Respect for New Worshippers

 

By: *Mufti Muhammad Abdul Hameed Shakir Qasmi*

 
                      Topran District Medak Telangana 
               Ramadan is the blessed month in which Allah Almighty softens the hearts of His servants, gives them the ability to turn to Him, and brings many heedless people back to prayer and worship. On such an occasion, a person's coming to the mosque, standing in the rows, and bowing in prostration is not merely an outward act, but a sign of a spiritual awakening within their heart. The requirement of the Sharia is that we respect this awakening, not mock it.
Allah Almighty says:


يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا يَسْخَرْ قَوْمٌ مِّن قَوْمٍ عَسَىٰ أَن يَكُونُوا خَيْرًا مِّنْهُمْ وَلَا تَلْمِزُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ وَلَا تَنَابَزُوا بِالْأَلْقَابِ (Al-Hujurat:11).
In this verse, along with the prohibition of mockery, fault-finding, and calling by bad names, the fact has also been stated that it is possible that the one whom you consider insignificant may be better than you in the sight of Allah. This is the place where arrogance, suspicion, and hurting hearts all gather. When someone starts praying in Ramadan and we call them "Ramadan's worshipper," we seemingly say a sentence, but in reality, we wound their heart, doubt their intention, and reveal the hidden arrogance within ourselves.

