Masjid as a Community Center - A Sunnah We've Forgotten السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

As-salamu alaykum. Lately the masjid often feels like just a place to pray and leave. In the Prophet’s ﷺ time the masjid was the center of life - social, spiritual, and educational. We should try to bring some of that back. How the masjid served the community in the Prophet’s ﷺ era: - Education: Children and adults learned the Qur’an, manners, and practical skills. “The best of you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.” (Sahih Bukhari) - Counseling & mediation: Marital issues, disputes, and personal matters were handled with wisdom there. - Social support: Orphans, widows, and travelers were cared for through the masjid network. - Community planning: Charity, social reform, and communal projects were organized in the masjid. - Youth involvement: Young people were treated as contributors, not just “future” members. - Women’s participation: Women prayed, learned, and asked questions openly. “Do not prevent the female servants of Allah from attending the Masjids.” (Sahih Muslim) This wasn’t some liberal innovation - it was the Sunnah. What we often see now: - Wedding committees instead of marriage education - Extravagant functions instead of youth skill-building - Online quarrels instead of face-to-face, respectful discussion - Engagement parties instead of engagement with deen A lot of money goes to decoration, venues, and clothes while the masjid community stays empty, especially for women, housewives, and mothers. Where are women’s spaces? Many are isolated: - Housewife = no platform - Young mother = no support network - Teen girls = no mentorship - Elder women = no place to share wisdom The masjid of Madinah had female scholars, questioners, volunteers, and donors. Sahabiyat asked intimate questions about marriage, purity, and intimacy in the masjid. Where do our daughters turn today for modest, knowledgeable guidance? When real Islamic education is missing, people can drift into superstition or extreme practices outside the Sunnah. Everyone needs community: - Children need activities that build Islamic identity - Teens need mentorship, values, and guidance - Young adults need career support, marriage education, and confidence - Adults need discussion on parenting, finances, and society - Elderly need dignity, purpose, and a chance to contribute Imagine a masjid that: - Offers marriage education instead of just wedding announcements - Teaches Islamic sexual ethics with modesty so youth aren’t left confused - Creates support groups for mothers, women, and housewives - Runs practical Ramadan workshops instead of promoting extravagance in the kitchen Parents could attend Taraweeh while kids are engaged in age-appropriate activities learning adab, Qur’an, and akhlaaq. Ramadan could be a time of humility and community benefit rather than show. I’m not perfect, and these are community ideas, not final answers. I want respectful feedback and discussion - that’s how communities improve. A few questions to consider: - Would this be useful in your city? - What practical steps can we take now? - How do we preserve dignity, modesty, and necessary separation while being inclusive? - How do we revive the Sunnah without rejecting beneficial aspects of our culture? If we can spend large sums on weddings, we can invest a portion in sadaqah jariyah projects that benefit generations. Let’s stop only complaining and start building. What are your thoughts?