Is It Sunnah to Walk to the Mosque? Find Out Here!

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Hi! Are you looking for an explanation about "Is it Sunnah to walk to the mosque?"? If your answer is "Yes," congratulations! You are now reading the right article. Why? Because that's exactly what I will explain here. As Muslims, we must understand this topic, which is why I wrote this article. So, make sure you read it until the end!

Specifically, there are some important things about "Is it Sunnah to walk to the mosque?" that I will explain. The key points are as follows:

The Meaning of Sunnah That You Must Understand

The first important thing I will explain is the meaning of Sunnah itself. I want you to understand the meaning of Sunnah before diving into more detailed explanations in this article, as it forms the foundation of this discussion. By understanding the term clearly, you'll grasp the answer to the main question more easily.

There are two specific meanings of Sunnah that you must understand. Let me explain them below:

Literal Meaning of Sunnah

Sunnah is an Arabic word. It is written as سُنَّةٌ or السُّنَّةُ.

If you consult an Arabic dictionary, you'll find that the word Sunnah (سُنَّةٌ or السُّنَّةُ) carries several meanings, including:

1. Tradition
2. Habits
3. Rules
4. Norms

For example, if you encounter sentences like:

1. هَذِهِ سٌنَّةُ الْعَرَبِ, it means: "This is the tradition of the Arabs."
2. هَذِهِ سُنَّةُ الْأَطْفَالِ, it means: "This is a habit of children."
3. هَذِهِ سُنَّةٌ فِي عَائِلَتِنَا, it means: "This is the rule in our family."
4. هَذِهِ سُنَّةٌ فِي قَرْيَتِنَا, it means: "This is the norm in our village."

Meaning of Sunnah in Sharia

To understand the meaning of Sunnah in Sharia, pay attention to the following explanation:

السُّنَّةُ هِيَ : كُلُّ مَا نُقِلَ عَنْ رَسُوْلِ اللهِ - صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ - مِنْ أَقْوَالٍ وَأَفْعَالٍ وَتَقْرِيْرٍ ، وَصِفَاتٍ خَلْقِيَّةٍ وَخُلُقِيَّةٍ، سَوَاءً أَكَانَ ذَلِكَ قَبْلَ الْبِعْثَةِ أَمْ بَعْدَهَا

This means: Everything that is narrated from the Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad), sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, including his sayings, actions, approvals, physical and moral attributes, whether before or after he was sent as a Prophet and Messenger.

Based on this, we can conclude that the Sunnah encompasses everything related to Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam: his words, actions, decisions, and characteristics, whether before or after he became a Prophet.

However, in this particular discussion, what is meant by Sunnah refers to recommendations in Islam — whether Islam encourages or suggests Muslims to do certain things, whether certain actions are recommended or not.

Read Also: Differences Between Sunnah and Hadith

That is a brief explanation of the meaning of Sunnah. As Muslims, it is essential to understand this concept.

The Quran on Mosques

The important point about "Is it Sunnah to walk to the mosque?" that I will explain now involves what the Quran says about mosques, along with a brief explanation. It’s important to understand this because the Quran is the primary reference in Islam regarding mosques.

Take a look at the following verses from the Quran about mosques to understand their status in Islam!

The Quran Explains That Mosques Belong to Allah and Prohibits Associating Others with Him

If you reflect on the Quranic verse below, you can conclude that all mosques on earth belong to Allah, and He strictly forbids worshiping anyone or anything besides Him.

وَأَنَّ الْمَسَاجِدَ لِلَّهِ فَلَا تَدْعُوا مَعَ اللَّهِ أَحَدًا

"Verily, the masjids belong to Allah, so do not worship anyone but Allah." (Al-Jin [72]: 18)

The Quran Recommends Dhikr in the Mosque

If you reflect on the Quranic verse below, you can conclude that making dhikr in the mosque is highly recommended in Islam.

وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنْ مَنَعَ مَسَاجِدَ اللَّهِ أَنْ يُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ

"And who is more unjust than one who prevents the mention of Allah's name in His masjids?" (Al-Baqarah [2]: 114)

However, one thing you must understand is that dhikr in the mosque should not disturb others. For example, if you recite the Quran in a mosque using a loudspeaker and it disrupts others’ peace, it’s better to recite it quietly without amplification. The comfort and harmony of the community must always be prioritized.

