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You will get groups saying do not send those clips out and do not expose to protect the dignity of others. Our question is who will stand up for the under privileged if the Ummah is not alerted of this common abuse upon the less privileged. How will we ever improve ourselves? Judging and looking down upon those less fortunate has become a common feature not just for trustees but within our own homes.
Custodians of the Haqq released an important message for the Ummah regarding the issue of abusing Masjid Cleaners:
Following some audio clips that were shared on social media wherein a person is heard hurling vulgarity and Haraam racist-kind remarks to a group of Muslims of a different skin colour, we hereby wish to mention a word of caution to the Trustees, youngsters and those whose intellect has been blurred by the temporary worldly wealth they possess.
An important point is, that despite the audio clips in which almost each clip has a vulgar or several vulgar words hurled towards Honourable Masjid Cleaners, this issue shouldn’t be isolated to only the small Muslim community (a town in Mpumalanga in which few liberalminded scholars of UUCSA and JUSA reside) from where the audios have surfaced.
Unfortunately, this type of mistreatment, abuse, vulgarity, threatening and similar un-Islamic conduct could be happening to other Honourable Masjid Cleaners at other Masjids as well. Another point to remember is that such doings are not only restricted to Masjid cleaners or Muazzins. We are fully aware of even an Honourable Imam Sahib of the African Race who faced vulgarity and abuse. Very quickly, threats of ‘cutting salary’ is blurted out. Firstly, the salaries in many cases given to such an Honourable Khidmat (Service/‘job’) is a meagre pittance. Then, to top it all, threatening to cut x amount from the salary from a pittance is cutting about half the salary paid per month!
We make Du’a unto Allah Ta’ala to grant the Trustees understanding, Aameen Trustees should be punctual Musallis, humble, pious and should be wearing the Sunnah Libaas (clothing) at all times. Not to mention of having the Waajib fist length beard. He should also be having Islamic knowledge and should be frequenting or taking Naseehat from Ulama-e- Haq – not You-Tube pop-star scholars like the mob of UUCSA/JUSA and company.
Even if a person is appointed as a caretaker of the Masjid, he should abide by the above basic requirements to discharge the Great Trust (Amaanat) of the Khidmat he is entrusted with. If not, then he should be dismissed from this Noble Post with immediate effect! But, Alas! Today, when Allah Ta’ala creates situations for dismissing a careless Trustee or caretaker, then due to Jahaalat and/or ego, offense is taken. May Allah Ta’ala save the Masaajid, the Muslim communities and the sincere Imaams, Muazzins and cleaners – even if their skin colour is darker than the Trustees’ or caretaker’s and even if their nett worth is far, far below the bank balance of such people.
Hereunder are few virtues mentioning the Great Honour a cleaner of the Masjid is awarded with, in Islam:
- O Muslim Trustee! Did you know that the Masjid cleaner in the time of Nabi
(Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was also an African Muslim?
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَجُلاً، أَسْوَدَ أَوِ امْرَأَةً سَوْدَاءَ كَانَ يَقُمُّ الْمَسْجِدَ، فَمَاتَ،
فَسَأَلَ ال نَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنْهُ فَقَالُوا مَاتَ . قَالَ ” أَفَلاَ كُنْتُمْ آذَنْتُمُونِي بِهِ
دُلُّونِي عَلَى قَبْرِهِ “. أَوْ قَالَ قَبْرِهَا فَأَتَى قَبْرَهُ فَصَلَّى عَلَيْهِ .
Narrated by Hazrat Abu Hurairah (Radhiyallahu anhu), “A black man – or a
black woman – used to sweep the Masjid and he (or she) passed away. Nabi
(Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) asked about her (or him). The Sahaabah
(Radhiyallahu anhum) replied, “He (or she) had passed away.” He
(Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Why did you not inform me? Show me
his Qabr (or her grave).” So he (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) went to his (or
her) grave and offered Janaazah Salaah there.” (Bukhari Shareef) - There are numerous virtues of cleaning the masjid. Imam Ibn Majah has
recorded a narration on the authority of Sayyiduna Abu Sa’eed Khudri
(Radhiyallahu anhu) which states, “Allah Ta’ala will build a home in Jannah
for the one who removes dirt from the Masjid.” (Ibn Majah, Hadith: 757) - Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) commanded that Masjids be built
among houses [i.e., in each Neighbourhood and locality] and that they be
cleaned and perfumed.
[Notice how many Hadith Shareef Kitaabs have mentioned the above
Command of Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam): Sunan Tirmizi Shareef,
Sunan Abu Dawood Shareef, Sunan Ibn Majah Shareef, Musannaf Ibn Abi
Shaybah, Saheeh Ibn Hibban] - Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “… removing dirt from the masjid is
the dowry of the Hoors’ (damsels of Jannah).”
[Tabaraani (Rahimahullah) in his Al Mu’jamul Kabir; Majma’uz Zawaid;
Abu Nu’aym (Rahimahullah)]
