Mosques are sacred places for Muslims to perform prayers and engage in various activities. The term “mosque” originates from the Arabic word سجد-يسجد, meaning to prostrate, forming the word مسجيد, an “ism makan” that signifies a place for prostration.
Mosques, intended as centers of worship and communal gathering, should be the vibrant heart of Muslim life. However, a growing phenomenon is the increasing abandonment of mosques by their communities. Despite Allah’s command for Muslims to keep mosques vibrant, as stated in Surah At-Taubah, verse 18:
إِنَّمَا يَعْمُرُ مَسٰجِدَ اللّٰهِ مَنْ اٰمَنَ بِاللّٰهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْاٰخِرِ وَاَقَامَ الصَّلٰوةَ وَاٰتَى الزَّكٰوةَ وَلَمْ يَخْشَ اِلَّا اللّٰهَ ۗفَعَسٰٓى اُولٰۤىِٕكَ اَنْ يَّكُوْنُوْا مِنَ الْمُهْتَدِيْنَ
“The mosques of Allah are only to be maintained by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, establish prayer, give zakat, and fear none but Allah. It is expected that those will be of the (rightly) guided.”
The term “vibrant” in this context comes from the Arabic word يَعْمُرُ, meaning to inhabit or dwell. This word also gives rise to عُمُر, referring to someone still living in the world, and عمران, meaning civilization.
During the Prophet’s era, mosques were multifunctional, serving not only as places of worship but also as centers for education, discussion, and problem-solving. In contrast, today’s mosques often serve solely for worship, losing the multifaceted role they played during the Prophet’s time, despite Allah’s command to keep them vibrant.
Social factors play a significant role in the declining mosque attendance. Rapid urbanization and high mobility have altered social dynamics, weakening social bonds and reducing the motivation to visit mosques. Many mosques fail to adapt to modern social and spiritual needs, making them less appealing to the younger generation.
Moreover, the lack of comfort in mosque facilities, such as illegal parking fees, exorbitant charges for luggage storage, and similar issues, deters people from attending. The presence of elderly imams with frequent errors in their recitations further discourages worshippers.
Economic factors also significantly impact mosque attendance. Many mosques undergo luxurious renovations funded by donations and charity boxes, which some individuals exploit for personal gain, taking money from these boxes under the guise of it being lawful.
Political factors cannot be overlooked. Conflicts and tensions among mosque leaders create social instability, deterring Muslims from attending and maintaining mosques, especially when these places become grounds for power struggles and financial gain.
Despite these challenges, there is hope for reviving mosques as central to community life. Creative initiatives, such as spiritual development programs, social activities, and providing food for regular attendees, can help.
Mosques can enhance their appeal by offering comprehensive, technology-driven facilities. Attractive, melodious-voiced imams can also draw in congregants. Daily recitations of the Quran by children with beautiful, fluent voices can further enrich the mosque experience.
By collectively implementing and striving for these solutions, we can hope that mosques will once again become vibrant centers for Muslims, relevant and effective in meeting the spiritual, social, and religious needs of the Muslim community in the modern era.