The Quran Encourages Prosperity of the Mosque

If you reflect on the Quranic verse below, you can conclude that making mosques prosperous is something highly encouraged.

إِنَّمَا يَعْمُرُ مَسَاجِدَ اللَّهِ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ

"Only those who prosper the masjids of Allah are those who believe in Allah and the Last Day." (At-Taubah [9]: 18)

Making a mosque prosperous means using it for good deeds such as reciting the Quran, engaging in dhikr, hosting social activities, and more. Therefore, mosques are not solely for prayer!

This is a brief explanation of several Quranic verses regarding mosques. As a Muslim, it is essential to understand these principles.

Hadith About the Mosque

One important point about whether it is Sunnah to walk to the mosque, which I will explain now, is based on a hadith about the mosque along with a brief explanation. I want you to understand this because hadith is the second primary reference in Islam after the Quran regarding matters related to the mosque.

Pay attention to some of the hadiths below so you can understand what is permissible and what is not in a mosque, who is allowed to enter the mosque, what activities are recommended inside, and more.

Hadith Explaining That Non-Muslims Are Permitted to Enter the Mosque

The following hadith explains that non-Muslims can enter the mosque.

عَنْ أَبِيْ هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ ؛ بَعَثَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ خَيْلًا فَجَاءَتْ بِرَجُلٍ ، فَرَبَّطُوْهُ بِسَارِيَةٍ مِنْ سَوَارِيِ الْمَسْجِدِ -- الْحَدِيْثُ -- مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ

From Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), he said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) sent cavalry, and they brought back a man whom they tied to one of the pillars of the mosque." This hadith is agreed upon by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

Although the hadith does not explicitly mention that non-Muslims are allowed to enter the mosque, it tells the story of a prisoner who was tied to one of the pillars of the mosque. From this, we can conclude that the prisoner, likely a non-Muslim, was in the mosque.

Hadith About Reciting Poetry in the Mosque

The following hadith shows that it is permissible to recite poetry in the mosque. Therefore, reciting poetry or even singing in the mosque is permitted in Islam.

عَنْ أَبِيْ هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ مَرَّ بِحَسَّانٍ يُنْشِدُ فِيْ الْمَسْجِدِ فَلَحَظَ إِلَيْهِ ، فَقَالَ ؛ قَدْ كُنْتُ أُنْشِدُ فِيْهِ ، وَفِيْهِ مَنْ هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِنْكَ . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ

From Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), that Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) passed by Hassan who was reciting poetry in the mosque. Umar gave him a disapproving look, to which Hassan replied, "I used to recite poetry in this mosque, and someone better than you was present." This hadith is agreed upon by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

Hadith About Social Activities in the Mosque

If you understand the hadith below, you can conclude that conducting social activities in the mosque is permissible.

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ ؛ أُصِيْبُ سَعْدٌ يَوْمَ الْخَنْدَقِ فَضَرَبَ عَلَيْهِ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ خِيْمْةً فِيْ الْمَسْجِدِ لِيَعُوْدَهُ مِنْ قَرِيْبٍ . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ

From Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), she said: "Sa'ad was wounded on the day of the Battle of Khandaq, so the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) set up a tent for him in the mosque so that he could visit him closely." This hadith is agreed upon by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

While the hadith doesn't directly discuss the permissibility of social activities in the mosque, it mentions that a tent was set up for Sa'ad in the mosque so that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) could visit him more easily. This indicates that certain social or caregiving activities are permissible.

Hadith Prohibiting Buying and Selling in the Mosque

The two hadiths below indicate that buying and selling in the mosque are prohibited.

عَنْ أَبِيْ هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ رَسُوْلَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ ؛ إِذَا رَأَيْتُمْ مَنْ يَبِيْعُ أَوْ يَبْتَاعُ فِيْ الْمَسْجِدِ فَقُوْلُوْا لَهُ ؛ لَا أَرْبَحَ اللهُ تِجَارَتَكَ . رَوَاهُ النَّسَائِيُّ وَالتِّرْمِذِيُّ

From Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If you see someone buying or selling in the mosque, say to them, 'May Allah not grant you profit in your trade.'" This hadith is narrated by an-Nasa'i and at-Tirmidhi.

