BENEFIT 459: Importance of Keeping Masjids Open Beyond Prayer Times

Sheikh Mansoor Al-Majeedi hafidahullah states: In many countries, masjids have come to resemble government offices—opening five minutes before prayer and closing five minutes after, as a matter of official policy. If someone arrives ten minutes after the congregation has finished, they find all the masjids closed, with nowhere to perform their prayer. This practice undermines the mission of the masjid and dismantles its true purpose. Masjids should be open, welcoming worshippers, young and old, to come, learn, recite the Qur'ān, glorify Allāh, and remember Him—whenever the opportunity arises—not just during the five daily prayers. Masjids should be alive with remembrance, devotion, and turning back to Allāh, exalted be He. This is what truly disturbs the disbelievers. Such was the nature of masjids during the time of the Prophet ﷺ, his companions, and those who followed them. The masjids were open—some didn’t even have doors. They were simply built with an entryway through which people could come and go freely. Doors were introduced later to prevent dogs and animals from entering and soiling the prayer space, especially after carpets and furnishings were added, and electronic equipment installed, which needed protection. However, restricting masjid access only to prayer times is one of the reasons for the widespread ignorance of Muslims regarding their religion, and one of the causes behind the alienation many people feel from the masjid. People have stopped being familiar with the masjids or desiring to be in them because they are no longer accustomed to visiting them freely. Opening the masjids and their doors to anyone who seeks remembrance, worship, or prayer is the beginning of victory. We ask Allāh, the Exalted, to grant the Muslims wisdom and sound judgment.