20 May 1901

Building More Mosques than Needed

A letter was received from somewhere stating: “We would like to build a mosque, and for the sake of blessings, would like you to donate in this cause as well.” His Holiness (as) stated: “I can give to this cause; I have no issue in doing so. However, we are already faced with many large and important expenses which must be fulfilled. In comparison to these expenses, spending on these sorts of works seems to me superfluous. How can I take part in such endeavours? The mosque that is being constructed here by the hand of God—which is the Aqsa Mosque—takes precedence. People ought to send money for this purpose instead and partake in spiritual reward. My true friend is one who heeds my advice, not one who gives preference to their own point of view. A man came to Imam Abu Hanifah (rta) and stated that he was building a mosque. The man said: ‘We would like you to give a donation in this cause as well.’ Imam Abu Hanifah (rta) excused himself saying: ‘I cannot give you anything,’ even though he could have given much if he so desired. The man said: ‘I do not ask for much, just give us anything as a blessing.’ Finally, he gave the man a coin that was approximately equivalent to two annas. In the evening, the man came back with the coin and said: ‘Good sir! The coin that you have given me has turned out to be a counterfeit.’ When Imam Abu Hanifah (rta) heard this, he was overjoyed and said: ‘That is wonderful. The fact is, I did not want to give anything in the first place. There are enough mosques already, and I felt that this new undertaking was an act of extravagance.’”1