“Who is like you?
Between you and Him, the path is open. Whenever you want, you can go to Him without any obstacle, perform ablution, and stand before Him. No door, no doorman! You can directly express your distress and needs to Him, and ask for help in your affairs… Is there anyone like you, O son of Adam?”
(Quoted from a narration by Imam Hassan (peace be upon him))[1]
It is likely that at times you may have felt lonely and in need of connection with others, but even virtually, you may find that no one is available—either they don’t have the time, or there is nothing they can do to help…
Communication and intimacy with God is a different equation. Connecting with this attentive companion is available to us at every moment, in every place. Among all places, one of the holiest locations in the world is the mosque. Although mosques vary in virtue, the value of the people of the mosque is immense; so much so that Imam Hassan (peace be upon him) always said: “The people of the mosque are the pilgrims of God, and it is fitting for the host to give a gift to the visitor”[2].
Therefore, it is good to take time out from the hustle and bustle of everyday life to include the spiritual benefit of the mosque in our daily routine.
Historically, people have had three roles in mosques: one group engages in prayer, another in Quran recitation, and a third in learning knowledge. But sometimes in certain mosques, it may happen that some are involved in buying and selling, others in gossiping, and others still in arguments and futile conversations!
However, if we continue our attendance at the mosque and utilize its blessings properly, as Imam Hassan (peace be upon him) said, we will gain one of seven precious gifts from our Merciful Lord.
Imam Hassan (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever regularly attends the mosques will gain at least one of the following seven gifts:
- A brother from whom he benefits in the way of God.
- Select knowledge.
- A mercy expected (from God).
- A firm sign that guides him to the right path.
- A trait that either prevents or leads him away from wrong behavior[3].
- A sin that he abandons out of shyness (and modesty).
- God-consciousness (taqwa)[4].”
So, it is good that while life is still with us, we hurry to visit our Lord and take full advantage of the opportunity to be present in the mosques.
(Excerpted from the book The Culture of Imam Hassan’s Sayings by late Hujjat al-Islam Muhammad Dashti (with some additions and edits))
Footnotes:
[1] (Irshad al-Qulub, Volume 1, p. 77)
[2] Ibid.
[3] The narrator of this sentence mentions that he believes Imam Hassan (peace be upon him) said this.
[4] (Bihar al-Anwar, Volume 80, p. 386)