“The most beloved of places to Allah are the mosques, and the most hated of places to Allah are the markets.” [Muslim]
Assalam Alaikum
Dear Community Members,
We are writing to you at these very difficult, challenging and unprecedented times where we are all being tested in ways we have not been before.
For a Muslim, the Mosque represents a place where we rekindle our spirituality, strengthen our relationship with the Creator, meet our Muslim brethren, and renew a sense of common belonging. In essence, they are places for the regeneration of our spiritual power through prayers, the remembrance of Allah, recital of the Qur’an, and supplications that enable us to resist the forces of evil. It is not just a place where we meet and greet, but also a place we invite others to share and experience our holy retreat.
However, in view of recent events, it is with great sadness that we are announcing the temporary cessation of all services (including all congregational prayers) with effect from the last prayer (Isha) on Thursday, 19 March 2020. We will keep this decision under constant review.
We realise that this will cause a great deal of sadness to you all, particularly at a time where many are facing severe hardship and need spiritual uplifting. We would like to reassure you all that the Mosque, which is the symbol of our community, will continue to be there for you. Allah has blessed us with the advancement of technology which will enable us all to remain connected. We are looking at innovative ways so that you can continue to engage with the Mosque online (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram). For those who require any assistance, then please email us on: info@lewishamisalmiccentre.com or call us on 020 86905090.
We are sure you will appreciate that this is also a very difficult time for the Mosque and we too will need your ongoing support, which has always been by the grace of Allah, unwavering. When all else trembled, you stood strong like pillars upholding the Mosque. The collective good work that we all do, must continue. The new Muslims we invite to this beautiful faith of ours, must continue. Even today, a new sister accepted Islam at the Mosque, Allahuakbar. Together, we will get through this inshaAllah.
In the meantime, let us renew our Iman (faith) in Allah Almighty, strengthen our relationship with Allah Almighty and increase in our Ibadah (worship) and remembrance of Allah Almighty. Let us reach out to all members of our community and offer our assistance.
Lastly, if you are one of those who is yearning to return to the Mosque, then be patient and remember the words of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) who said:
“There are seven whom God will shade in His shade on the day on which there is no shade except His shade [including] a man whose heart is attached to the mosque when he leaves it until he returns to it….”
[Bukhari]