Muslim Association of Puget Sound (MAPS) — Attraction in Redmond

AoA. I was blessed to offer first Jummah prayer in this beautiful mosque today. Masha’Allah, the Khutba and recitation of holy Quran in the prayer were amazingly impressive, source of great learning and extremely absorbing. I have visited mosques in multiple North American, European and Asian countries, but have never seen such a level of negligence regarding discipline and respect in a place of worship as witnessed today after the prayer. The mosque should be a sanctuary of peace and devotion, but, on the contrary, as soon as the Imam completed the prayer, 90% of the brothers, the sisters and all the kids assumed the place to be a wedding hall. They were gossiping n laughing aloud and children running and playing. What was most concerning was the utter indifference of the parents who did nothing to control their children. This is deeply unfair to those who take time off from work and other responsibilities to fully engage in prayer, only to have worship sabotaged by constant noise and chaos.

The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ و آلہ و سلم taught us discipline, respect and consideration for others. The mosque is the house of Allah, and it must be treated with reverence. The Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ و آلہ و سلم said: “When one of you prays, he should not let anyone pass in front of him, and if he refuses, he should prevent him as much as he can, for he is a devil.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 509; Muslim, 505). If this is the ruling regarding someone simply walking in front of a person in prayer, what then of majority of adults chatting and children screaming? The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ و آلہ و سلم would shorten the prayer if he heard a child crying so as not to distress the mother (Sahih al-Bukhari, 675; Muslim, 470). However, this does not mean that mosques should be turned into chaotic playgrounds where everyone is given free rein without discipline.

It is the duty of everyone to take care of the fellow worshippers and to educate their children about proper behavior in the mosque. The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ و آلہ و سلم said: “Every one of you is a shepherd, and every one of you is responsible for his flock.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 893; Muslim, 1829). Adults who don’t do this themselves and fail to control their children in the mosque are neglecting their responsibility and being selfish by prioritizing their own convenience over the spiritual needs of the congregation. If the future generation does not learn to respect the house of Allah now, how can we expect them to uphold Islamic values in the future?

This is not a trivial issue—it is a failure of leadership and misplaced priorities. A mosque is a place of worship, not a playground. The lack of discipline affects the entire congregation and deprives them of a peaceful prayer experience. These deliberate shortcomings must not be left unnoticed. May Allah guide us all and help us restore the sanctity...

@smart bargain. I totally agree. It's just like any masjid across America. You have to be Arab or Indo pak to be on the board. If you aren't then you aren't taken seriously just like any masjid in America. What I want everyone to take notice of is this main thing. What If a white American Muslim opened up a masjid in Egypt? The Imam and or Khatib was White American only. And the board of trustees was white American? How would the local Egyptian people feel?

I imagine they will feel pretty low. All across America it is like this. I've been Muslim for 27 years now and it's always been this way. I've personally seen alot of reverts to Islam leave Islam because they never have been included or made to feel welcome inside the masjid in our own country! I've seen sectism, nationalism, and racism so much in the Islamic community.

What are my recommendations? Reach out to the reverts of this country. Some will say, but we moved from Pakistan or wherever and we are Americans now! That might be true by definition. But can I move to Pakistan being a white American and then call myself pakistani or Indonesian? I couldn't even buy land or open a business in both countries much less BE a Pakistani or Indonesian. I just want Muslims to understand what is happening from our point of view.

As far as the Imam, I love him for the sake of Allah. The facility is always clean. The security guard is a joke. I suggest hiring someone that actually knows about security and how to carry himself other than to stare at people's wives. Alot of us reverts lose our families, it isn't easy for us at all. Please...please step it up.

And as far as the women men mixing...my goodness...sometimes it's like being at a singles retreat. We reverts have plenty to offer and would love to be welcomed into the community and included in what happens in our communities. I hope this reaches people well so that changes will happen now or that at minimum will be turned to the right direction. Important to understand, this doesn't happen in just maps, this happens in every single masjid...

MAPS has become more of a public place than religious one. Woman can come wearing mini skirts, and revealing dresses, to which MAPS president and other board members have no problem. In fact they support it(if you are not against it, you are supporting it) If you do not want to offend such people than may be you are offending the ones who want to come to mosque for religious purposes. How are you going to explain your bigotry towards such people who are just leaving MAPS because of open sins that they see in this mosque everyday. In stepping towards being a free and open minded mosque you forgot what are the ruling of people entering the mosque. This mosque needs new leadership one that is not conservative but not too modern also. Remember the purpose of masjid is

"Islam made the Masjid the heartbeat of the Muslim society. It is the hangout of Muslims where they meet one another daily not to perform the prayers only but also for other acts of worship and activities that are beneficial for the Muslim community.

The prophet (S.A.W.) taught us that the Masajid are Allah's houses and that they have etiquette and rules that should be learned and upheld by every Muslim." You have opened a beauty parlor in the mosque "The Muslims should keep away from the Masjid all selling and buying transactions and crying out about something lost. Imams At-Tirmthi and An-Nisa'i reported that the prophet (S.A.W.) said: "If you see some one selling or buying inside the Masjid, say to him: May Allah not make your trading profitable. And if you see someone crying out inside the Masjid something he has lost, say to him: May Allah not restore it to you, for the Masajid were not...