VIRTUES OF THE PROPHETS (Sallal-Laahu Alayhe Wasallam)MASJID IN MADINA 1. The foundation of the Prophets (Sallal-Laahu Alayhe Wasallam) Masjidwas laid on piety. Prophets (Sallal-Laahu Alayhe Wasallam) Masjid is one of those Masjidswhose foundation was laid on piety. This is described in the Quran and Hadith. Allah (SWT) says in At-Taubah 108 Verily, the Masjid whose foundation was laid from the first day on piety is more worthy that you stand therein (to pray). In it are men who love to clean and to purify themselves. And Allah loves those who make themselves clean and pure. It is narrated by Abu Saeed Khudari (RU) that Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said, The above verse is describing Prophets (PBUH) Masjid. 1 Further explanation of the above, verse and some other Hadith support the idea that both, the Prophets (PBUH) Masjid and the Quba Masjid, have their foundations laid on piety. The following scholars have discussed this topic in more detail. Scholar Book Volume and page Ibn HajarFath Al-BariV6, P 245SamhoudiVifa Al-VifaV2, P 415 Ibn Al-JauziZad-Ul MaseerV3, P 501 2. Virtues of teaching / learning activities in the Prophets (PBUH) Masjid: Seeking beneficial knowledge is a form of worship and it brings a person closer to Allah (SWT). Allah (SWT) says in Fatir 28 It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allah. Verily, Allah is All-Mighty, Oft-Forgiving. When the teaching/learning activity is conducted in the Prophets (PBUH) Masjid, it becomes a superior form of worship. Abu Hurairah (RU) narrated that Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said, Whoever will come to my Masjid with the only intention to conduct teaching/learning activities and to promote beneficial knowledge will have his reward equivalent to the person who fights in the path of Allah (SWT). A person who has some other purpose in his mind is like an individual who is looking towards others wealth.2 Abu Umamah Al-Bahili (RU) narrated that Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said, Whoever visits my Masjid in the morning with the sole purpose of conducting teaching/ learning activities will have a reward equivalent to performing a Hajj.3 3. Virtues of performing Salat (congregational prayer) in the Prophets (PBUH)Masjid: According to many narrations, the reward for offering one salat in the Prophets (PBUH) Masjid is equivalent to one thousand salats. In other words the reward for one salat in the Prophets PBUH Masjid is greater than performing salats in another Masjid for a period of six months. Abu Omar (RU) narrated that Prophet Mohammad PBUH said, One salat offered in my Masjid is superior to one thousand salats offered in other masjids except Masjid Al-Haraam (Makkah Al- Mukaramah).4 The scholars have discussed this Hadith in great detail. It must be, however, kept in mind that this Hadith is not describing the number of salats as such. It is rather pointing out the amount of reward. In other words the amount of reward for one salat in the Prophets (PBUH) Masjid will be greater than one thousand salats performed elsewhere except in MasjidAl-Haraam. Furthermore, if a previously missed salat is offered in the Prophets (PBUH) Masjid, it will be considered only as one salat and not one thousand salats. 4. Virtues of Salat in the extensions of the Prophets (PBUH) Masjid: All scholars agree that the salat performed in the extensions of the Prophets (PBUH) Masjid has the same merit as the salat offered inside the Prophets (PBUH) Masjid existing at the time of the Prophet Mohammad PBUH. Zainud-Din Rajab said that the merit of the salat in an extension is the same as in the original Masjid. Hence the virtues and merits of offering salat in the extensions of Masjid Al-Haraam and the Prophets (PBUH) Masjid will be the same as in the respective original Masjid. For more discussion see the following references: Books Volume and Page Vifa Al-VifaV1, P 357Fatawa Ibn TaimiyaV2, P 146Al-Majmuaa NawawiV8, P 277 5. Virtues of salat offered in the adjoining areas of the Prophets PBUH Masjid: There are very large number of people who offer salat during Salat-ul-Juma (