عَنْ أَبِيْ هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ ؛ قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ؛ مَنْ سَمِعَ رَجُلًا يُنْشِدُ ضَالَةً فِيْ الْمَسْجِدِ فَلْيَقُلْ ؛ لَا رَدَّهَا اللهُ عَلَيْكَ ، فَإِنَّ الْمَسَاجِدَ لَمْ تُبْنَ لِهَذَا . رَوَاهُ مُسْلِمٌ

From Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), he said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, 'If you hear a person looking for their lost items in the mosque, tell them, "May Allah not return it to you," for mosques were not built for this purpose.'" This hadith is narrated by Muslim.

Hadith Prohibiting Menstruating Women and Those in a State of Major Impurity (Junub) from Entering the Mosque

If you understand the hadith below, you will conclude that menstruating women, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, and those in a state of major impurity (junub), are prohibited from entering the mosque.

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ : قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : إِنِّيْ لَا أُحِلُّ الْمَسْجِدَ لِحَائِضٍ وَلَا جُنُبٍ . رَوَاهُ أَبُوْ دَاوُدَ

From Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), she said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, 'I do not permit the mosque for a menstruating woman or a person in a state of major impurity (junub).'" This hadith is narrated by Abu Dawud.

Hadith About the Sunnah of Performing the Tahiyatul Masjid Prayer

If you understand the hadith below, you will see that Muslims are encouraged to perform the Tahiyatul Masjid prayer upon entering the mosque.

عَنْ أَبِيْ قَتَادَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ ؛ قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ؛ إِذَا دَخَلَ أَحَدُكُمْ الْمَسْجِدَ فَلَا يَجْلِسْ حَتَّى يُصَلِّيَ رَكْعَتَيْنِ . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ

From Abu Qatadah radliyallahu anhu, he said, "The Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, 'If any one of you enters the mosque, let him not sit down until he prays two rak'ahs.'" This hadith is agreed upon by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

The Tahiyatul Masjid prayer refers to a two-rak'ah prayer offered as a way to honor the mosque (with the main goal of worshipping Allah). It is performed when a Muslim enters the mosque, before sitting down.

Hadith About the Recommendation to Read and Study the Quran in the Mosque

The hadith below provides evidence of the recommendation to read and study the Quran in the mosque.

وَمَا اجْتَمَعَ قَوْمٌ فِي بَيْتٍ مِنْ بُيُوتِ اللهِ يَتلُونَ كِتَابَ اللهِ ، وَيَتَدَارَسُونَهُ بينهم ، إِلاَّ نَزَلَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّكِينَةُ وَغَشِيتْهُمُ الرَّحْمَةُ ، وَحَفَّتْهُمُ المَلاَئِكَةُ ، وَذَكَرَهُمُ اللهُ فِيمَنْ عِنْدَهُ

"No people gather in one of the houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and studying it together, except that tranquility descends upon them, mercy envelops them, angels surround them, and Allah mentions them to those who are with Him."

There are many ways to study the Quran, such as learning its meaning (tafsir), mastering its recitation, studying its sentence structure, and more. All of these are highly recommended, especially when done in a mosque (though it can also be done in other places).

Hadith About the Prohibition of Competing to Build Magnificent Mosques

Competing to build extravagant mosques is strictly prohibited in Islam. This prohibition is explained in the two hadiths below:

عَنْ أَنَسٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ ؛ قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ؛ لَا تَقُوْمُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى يَتَبَاهَى النَّاسُ فِيْ الْمَسَاجِدِ . أَخْرَجَهُ السَّبْعَةُ إِلَّا التِّرْمِذِيُّ

From Anas radliyallahu anhu, he said, "The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, 'The Day of Judgment will not occur until people compete in building mosques.'" This hadith is narrated by seven narrators except for at-Tirmidhi (Ahmad, al-Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Daud, an-Nasa'i, and Ibn Majah).

عَنْ اِبْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ ؛ قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ؛ مَا أُمِرْتُ بِتَشْيِيْدِ الْمَسَاجِدِ . أَخْرَجَهُ أَبُوْ دَاوُدَ

From Ibn Abbas radliyallahu anhuma, he said, "The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, 'I was not commanded to boast about building mosques.'" This hadith is narrated by Abu Daud.

