Masjid. These are some of the basic differences between a Masjid and Musallah.
واما المتخذ لصلاة جنازة او عيد فهو مسجد في جواز الاقتداء وانفصل الصفوف، رفقا بالناس، لا في حق غيره، وبه ويفتي، فحل دخوله لجنب وحائض كفناء مسجد (تنوير الابصار مع الدر المختار ج١ص٦٥٧)
رجل له ساحة لا بناء فيها، امر قوما ان يصلوا فيها بجماعة……اما ان وقت الامر باليوم او الشهر او السنة، ففي هذا الوجه لا تصير الساحة مسجدا، لو مات يورث عنه (الفتاوي العالمكيرة ج٢ص٤٥٥)
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Maulana Ahmed Saeed
Date:- 05 Safr 1445 / 22 August 2023
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai Saheb