Can a person be Muslim without going to the mosque?

GCSE Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)

Robi Al-Amin Chowdhury

A Muslim is a person who believes in the Shahada. Shahada is the creed of Islam. The definition of Shahada is that there is none worthy of worship but Allah (God) and the prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) is the messenger of Allah.

Salat is the second pillar of Islam. It is compulsory upon every Muslim male and female. Salat is an act of physical worship which can be done in the home, workplace and the Mosque. Salat can also be done in a car, train, plane, ship or in fact nearly anywhere. Salat is compulsory and Allah has made it easier for Muslims to do Salat by giving permission to read it while travelling and on any means of transport. Salat is preferable if done in a Mosque but will be acceptable if it is done at home. The person will still remain a Muslim. Salat done in the Mosque has 25 to 27 times more reward than Salat done at home.

However the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) has quoted ‘Say part of your prayers at home so your houses do not become graves.’ What this tells us is that praying at home is an important part of our lives and that it symbolises bringing Islam into ones own house and it should be practised everywhere and not just in a Mosque. Among the fard (Compulsory) acts of Salat e.g. Wudhu, clean surface (to read Salat), clean clothing, facing towards Makkah etc., attending in Mosque is not of them. So a person can still be a Muslim without praying Salat in a Mosque.

Performing ...

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Performing Salat in a Mosque is more rewarding. A mosque is the heart of the Muslim community where they congregate five times a day. There is a big gathering of Muslims on Friday which multiples on the two Eid Days. Muslims can go to a mosque and ask for Islamic guidance from the Imam (Muslim priest).

A mosque can be used as a kind of community centre where Muslims worship Allah and discuss their problems with each other. In the time of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), mosques used to work as a court and it was used for the collection of Revenue (Zakat). Basically the whole Muslim government in Madina used to run from the Masjid Al-Nabwi (The Prophets Mosque).

It is not necessary to go to the Mosque but it is highly recommended. At the time of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), able people who did not go to the Mosque were disgraced.

A Muslim should read some of his/her prayer at home because it will benefit the entire family. If there are any children in the house, then they can learn how to pray Salat by observing the elders who are performing Salat and also if there are any adults in the House then they will be reminded of the duty given to them by Allah via the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W).

A person can still be a Muslim provided that he/she does Salat (within the conditions of Salat). Salat should not be missed as it is the command of Allah. It does not matter whether it is done in the home or in the Mosque but it must be done. It is reported in the Hadith that if a person misses one Salat then he/she will suffer the consequences in Jahannam (Hell) for 80 Huqbah. One Huqbah is equivalent to 80 years so one Salat missed is 6400 years in Hell.

A person still can be a Muslim, whether he/she goes to the Mosque or not, as long as he/she has iman which is faith and trust in Allah.