Of all the places on this universe the most dearest to Allah is the Masjid, and it is for this reason that the Masjid is known as the 'House of Allah'. Masjid is the court of Allah, where every Muslim presents himself to his Lord five times a day with purification. To look after the Masjid, to keep it clean and tidy, and to fully observe it's etiquettes is absolutely necessary for all those attending.

Faqeeh Abul Layth Samarqandi (rahmatullahi alayh) has mentioned some fifteen important etiquettes that deserve observance (by those attending masjid). They are being noted hereunder with references of Hadeeth. It is hoped that all Muslims will observe these etiquettes.

Adab 1: When entering the Masjid, salaam should be said. If at the time of entry there are other people already present in the Masjid and are not engaged in worship, recitation of Quraan etc. then the salaam should be said as usual in the masnoon manner. If there is nobody in the Masjid, or those present are busy in Masjid, then the salaam should be said in the following words:

Assalaamu 'alaynaa mirrabbinaa wa'alaa 'ibaadillahis saaliheen.
Translation: Peace be upon us from our Lord and upon His pious servants.

Adab 2: After entering the Masjid, two raka'at tahiyyatul masjid should be performed before sitting down. Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, "When anyone from amongst you enters the Masjid, he should perform two raka'at before sitting down." (Bukhaari)

Adab 3: One should not buy or sell anything in the Masjid. Abu Hurayrah (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, "When you see anyone buying or selling in the masjid then say: 'May Allah ta'aalaa not give you barakah (profit) in this business of yours'." (Targheeb)

Adab 4: One should not raise sword, knife, etc. in the Masjid. Ibne 'Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates from Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) that there are certain actions which are improper in the Masjid:

• Masjid should not be made a passage or a pathway.
  
• One should not raise weapon to hurt or kill someone.
  
• One should not pull or twang the string of a bow.
  
• One should not practice archery.
  
• One should not pass through it taking (with him) raw meat.
  
• Hadd* and Qisass** should not be inflicted.
  
• It should not be turned into a market place.
  (Ibne Maajah, Targheeb)

Adab 5: One should not make announcements to find lost property. Abu Hurayrah (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates, "I have heard from Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) that if one hears someone making an announcement in the masjid to find his lost article then he (the hearer) should say: 'May Allah ta'aalaa not return your object.' The Masjid has not been made for this purpose." (Aboo Daawood)

Adab 6: Other than Allah's zikr (remembrance), voice should not be raised. To make noise, to talk loudly etc. are contrary to respect. If zikr and recitation of Quraan loudly, causes inconvenience to someone performing Salaat, then one should recite softly.

Adab 7: One should not talk about worldy affairs. Nowadays it has become a custom amongst us of forming groups after finishing the ibaadat, to talk about worldly matters. It is correct that kalaame mubaah (permissible conversation) is not prohibited, but the masjid is the place of worship. To make it a place for talking is unacceptable. Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, "There will come a time upon people when they will talk about worldly affairs in the masjid. At such occasions, do not sit with them. Allah ta'aalaa does not need such people." (Bayhaqi)

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) made his statement for conversation on worldly matters, whereas we engage ourselves in gheebat (back-biting), buhtaan (slander), etc. in such holy places. It is therefore, of utmost importance to safeguard ourselves from this.

Adab 8: One should not leap over the shoulders of others to find place in the front row. Anas Juhani (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) has said, "Whosoever leaps over the shoulders of others on Friday (i.e. Friday congregation), he will be made a bridge (leading) to Jahannam." (Tirmizi, Mishkaat)

Adab 9: One should not quarrel with others to obtain a place. Abdullah Ibne 'Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) has forbidden from occupying a place by moving a person already sitting there before his arrival. Naafi' (rahmatullahi alayh) was asked, "Is this order only for Friday Salaat?" He replied, "For Friday and all other Salaat, the order is one."

Adab 10: One should not force himself into a row when there is not enough space causing inconvenience to others.

Adab 11: One should not walk across someone performing Salaat. Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, "If the person who walks across a person performing Salaat had known how much sin is being committed, then he would have preferred to stand and wait in that place of crossing for forty years if he had to." (Tirmizi)

Adab 12: One should not spit, clean nose, etc. in the masjid. Similarly one should not make the masjid filthy by killing mosquitoes, bugs, etc. Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, "To spit in masjid is a sin, and to bury (clean) it is it's expiation." (Tirmizi)

In another Hadeeth it is stated, "If you find a lice, etc. in the masjid then do not kill it in the Masjid; instead, take it in your clothes and kill it outside after having left the Masjid." (Musannaf Abdur Razzaaq)

Adab 13: One should not crack bones or fingers. Allaamah Shaami (rahmattullahi alayh) has stated referring to Mujtabaa that Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) has forbidden from cracking fingers in the Masjid.

Adab 14: Safeguard the Masjid from those things which make it impure. Children under the age of seven and mentally-handicapped persons should not be allowed to come to the Masjid. Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, "Safeguard your Masjid from small children and mentally handicapped persons and from inflicting hadd*." (Ibne Maajah)

Adab 15: Engage in recitation of Quraan, zikr, worship, etc. as much as possible. It is stated in a Hadeeth that the Masjid is built only for the zikr of Allah, Salaat and reciting Qur'aan. (Muslim)