Taudhihul Masael [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

ORDERS REGARDING A MASJID

909. It is unlawful to impure the floor, roof, ceiling and inner walls of a
masjid and as and when a person comes to know that anyone of these places has
become impure he should immediately make it pure. And the obligatory precaution
is that the outer part of the wall of a masjid, too, should not be made impure.
In case, however, it becomes impure it is not obligatory to remove the impurity
unless its remaining there causes desecration of the masjid.

910. If a person cannot purify a masjid or needs help for performing this task
and does not get it, it is not obligatory for him to purify the masjid. However,
on the basis of obligatory precaution he should bring the matter to the notice
of someone who can purify it.

911. If a place of a masjid becomes impure, and it cannot be purified without
digging or demolishing it, the place should be dug or demolished, provided that
it does not result in the demolition of its foundation. Furthermore, it u not
obligatory to fill the place which has been dug and to repair the place which
has been demolished. However, if a thing, like the brick of the masjid, becomes
impure it should be washed and placed at its original place, if possible.

912. If a masjid is usurped and houses etc. are constructed on its place, or
it becomes so much dilapidated that it is not possible to offer prayers in it,
even then it is unlawful, on the basis of precaution, to make it impure, hut
its purification is not obligatory.

913. It is unlawful to impure the precincts (Haram) of the shrines of the holy
Imams and in case anyone of these precincts becomes impure and its being impure
is the cause of its desecration it is obligatory to purify it. And there commended
precaution is that it should be purified even if no desecration is involved
in its being impure.

914. If the mat of a masjid becomes impure it should, on the basis of precaution,
be purified with water. In case, however, the mat remaining impure is the cause
of the,desecration of the masjid and it is likely to be spoiled by washing,
it is better to cut off the portion which has become impure.

915. It is unlawful to, take an original impurity or a thing which has become
impure into a masjid if it causes desecration of the masjid. Rather, the recommended
precaution is that even if desecration of the masjid is not involved, an original
impurity should not be taken into it.

916. If a tent is pitched, carpets are spread, and black curtains are hung in
a masjid, and tea is taken into it in connection with the mourning ceremony
of the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (Peace be on him) there is no harm in it, provided
that these things are not harmful for the masjid and do not impede the offering
of prayers.

917. The recommended precaution is that a masjid should not be decorated with
gold and the pictures of things, which possess soul like human beings and animals.

918. Even if a masjid is demolished it is not permissible to sell it or to make
it a part of a property or a road.

919. It is unlawful to sell the doors,windows and other things of a masjid and
even if the masjid becomes dilapidated these things should be used for the repairs
of that very masjid. In case, however, they are no longer useful for that masjid
they should he used in other masjids and if they not he used in other masjids
also they may be sold and the sale proceeds should he used for that very masjid,
if possible. In -, how- ever, it is not possible the same should be spent on
the repairs of some other masjid.

920. Building a masjid and to repair the masjid, which is near destruction,
is recommended. And if a masjid is so demolished that it is not possible to
repair it, it can be built.Rather, a masjid, which is not in a bad condition,can
be demolished, and then enlarge to meet the needs of the people.

921.To keep a masjid clean and tidy and to illuminate it, is recommended. And
if a person intends to go into a masjid it is recommended that he should apply
perfume and wear neat and good dress and should verify that the soles os his
shoes do not contain any impurity, and while entering the masjid he should put
his right foot in first, and when he makes his exit, he should put his left
foot out first. Similarly it is recommended that one should come to the masjid
earlier than others and leave it after they have departed.

922. It is recommended that when a person enters a masjid he should offer two-unit
prayers as a mark of reverence to the masjid and it also suffices if he offers
obligatory or recommended prayers.

923. It is abominable to' sleep in the masjid without a just excuse, to talk
about worldly matters, to engage oneself in some craft and to recite poetry
which is not didactic. It is also abominable to spit or to blow one's nose in
a masjid or to throw phlegm in it, or to summon a missing person or to raise
one's voice, but there is no harm, however, in raising one's voice to call the
people to prayers.

924. It is abominable to allow a child or an insane person to enter a masjid.
It is also abominable for a person to enter a masjid if he has eaten onions
or garlic, whose bad smell is a source of inconvenience to others.