Ma’qil رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ states: “We would be told that اَلْمَسْجِدُ حِصْنٌ حَصِینٌ مِّنَ الشَّیْطٰن   the masjid is a strong fort which provides protection from the Devil.”^[1]

The wonderful atmosphere of the masjid

It is unfortunate that only a few people worship in the masjid in order to remain safe from the evil of the Devil. Rather, our condition has deteriorated to the extent that the masjids are empty when the time of prayer is upon us. The markets, streets, cinemas and amusement parks remain busy, however. The muezzin [the caller to prayer] repeats حَیَّ عَلَی الْفَلَاحِ [come to success] five times a day and invites us to the masjid, but we are deprived of attending. Therefore, feel remorse when you witness such scenes. With the intention of acting upon pious deed number two of the booklet “72 Pious Deeds”, encourage your family, neighbours and relatives to pray in the masjid. Join the movement to repopulate the masjids and encourage people who are not praying to start praying. Ensure to protect the masjid too; you cannot take possession of buildings that are occupied by residents, otherwise people can claim an empty house for themselves. Here is the description of pious deed number two: Today, have you offered the five daily salah with jama’at (congregation)? (May we never miss offering salah in the first row with the primary takbir.) Through the blessings of acting upon this pious deed, you will always offer the prayers with the congregation in the first row. اِنْ شَــآءَالـلّٰـه

Dear Islamic brothers, remember the blessed age in which the masjids would remain populated day and night with worshippers. Sayyiduna Abu Haamid Muhammad bin Muhammad bin Muhammad Ghazaali رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه states: