Miscellaneous Benefits from Antwerp, Belgium

🇧🇪 Benefit 4: Why Dutch brothers prefer to cycle While this may not be a lesson learned inside the masjid, just step outside and you’ll see why cycling and scootering are the way forward. Here are some of the key benefits: 1⃣. No Parking Issues You can park right outside the masjid — saving yourself time and stress. 2⃣. A Healthy Habit Cycling is a great form of exercise that strengthens the body and boosts fitness. And a healthy body helps you worship Allāh better — in prayer, fasting, and service to others. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Your body has a right over you.” (Bukhari & Muslim) He ﷺ also said: “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allāh than the weak believer, though both are good.” (Muslim) 3⃣. Appreciating Allāh’s Creation Cycling outdoors gives you the chance to reflect on Allāh’s magnificent creation — the skies, the trees, and the changing seasons. “Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding.” (3:190) 4⃣. Environmentally Friendly Cycling helps reduce pollution and shows care for the Earth — fulfilling our role as successors. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Indeed, the world is green and sweet, and indeed Allāh has made you successors in it to see how you will act.” (Muslim) 5⃣. Saves Money Cycling cuts down on fuel, maintenance, and transport costs, freeing your wealth for better purposes like hijrah, charity, supporting family, or community work. It also encourages zuhd — living simply and avoiding attachment to material things. 6⃣. Avoiding Traffic Delays Cycling allows you to move freely without getting stuck in traffic jams. While cars may be waiting in long queues, you can easily ride through and reach your destination faster — especially for Jumu‘ah or daily prayers. 7⃣. Maintaining Modesty By cycling, you can avoid crowded buses and trains where you might be required to sit or stand close to non-mahram women. This helps preserve modesty and gives you peace of mind while travelling. 8⃣. Avoiding Involvement in Haram elements (such as Insurance) Owning and maintaining a car often involves engaging in matters that are not permissible in Islam, such as conventional insurance, which contains elements of riba and gharar. By choosing to cycle instead, you avoid these financial dealings and keep your wealth pure from doubtful or haram sources.