Impermissibility of performing Salaah in the Cambridge Central Mosque
Question:-
There is masjid in the UK which was established within the last few years and is very popular (mainly due to its unique architecture and size), with many Muslims across the UK travelling to visit it.
Unfortunately, there are a number of things wrong here which we have seen and heard.
If you kindly visit the link (https://cambridgecentralmosque.org/) and scroll to the opening hours section, you will see a picture of the empty prayer hall.
Zooming in, you will be able to see that:
1) the partitions between the men and women sections are see-through
2) There is a very substantial gap in the middle, meaning people can walk through and between. Furthermore, the Mimbar is so tall that the Khateeb can be seen by sisters sat in the ladies section and he can see them. We have been told that they regularly post videos of Jumuah on their YouTube channel, with the cameraman even venturing into the sisters sections and filming them!
When approaching the masjid, both genders must pass through the exact same gate, and only after walking past a large water fountain and garden, do they then separate into their respective entrances into the main hall. In the age of Fitnah that we live in, it should be stated that many of the attendees do not dress appropriately in accordance with the guidelines set out by our religion.
To make matters even worse, (please visit see the following link: https://cambridgecentralmosque.org/faq/), they have unabashedly stated that fourteen of the pillars within their prayer hall are representative of the fourteen Shia imams (despite this being a Sunni masjid).
Please can you clarify if salah is valid here?
Answer:-
It is recorded in a narration of Ali Radiallahu Anhu that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “Soon a time will dawn upon the people when nothing of Islam will remain except its name, and nothing will remain of the Quraan Sharif except its writing, their Masajid will be populated but will be void of guidance….:” [Baihaqi]
The Cambridge central Masjid is a perfect example of the description provided in the above narration of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Perhaps the Masjid is filled with congregants and visitors from numerous parts of the United Kingdom and perhaps different parts of the world, but they attain absolutely nothing except a tour of the newly built Masjid. These tourists are fascinated and impressed with the architecture and outward appearance of the Masjid, the lush and rosy garden, the stunning decor etc. whereas the actual objective of the Masjid (which is connecting the congregants to their Creator) does not even exist.
It is recorded in a narration of Musannaf Abdur Razzaq that Ali Radiallahu Anhu states, “When a nation beautifies their Masajid then their Aamaal is spoilt.” Importance will no longer be attached towards improving their spiritual condition and establishing a close connection with their Creator, rather the focus will be on the outward decoration and adornment of the Masjid.
It is recorded in another narration of Baihaqi that such a time will dawn upon the people where their talks and discussions in the Masajid will pertain to worldly matters. Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam prohibited us from sitting with them as Allah has no need for them.
It is recorded in a narration of Ibn Asaakir narrated on the authority of Abdullah Bin Umar Radiallahu Anhu that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, “A time will dawn upon the people where people will gather in the Masajid but will not perform Salaah.” Many of the tourists who visit the ‘Central Masjid’ most probably enter and leave without even performing two Rakaats of Tahiyyatul Masjid or without even reciting the Dua for entering and leaving the Masjid, hence their coming to the house of Allah was of no benefit whatsoever, in fact due to engaging in worldly conversation within the precincts of the Masjid they have incurred sin.
The Masjid also accommodates for ladies who intend participating in the daily congregational Salaah which is a means of great Fitnah. In fact, they proudly advertise the Masjid as the leading gender-inclusive mosque in the U.K. The female is left with the option of choosing the level of Purdah that she wishes to observe and will be accommodated accordingly, to the extent that, if she wishes not to observe any Purdah at all, then she is free to perform Salaah without being concealed from the men.
The screens and partitions that separate the females from the males are of such a nature that the females are easily visible due to the exposing nature of the screens. A huge percentage of the Ummah complain of their inability to control their gazes out of the Masjid, but now males and females will be involved in the sin of casting lustful glances in the house of Allah Ta’ala. Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “The lustful glance is an arrow from the poisonous arrows of Shaytaan.” Another Hadith states, “Allah Ta’ala curses the one casting lustful glances and the one that is being looked at.” Hence, they are in the Masjid but distant from the mercy of Allah Ta’ala. Casting lustful glances results in fantasising (of the Ghair Mahram woman) whilst in Salaah, or whilst engaged in Dua and Tilaawat etc. hence, one will be sinning whilst engaged in the Ibaadaat of Allah Ta’ala.
