Q: The Prophet (Pbuh) says: “The whole earth has been granted to me as a place of worship and a source of purification.” Could you elaborate the meaning of this statement?
A: The mosque of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in Madinah had a far greater role than that of a place of worship. In fact, Islam does not require that worship should be done in a mosque or a particular place. Islamic prayers can be offered anywhere. The Prophet says: “The whole earth has been granted to me as a place of worship and a source of purification.” In his mosque in Madinah the Prophet taught his companions their faith, conducted the affairs of the state, consulted his companions on problems of the community, encouraged them to strengthen their mutual ties and form a very close and united community. His mosque was always open to them, and he sat there whenever he was free.
Abu Waqid Al-Laythi reports that the Prophet was once in the mosque, surrounded by many of his companions when three people came in. Two of them came towards the Prophet while the third went away. One of the two found some space in the circle and sat down. The other sat behind the circle. The third disappeared. When the Prophet finished his talk, he said: “Shall I tell you about those three people? The first sought refuge with God and God granted him refuge. The second felt embarrassed to leave and God accepted him. The third turned away, and God turned away from him.” (Related by Al-Bukhari).
The Prophet’s mosque was situated in between different parts of the city. People often went through it as a short cut if they wanted to move from one part to the other. Apparently those three people came in, intending to go out through another door. When they saw the Prophet’s circle they realized that the Prophet was speaking to those in the circle and that there was something to learn by sitting with them. They, however, reacted in three different ways. The first came forward, looked for somewhere to sit and when he found room, he joined the group. Hence the Prophet compared his action to seeking refuge with God. When we seek God’s refuge, turning to Him for help, He always provides that. The second was reluctant. He apparently had some business to attend to, but sitting down with the Prophet and learning from him was also appealing. He did not take long before making up his mind and sitting down to listen to the Prophet. This is why the Prophet said that this man felt embarrassed. His embarrassment meant that he felt he could not just leave when the Prophet was teaching his fellow Muslims. He wanted to learn. God accepted this from him and did not hold against him that he was reluctant at first.
Indeed the wording of the Hadith uses the same verb for both the man and God. Thus, a more literal translation would give the Prophet’s statement as: “The second felt too embarrassed to leave and God was embarrassed with him.” It goes without saying that God does not feel embarrassed.
What is meant is that God was too kind to hold him accountable for his initial hesitation. Hence, He accepted him and rewarded him for joining the Prophet. The third preferred to attend to his business and God left him to that. Thus, he deprived himself of the greater benefit that he would have had by joining the circle and listening to the Prophet’s teachings. Scholars say that the man really had no urgent business that could not be delayed, or probably he was a hypocrite and the Prophet was made aware of his hypocrisy. Hence, his strong words that “God turned away from him.”
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June 2009 |