When Sacred Spaces Are Misused: Lessons from the Qur’anic Account of Masjid al-Dirār

The occasion for reflecting on this verse: 19 Rajab: The Occurrence of the Battle of Tabuk (9 AH)

Introduction

In the ninth year after Hijrah, during the preparations for the Battle of Tabuk, a group of hypocrites built a mosque near Masjid Quba not for worship, but to cause division and undermine the Muslim community. Although outwardly religious, their project was exposed by divine revelation. The Qur’an firmly rejected this misuse of sacred space, drawing a timeless distinction between faith rooted in piety and structures founded on deception:

وَالَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا مَسْجِدًا ضِرَارًا وَكُفْرًا وَتَفْرِيقًا بَيْنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَإِرْصَادًا لِمَنْ حَارَبَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ مِنْ قَبْلُ وَلَيَحْلِفُنَّ إِنْ أَرَدْنَا إِلَّا الْحُسْنَىٰ ۖ وَاللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنَّهُمْ لَكَاذِبُونَ لَا تَقُمْ فِيهِ أَبَدًا ۚ لَمَسْجِدٌ أُسِّسَ عَلَى التَّقْوَىٰ مِنْ أَوَّلِ يَوْمٍ أَحَقُّ أَنْ تَقُومَ فِيهِ ۚ فِيهِ رِجَالٌ يُحِبُّونَ أَنْ يَتَطَهَّرُوا ۚ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُطَّهِّرِينَ

“And those who established a mosque to cause harm, disbelief, and division among the believers, and as a base for those who previously waged war against Allah and His Messenger, will surely swear, ‘We intended nothing but good.’ But Allah bears witness that they are liars.

Do not ever stand there. A mosque founded on God-consciousness from the very first day is more worthy for you to stand in. In it are men who love to purify themselves, and Allah loves those who purify themselves.” (Surah al-Tawbah 9:107–108)

Educational messages of the verses for teens and youth

1. Intentions Matter More Than Appearances

Not everything that looks religious is sincere; Allah looks at hearts, not slogans.

Practical challenge: Before joining an activity, ask yourself honestly why you want to do it.

2. Do Not Follow Those Who Create Division

Those who spread division among Muslims weaken the community and serve hidden agendas.

Practical challenge: This week, avoid sharing any online content that insults or divides Muslims of other schools.

3. Do Not Be Deceived by Religious Appearances

Nice words and religious symbols do not always reflect sincere faith or good intentions.

Practical challenge: Before trusting someone, look at their actions, not just their speech.

4. Hypocrisy Always Ends in Exposure

The Qur’an reminds us that betrayal and hypocrisy may hide for a time, but never forever.

Practical challenge: Reflect on one area of your life and correct any gap between what you say and what you do.

5. Even Religious Spaces Can Be Misused

Sometimes mosques, slogans, or religious tools are used to spread hatred, conflict, or misguidance.

Practical challenge: Ask yourself whether a religious activity you attend promotes unity, justice, and God-consciousness.

6. Purity Includes Behaviour, Not Just Rituals

Cleanliness in Islam includes honesty, respect, and responsibility.

Practical challenge: Practise one act of moral cleanliness today, such as apologising sincerely.

Educational messages of the verses for parents

1. Righteous Company for Your Family

True piety is known by character and behaviour, not by religious appearance alone.

Practical challenge: Evaluate your family’s close social circle and encourage relationships with genuinely ethical people.

2. Teach Children to Discern Sincerity

Children must learn that religious language can sometimes mask harmful motives.

Practical challenge: Discuss with your child the difference between real faith and pretence.

3. Protect Children from Toxic Religious Spaces

Not every religious-labelled space nurture faith.

Practical challenge: Review your child’s learning and social environments thoughtfully.

4. Link Purity to Character

Help children see purity as honesty, mercy, and responsibility.

Practical challenge: Praise your child for a moral action alongside a religious performance.

Educational messages of the verses for imams, chaplains, and religious leaders

1. Promote Unity Among Muslims

Reducing sectarian tension is a religious duty, not a political choice.

Practical challenge: Dedicate one sermon or programme this month to Islamic unity and mutual respect.

2. Ensure the Mosque Is Built on Taqwa

A mosque should serve sincerity, guidance, and community wellbeing, not division or power.

Practical challenge: Review and reflect on your mosque’s activities and intentions.

3. The Value of a Mosque Lies in Its People and Intentions

The honour of a mosque comes from sincere worshippers and pure intentions, not buildings or numbers.

Practical challenge: Strengthen programmes that nurture ethics, humility, and spiritual growth among congregants.

4. Resist the Instrumentalisation of Religion

Religion must never be used as a political or personal weapon.

Practical challenge: Publicly reaffirm the moral boundaries of religious authority.

5. Cultivate Both Inner and Outer Purity

The importance of having sincere intentions and a righteous inner state does not diminish the significance of correct outward behaviour and actions. Strive to nurture and pay attention to both the inner and outer purity of believers simultaneously.

Practical Challenge: Each week, create a profile of a social group (e.g., employee, teacher, shopkeeper, homemaker, service worker, etc.) and illustrate both their inner and outer Islamic qualities. Share this with your audience to clearly demonstrate the simultaneous development of internal and external spiritual growth.