Normally, if any person erred or committed a sin then he would hasten to the house of Allah and cry in repentance, beg for forgiveness and thereby cleanse himself, but when people are sinning in the Masjid, then what hope is there for the Ummah? Currently, both males and females are entering from a common entrance. We pray and hope that this does not open avenues of other evils such as establishing illicit relationships with other females who frequent the venue and loiter around. The first Fitnah that led to the destruction of the Bani Israeel was the Fitnah of women.
Further, the 12 pillars of the Masjid resemble the 12 Shia Imaams clearly indicating that this is a Shia Masjid. The Shias that falsely accuse our mother Hadrat Aisha Radiallahu Anha of Zinah (Allah forbid!) or reject the Sahaabiyyat (companionship) of Hadrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu, or believe that Ali Radiallahu Anhu is Ilaah (Allah), or Ali Radiallahu Anhu is the final Nabi of Allah, or Jibraeel Alaihis Salaam made an error in bringing Wahi, or believe in Tahreef (in the change) of the Quraan Sharif, or all the Sahaabah are Kuffar with the exception of four etc. are out of the fold of Islam and will be treated like the Murtaddeen (apostates). Similarly, the Ithna-Ashariyya sect of the Shias are also out of the fold of Islam. How can we then be performing Salaah in such a Masjid?
In conclusion, it is not permissible to perform Salaah in the above Masjid behind modernist Imaams who are products of universities and deviated professors. We should perform our Salaah behind Ulama-e-Rabbaniyeen and Ulama-e-Haqq who will connect us to Allah Ta’ala and the Sunnah of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Masjid-un-Nabawi was the simplest Masjid of the time yet the greatest of men were created in it who will be praised in the Quraan Sharif until Qiyaamah. May Allah Ta’ala guide us and the Ummah towards righteousness. Ameen!
نَعَمْ لَا شَكَّ فِي تَكْفِيرِ مَنْ قَذَفَ السَّيِّدَةَ عَائِشَةَ – رَضِيَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى عَنْهَا – أَوْ أَنْكَرَ صُحْبَةَ الصِّدِّيقِ، أَوْ اعْتَقَدَ الْأُلُوهِيَّةَ فِي عَلِيٍّ أَوْ أَنَّ جِبْرِيلَ غَلِطَ فِي الْوَحْيِ، أَوْ نَحْوُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ الْكُفْرِ الصَّرِيحِ الْمُخَالِفِ لِلْقُرْآنِ، وَلَكِنْ لَوْ تَابَ تُقْبَلُ تَوْبَتُهُ (رد المحتار ص237 ج4)
أن عليا قال: «إن القوم إذا زينوا مساجدهم فسدت أعمالهم» (مصنف عبد الرزاق ص154 ج3)
وعن علي – رضي اللَّه عنه – قال: قال رسول اللَّه صَلَّى اللَّه عليْهِ وسَلَّم: يوشِك أن يأتي على الناس زمان لا يبقى من الإسلامِ إلا اسمه، ولا يبقى من القرآنِ إلا رسمه، مساجِدهم عامِرة وهي خراب من الهدى، علماؤهم شر من تحت أدِيمِ السماءِ، من عندهِم تخرج الفتنة، وفيهِم تعود
(رواه البيهقِي في “شعبِ الإيمانِ)
وعن الحسن مرسلًا: «يأتي على الناس زمان يكون حديثهم في مساجدهم في أمر دنياهم؛ فلا تجالسوهم؛ فليس لله فيهم حاجة» . رواه البيهقي في “شعب الإيمان”.
وعن عبد الله بن عمر بن الخطاب رضي الله عنهما؛ قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «يأتي على الناس زمان يجتمعون في مساجدهم لا يصلون» . رواه ابن عساكر في “تاريخه”.
عَنْ أَبِي نَضْرَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِنَّ هَذِهِ الدُّنْيَا خَضِرَةٌ، وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ مُسْتَعْمِلُكُمْ فِيهَا، فَنَاظِرٌ كَيْفَ تَعْمَلُونَ، أَلَا فَاتَّقُوا الدُّنْيَا، وَاتَّقُوا النِّسَاءَ، فَإِنَّ أَوَّلَ فِتْنَةِ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ كَانَتْ مِنْ قِبَلِ النِّسَاءِ، كَانَتِ الْمَرْأَةُ تَتَّخِذُ النَّعْلَيْنِ مِنْ خَشَبٍ تُحَاذِي بِهَا الْمَرْأَةَ الطَّوِيلَةَ» وَاللَّفْظُ لِلْكُدَيْمِيِّ
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date:- 26 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1444 / 23 October 2022