You might be wondering, "Why is competing to build magnificent mosques prohibited in Islam?" The reason is that competition often brings the desire to outdo others, which leads to arrogance. In Islam, the true value of a mosque lies in its benefits, not in its grandeur.

Hadith About the Recommendation to Clean the Mosque

A mosque is a place of worship, often with courtyards and trees. Many Muslims enter and leave the mosque for prayer and other activities. Due to this frequent use, mosques can easily become dirty with litter, fallen leaves, and dust. Therefore, Muslims are strongly encouraged to keep mosques clean.

The hadith below explains the recommendation to clean mosques and the reward for doing so:

عَنْ أَنَسٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ ؛ قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ؛ عُرِضَتْ عَلَيَّ أُجُوْرُ أُمَّتِيْ حَتَّى الْقَذَاةُ يُخْرِجُهَا الرَّجُلُ مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ . رَوَاهُ أَبُوْ دَاوُدَ وَالتِّرْمِذِيُّ

From Anas radliyallahu anhu, he said, "The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, 'The rewards of my Ummah were shown to me, even for the speck of dirt that someone removes from the mosque.'" This hadith is narrated by Abu Daud and at-Tirmidhi.

These are some hadiths about important matters that you should understand.

Is It Sunnah to Walk to the Mosque?

The important topic of "Is it Sunnah to walk to the mosque?" requires a specific explanation, which I will now provide. So, please read the following explanation carefully.

In the previous paragraphs, I have discussed various aspects of the mosque in light of the Quran and hadith. There are many activities that Muslims engage in at the mosque, such as worship, reciting the Quran, social activities, and more. The question is, "Are Muslims encouraged to walk to the mosque to do these things?" Or, more specifically in the context of this discussion, "Is it Sunnah to walk to the mosque?"

To be honest, I haven't found a direct explanation stating that Muslims are specifically encouraged to walk to the mosque or that walking to the mosque is Sunnah. Islamic teachings are very practical and flexible. Islam does not require Muslims to walk to the mosque if their homes are far away. However, I have found a hadith that encourages Muslims to walk calmly to perform congregational prayers, even if they hear the iqamah (call to commence the prayer).

Take a look at the hadith below:

عَنْ أَبِيْ هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ ؛ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ؛ إِذَا سَمِعْتُمْ الْإِقَامَةَ فَامْشُوْا إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ وَعَلَيْكُمْ السَّكِيْنَةُ وَالْوِقَارُ ، وَلَا تُسْرِعُوْا فَمَا أَدْرَكْتُمْ فَصَلُّوْا وَمَا فَاتَكُمْ فَأَتِمُّوْا . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ

From Abu Hurairah radliyallahu anhu, he said, "The Prophet (Muhammad) sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, 'If you hear the iqamah, then walk to the prayer. You should be calm and maintain your dignity, and do not rush. Pray with the imam in the rak'ah you catch and complete what you miss.'" The hadith is agreed upon by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

Now, if you ask me, "Is it Sunnah to walk to the mosque?" the answer is "Yes, for Muslims whose homes are close to the mosque." I say this because of Islam’s flexibility. It would be very difficult for Muslims who live far from the mosque to walk long distances, as they would become tired.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding whether walking to the mosque is Sunnah involves exploring various Islamic teachings, including the concept of Sunnah, Quranic verses, and hadiths related to mosques. The Sunnah refers to the traditions and practices encouraged by Islam, primarily derived from the Prophet Muhammad's words, actions, and approvals. Walking to the mosque holds significance in the broader discussion of maintaining the sanctity and prosperity of mosques. The Quran emphasizes that mosques belong to Allah, and they should be places of worship, remembrance, and community engagement. Additionally, hadiths provide further clarity on permissible activities in mosques, including poetry recitations and social caregiving, while prohibiting commercial transactions. Through this comprehensive exploration, it becomes clear that contributing to the mosque’s vibrancy, whether through physical presence or good deeds, is highly valued in Islam, and walking to the mosque can be considered a meritorious act aligned with the spirit of Sunnah.

I think that’s enough for this article. I hope it is beneficial. Ameen!

See you again in the next article!