إِنَّمَا يَعْمُرُ مَسَـٰجِدَ ٱللَّهِ مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَأَقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَى ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَلَمْ يَخْشَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ ۖ فَعَسَىٰٓ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَن يَكُونُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلْمُهْتَدِينَ 18
Translations
The mosques of Allāh are only to be maintained by those who believe in Allāh and the Last Day and establish prayer and give zakāh and do not fear except Allāh, for it is expected that those will be of the [rightly] guided.
Transliteration
Innama ya'muru masajida-Allahi man amana bi-Allahi wa-al-yawmi al-akhiri wa-aqama al-salata wa-ata al-zakata wa-lam yakhsha illa-Allaha fa-asa ulika an yakunu mina al-muhtadin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes that only those who possess true faith in Allah and the Day of Judgment—manifested through establishing prayer, giving zakat, and fearing none but Allah—are the true builders and maintainers of Allah's mosques. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that 'building' (ya'muru) refers not merely to physical construction but to spiritual vitality, regular attendance, and proper conduct within the mosques. The ayah teaches that the mosque's true honor comes from the righteousness of its congregants, not from architectural magnificence or the presence of hypocrites.
Revelation Context
Revealed during the Medinan period, this ayah appears in the context of Surah At-Tawbah's discussion of hypocrites (munafiqun) who would construct a mosque for divisive purposes (referenced in 9:107). The ayah contrasts the actions of sincere believers with those of hypocrites, establishing criteria for authentic mosque participation and leadership.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The most beloved places to Allah are the mosques, and the most hated places to Allah are the markets' (Sahih Muslim 671). Additionally, 'Whoever builds a mosque for the sake of Allah, Allah will build for him a similar house in Paradise' (Sahih Bukhari 450).
Themes
Key Lesson
True religious practice requires both internal conviction (believing in Allah and the Last Day) and external acts of obedience (prayer and charity), while maintaining exclusive reverence for Allah. For believers today, this ayah reminds us that the mosque's sanctity depends on the integrity and devotion of its community, not merely its physical presence.
Related Ayahs
۞ وَمَا كَانَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ لِيَنفِرُوا۟ كَآفَّةً ۚ فَلَوْلَا نَفَرَ مِن كُلِّ فِرْقَةٍ مِّنْهُمْ طَآئِفَةٌ لِّيَتَفَقَّهُوا۟ فِى ٱلدِّينِ وَلِيُنذِرُوا۟ قَوْمَهُمْ إِذَا رَجَعُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَحْذَرُونَ
And it is not for the believers to go forth [to battle] all at once. For there should separate from every division of them a group [remaining] to obtain understanding in the religion and warn [i.e., advise] their people when they return to them that they might be cautious.
ٱلْأَعْرَابُ أَشَدُّ كُفْرًا وَنِفَاقًا وَأَجْدَرُ أَلَّا يَعْلَمُوا۟ حُدُودَ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِۦ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
The bedouins are stronger in disbelief and hypocrisy and more likely not to know the limits of what [laws] Allāh has revealed to His Messenger. And Allāh is Knowing and Wise.
أَلَمْ يَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّهُۥ مَن يُحَادِدِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ فَأَنَّ لَهُۥ نَارَ جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدًا فِيهَا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْخِزْىُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ
Do they not know that whoever opposes Allāh and His Messenger - that for him is the fire of Hell, wherein he will abide eternally? That is the great disgrace.
إِلَّا تَنفِرُوا۟ يُعَذِّبْكُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا وَيَسْتَبْدِلْ قَوْمًا غَيْرَكُمْ وَلَا تَضُرُّوهُ شَيْـًٔا ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
If you do not go forth, He will punish you with a painful punishment and will replace you with another people, and you will not harm Him at all. And Allāh is over all things competent.