By Dr. Hatem AlHaj
The masjid plays the greatest role in community building, and its success is essential for the wellbeing of the community, particularly where Muslims live as minorities.
Sadly, the role of the masjid in many Muslim communities around the globe has recently been reduced to being a mere physical place where prayers are offered.
It is time to reverse that trend and revive the role of this institution to what it was in the early history of Islam.
Allah made the masājid a refuge for the hearts of His righteous servants, as the Prophet ﷺ said, “There are seven [types of people] whom Allah will protect with His Shade, on the Day [of Resurrection] when there will be no shade except His Shade.” Of them is, “A person whose heart is attached to the masjid” and another is “a young man who grows up worshipping his …