Using the word 'mosque' for Masjid

11-3-2009 | IslamWeb

Question:

assalamualaikum
if i write word of mosque replacement of word masjid are its sin coz so many people said that ,,Please try not to use the word "Mosque" for "Masjid" as it is derived from Mosquito by jews plz tell me what to do jazakallah khiar

---

Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

 

The word ‘mosque’ which you mentioned in the question means Masjid, as far as we know, and it does not mean mosquito. Therefore, it is permissible to call the Masjid by this word [mosque] when speaking or writing in English. The fact that this word [mosque] resembles the word mosquito does not mean that it is derived from it. Also, it is not possible to forbid its use just because of the claim that it is the Jews who used it, and the like. However, if its use is wide-spread among the Christians for the purpose of mocking, then it becomes impermissible to use it.

Indeed, Allaah forbade the believers from saying “Ra’ina”.  The word, “Ra’ina” in Arabic literally means “consider us,” i.e. give us time to hear you and listen to us. The Jews used to use the same word with the meaning of an insult in their language (Hebrew). Therefore, the believers were ordered to avoid this expression and use instead the word “Unthurna” i.e. “wait for us [so that we may understand].” Allaah Says (what means): {O you who have believed, say not [to Allaah’s Messenger], “Ra‘ina” but say, “Unthurna” and listen.}[Quran 2:104]

Allaah Knows best.