Imarat al-Masajid al-Manawiya wa Fadluha

Imarat al-Masajid al-Manawiya wa Fadluha (The Spiritual Upkeep of Mosques and Its Virtue) is a scholarly treatise by Abd al-Aziz al-Humaydi that examines the non-physical cultivation of mosques through worship, religious education, moral reform, and social solidarity Imarat al-Masajid al-Mana….

Background and Purpose

The treatise was originally prepared as a research paper and lecture commissioned by the Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Da'wah, and Guidance for the "Mosque Architecture Symposium" organized by the College of Architecture and Planning at King Saud University in Riyadh, held in collaboration with the ministry Imarat al-Masajid al-Mana…. The author's stated purpose was to highlight the role of mosques in instilling noble character, rectifying behavioral deviations, and strengthening fraternal bonds across Muslim society Imarat al-Masajid al-Mana….

Contents and Structure

The book begins by identifying mosques as central landmarks of Islam that link the historical legacy of the Muslim community to its present reality Imarat al-Masajid al-Mana…. It categorizes spiritual upkeep (al-imara al-manawiya) as the performance of righteous deeds within the mosque, contrasting it with mere physical construction Imarat al-Masajid al-Mana…. The core subjects addressed include:

• Acts of Worship in the Mosque: The author details the obligation and virtues of congregational prayer (salat al-jama'a), citing hadiths and reports from the Companions and early scholars, as well as the virtue of remaining in the mosque between prayers (al-ribat) Imarat al-Masajid al-Mana…+1.
• Inner Devotion and Moral Reform: The text discusses the spiritual essence of prayer, focusing extensively on khushu' (heartfelt humility and focus), its definition, and its role in expiating sins, refining human behavior, and granting fortitude in adversity Imarat al-Masajid al-Mana…+1. It lists practical means for attaining khushu', such as sincere intention, contemplating Quranic verses and supplications, remembering death, maintaining tranquility (itmi'nan), and eliminating external distractions Imarat al-Masajid al-Mana…+1.
• Quranic Recitation and Remembrance: It highlights the virtues and etiquette of collective and individual recitation of the Quran, study circles, and regular remembrance of God (dhikr) within mosques Imarat al-Masajid al-Mana…+1.
• Teaching and Learning: The author traces the history of the Prophet's Mosque as a center for religious instruction and contrasts the moral and spiritual efficacy of mosque-based study circles with purely academic schooling, urging authorities to revive the educational mission of mosques Imarat al-Masajid al-Mana…+1.
• Social Solidarity and Brotherhood: The treatise emphasizes how neighborhood mosques and the weekly Friday congregation foster social cohesion, mutual assistance, and acquaintance among Muslims Imarat al-Masajid al-Mana…+1.
• The True Maintainers of Mosques: Concluding with an exegesis of verses in Surat al-Tawbah (9:17–19), the author outlines the five essential qualities of those who genuinely maintain God's houses: faith in God, faith in the Last Day, establishing prayer, giving zakah, and fearing none but God Imarat al-Masajid al-Mana…+1.