How to Make Progress In Your Masjid

How to Make Progress In Your Masjid

Larry Pasha, Imam (http://hometown.aol.com/lpasha)

O mankind! there hath come to you a direction from your Lord and a healing for the (diseases) in your hearts and for those who believe a Guidance and a Mercy. (Qur'an 10:57)

As Muslims, we are the only ones whom can improve our Masjid operations. To do this work, we have in our hands today the powerful instruments that brought profound change to mankind,….the Qur'an and Sunnah. In combination with these two, we must have skilled and committed people in the right positions, whom do the right things.

The most important relations are not those we have with anyone else. The most important relations are those between us, the believers. We can meet other communities and admire what they have accomplished. We may even seek to establish working relations with hope to learn from them how they were successful. We may admire the achievement of many groups but miss the point when we focus only on their material holdings and political expertise.

The real matters are in how people of any group communicate with each other; the support they give to their way of life; the respect for opinions; respect for the decision makers and decision making system; agreement to never destroy their processes or leadership; and finally agreement on how to express dis-satisfaction.

We know Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and the companions as completely trustworthy individuals. They feared and obeyed Gods commandments in private and public. We know their thoughts and beliefs but not all the details of how they achieved using the Qur'an and Sunnah. This is why we must struggle to do what we must do today. We must pray that Allah will make us better examples and expressions of His will.

Below are nine ways to improve your Masjid, if you can add or improve on them from your Masjids experience, please email us at info@isna.net

1. Strengthen and perfect your Deen and your relationship with Allah

2. Get involved or start a group study session

3. Make a continuous effort to reach out to people you have not talked. Many Muslims stay within their cultural groups and they need to reach out to each other

4. Reach out to people you have prior disagreements with. Most disagreements are not worth having, and the best in the sight to Allah is the one who forgives first.

5. Acquire administrative, operations skills and education.

6. Follow those who have character.

7. Sign the social contract. Make the Pledge as given to Prophet Muhammad. This is our vow that can only be broken under extreme circumstances.

8. Have agreement on how to handle conflict and dissension.

9. On-going training in better governance/leadership concepts, Masjid management and decision-making.