 *The Status of the Mosque* 
The mosque is not merely the name of a building made of bricks and stones, but it is a center that connects hearts, a place that gives peace to souls, and a sacred institution that unites the Ummah in one thread. When a Muslim enters the mosque through the door, they leave behind worldly differences and distinctions. There is neither rich nor poor, neither big nor small, but all stand in the same row and bow before the same Lord. This scene reveals the true spirit of Islam. Standing shoulder to shoulder is a practical lesson that brotherhood, equality, and love are our foundation. If there is hatred in hearts, sarcasm in tongues, and contempt in gazes inside the mosque, then it is as if we are injuring the soul of the mosque. The mosque is a place where the cracks in hearts should be filled, not where new cracks should be created.
The atmosphere of the mosque should be filled with compassion, gentleness, and goodwill. When a new person, a young person, or a worshipper who has come after a long time enters the mosque, there is hesitation in their heart and hope as well. If they find love in the greeting, a smile on the face, and friendliness in the manner, their heart becomes strong. But if they receive a sarcastic remark or indifference, they may become disheartened. The mosque should be a place where everyone who comes feels that they have come to their home, their honor is protected here, and their effort is appreciated. A loving environment automatically brings people closer to religion, because strictness creates temporary silence while love brings permanent change.
The mosque is also a training ground and a spiritual healing center. Here, the recitation of the Quran purifies hearts, remembrance gives peace to the soul, and prostrations break arrogance. When a person bows repeatedly in the same place where their brothers are also bowing, a sense of brotherhood arises within them. If we ask about each other's conditions, listen to problems, and pray in the mosque, this act brings hearts closer. Love is expressed not only with words but also with actions. Supporting a weak person, giving space to a new worshipper, comforting a troubled person—these are the actions that make the mosque a true center of love.
History is witness that the mosque has always been the center of social harmony. It was here that education was given, it was here that decisions were made, it was here that sorrows were shared, and it was here that joys were celebrated. Everyone sitting in the mosque prays for each other. If there is anger in someone's heart for someone else, standing in a row and offering prayer reduces that anger. This is a practical demonstration of love. We must maintain this atmosphere. If we keep the mosque free from factionalism, superiority, and ego, it will become a source of mercy. But if we make it a field of worldly competition and criticism, we will be deprived of its original blessing.
 *Good Opinion of Worshippers* 
Generally, we become suspicious that this person prays in Ramadan, maybe he prays wherever he finds time according to his engagements, and he is coming to the mosque regularly in Ramadan, we are not allowed to do this.
The Quran has strictly forbidden suspicion: اجْتَنِبُوا كَثِيرًا مِّنَ الظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعْضَ الظَّنِّ إِثْمٌ (Al-Hujurat:12). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: إياكم والظن فإن الظن أكذب الحديث (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 6064; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2563). That is, suspicion is the most false statement. When we attack the intention of a worshipper, it is not just a sin of the tongue but a corruption of the heart. This very defect of the heart gives rise to mockery, and this defect destroys spirituality.
The reprehensibility of hurting hearts is even more severe. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: المسلم أخو المسلم لا يظلمه ولا يحقره (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2564). That is, a Muslim does not consider his brother insignificant. And in another narration, he said: إن العبد ليتكلم بالكلمة من سخط الله لا يلقي لها بالاً يهوي بها في جهنم (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 6478). A person utters a word that displeases Allah without paying attention to it, and it throws him into Hell. From this, it is known that a sarcastic remark is not just a joke but a matter of the Hereafter.
At this very point, the aspect of reward and punishment also becomes clear. If someone starts praying in Ramadan and we encourage them, pray for their steadfastness, and support them, then according to the Prophet's (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) command, we can also get a reward: من دل على خير فله مثل أجر فاعله (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1893). That is, whoever guides someone to good also gets a reward equal to the doer. But if we mock them and they become disheartened and retreat, then we may have to bear the burden of breaking their heart and preventing them from doing good.
All these things are actually different forms of the same origin. The origin is that arrogance blinds a person. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: الكبر بطر الحق وغمط الناس (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 91) That is, arrogance is rejecting the truth and considering people insignificant. When a person considers himself an old worshipper and considers the new worshipper inferior, then he is afflicted with the same disease that destroyed Iblis. The cure for this is humility, and the belief that steadfastness is in the hands of Allah. That is why the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to pray: يا مقلب القلوب ثبت قلبي على دينك (Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith 2140).
The greatness of prayer itself has been stated by the Quran: إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ (Al-Ankabut:45) and on the Day of Judgment, it will be the first thing to be accounted for (Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith 864). Therefore, whoever starts praying in Ramadan is actually trying to avoid evil and improve his Hereafter. Strengthening this effort of his is piety, and mocking it is an act that leads close to wickedness.
Every worshipper should respect the new worshippers and bring them closer with love and instill the love of the mosque in their hearts. When the mosque becomes a center of love and respect, its effects are not limited to its four walls but spread throughout the entire society. In a society where people respect each other's worship, envy and suspicion decrease. People make things easier for each other, stand together in difficult times, and moral values become stronger. Young people stay close to religion because they receive respect and guidance. Elders feel dignified because their experiences are valued. When children see their elders with love and unity, the love of religion also arises in their hearts. In this way, the gentle and loving atmosphere of the mosque is transferred to homes; the father treats the son gently, the neighbor takes care of the neighbor, and differences begin to be resolved through dialogue.
In contrast, if there is an atmosphere of contempt, sarcasm, and coldness in the mosque, the same attitude permeates society. Distances between hearts increase, small differences turn into big quarrels, and religion begins to feel difficult for people. Therefore, the atmosphere of the mosque actually shapes the mood of the entire society. If there is love in the mosque, the society will learn love; if there is respect in the mosque, the society will adopt respect; and if there is goodwill in the mosque, the society will also become a cradle of goodwill.
Therefore, it is our responsibility to make the mosque a center of love, humility, and brotherhood. We should create such an environment with our attitudes where everyone who comes feels peace, respect, and belonging. When the mosque becomes a means of connecting hearts, then surely our society will also become a bright example of unity, mercy, and goodness.
So, mockery, suspicion, hurting hearts, reward and punishment, and arrogance—these are not all separate topics but links in the same chain. If we adopt love, hearts will be connected, rewards will increase, and society will be strengthened. If we adopt mockery, hearts will be broken, sin will increase, and faith will weaken.
Therefore, respecting the worshippers in Ramadan, praying for them, and striving for their steadfastness is the requirement of faith, piety, and good character.
اَللّٰهُمَّ أَلِّفْ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِنَا وَطَهِّرْهَا مِنَ الْكِبْرِ وَالسُّخْرِيَّةِ وَاجْعَلْنَا سَبَبًا لِلْهُدَى وَلَا تَجْعَلْنَا سَبَبًا لِلضَّلَالَةِ وَثَبِّتْنَا عَلَى الصَّلَاةِ دَائِمًا أَبَدًا آمین یا رب العالمین۔
O Allah, unite our hearts and purify them from arrogance and mockery, and make us a cause for guidance and do not make us a cause for misguidance, and keep us steadfast on prayer forever and ever. Amen, O Lord of the Worlds.