A regular feature in Common Sense is a word of reflection or recent letter from the leader of the Islamic Party of Britain, David Musa Pidcock The following is his contribution to issue 26 (Autumn 1998) of Common Sense.

The Mosque in modern society

It would be a welcome surprised to hear of Mosques in which there were no conflicts of interest or clashes of personality. A sign of the times is the burgeoning growth of individualism among leaders of mosques and their congregations. Bitter rivalries for positions of eminence and influence, incessant squabbling over trivial matters. What ever happened to that selflessness which was the hall mark of earlier generations of believers?

The answer, I believe, is to be found in the following passages from the hadith or sayings of God's last Messenger, upon whom be peace,

1. "When learning is acquired for other than religious purposes, voices are raised in the mosques..."

2. "...Mosques will have external decorations and beauty and there will be worshippers too, but there will be enmity and mutual hostility in their hearts..."

I bear witness that this situation obtains in most, if not all, the towns and cities throughout the length and breadth of these islands and the rest of the Islamic world. Many of the conflicts derive from the glut of schisms which have developed, again in line with the predictions of RasuluLlah, What then should we do when we realise that the ego has landed? Well, after making sure that the particular ego at fault isn't our own, as the saying goes: When all else fails read the instructions. And the instructions are clear and unequivocal when it comes to matters of good neighbourliness and the avoidance of backbiting and scandal-mongering.

1. Woe to every scandal-monger and backbiter, who pileth up wealth and layeth it by, thinking that his wealth will make him live forever! By no means! He will be sure to be thrown into that which Breaks to Pieces, And what mill explain to you that which Breaks to Pieces? It is the Fire of Allah kindled to a blaze which does mount right to the Hearts. It shall be made into a vault over them, in columns outstretched."

(Surah 104, "Al-Humazah", verses 1-9)

2. "...woe to the worshippers who are neglectful of their prayers, who wish (only) to be seen (of men), but refuse to provide neighbourly needs..."

(Surah 107, "Al-Ma'un", verses 4 -7)

At this point it might be a good idea to recall the full prophecy given some 1400 years ago by God's final Prophet, Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. He said,

• A time will come when, "Prayers will be neglected, carnal desires will be pursued, transgressors will become leaders, and it will not be possible to distinguish the truth from falsehood." - This clearly anticipates the arrival behaviour of - amongst many others in the Islamic world - Saddam Hussein and in the secular world the scandal of Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky.
• "Telling lies will become desirable, the payment of zakat/charity will be considered a burden, the believer will be deemed to be the most disgraceful, and he or she will be pained at being surrounded by evil and unable to speak out." - Again the lies of Bill Clinton and Salman Rushdie spring readily to mind, and who, in his or her right mind, can doubt the remainder of the hadith.
• "Rain will do no good and will fall out of season. Men will commit adultery with men and women with women."
• Women will dominate.
• The offspring will disobey their parents, friends will treat each other badly, Sins will be taken lightly, Mosques will have external decorations and beauty and there will be worshippers too, but there will be enmity and mutual hostility in their hearts.
• Then will appear a people from the West (Magrib) who will dominate the weak amongst my people.
• People will produce copies of the Holy Qur'an in letters of gold but will not act upon it.
• The Qur'an will be recited in a melodious way.
• Usury (i.e. Interest, Riba, Sood, Feis, Bungha) will become rampant, human blood will have no value, religion will have no helpers.
• Singing women will be on the increase.
• The rich will perform Hajj as a pastime, the people of the middle class to conduct business, and the poor to beg."

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