Masjid ar-Rahman Watervliet

01/19/2026

Warm Welcome to Mr Charles Patricelli, Mayor of Watervliet, to our Community. Hope you enjoyed the food 🥘 and company.

01/17/2026

Award Ceremony for Humanitarian of the Year

04/13/2025

Etiquette of Mosques: Values that Unite Us
Our Ethics in the Mosques Reflect Our Hearts

By Imam Dr. Abdelhamid Algizawi
Member of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in the United States of America

Mosques are the blessed houses of Allah, sanctuaries of light and havens for souls. They are the windows through which the spirit gazes upon the horizons of the heavens, where spiritual elevation manifests in its most beautiful form, and where the majesty of worship meets the beauty of ethics. In these pure houses, the highest values of respect and refinement emerge.

Adhering to the etiquettes of mosques is not only a religious duty but also a spiritual message reflecting the purity of the soul and the beauty of Islam rooted in noble values. Here, in these schools of faith, ethics are shaped, souls are refined, and hearts are illuminated by the lights of faith.

1. Raising one's voice in the mosque: Silence is the language of souls, and the mosque is a haven of tranquility where hearts humble themselves and souls listen to the remembrance of Allah. Raising one's voice extinguishes the light of humility. Allah Almighty commanded: "When the Qur'an is recited, listen to it and be silent that you may receive mercy" (Al-A'raf: 204).

2. Not organizing rows during prayer: Standing in aligned rows symbolizes unity and the beauty of congregation. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Align yourselves in your rows and do not differ, lest your hearts differ." This call manifests internal and external order.

3. Leaving children unattended: Children are a blessing when guided properly, and the mosque is their first school. We must teach them that tranquility is a hallmark of worship.

4. Using strong perfumes: Moderate fragrance reflects refined behavior, whereas strong scents may disturb worshippers. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Of the things I love in your worldly life are women and fragrance."

5. Failing to adhere to modest attire: Modest clothing reflects respect for the place. Allah Almighty said: "O children of Adam, take your adornment at every mosque" (Al-A'raf: 31).

6. Eating in the mosque: Preserving the cleanliness of Allah's houses is a duty that demonstrates our appreciation for their sanctity.

7. Sleeping improperly in the mosque: Sleeping in the mosque is permissible when necessary, but maintaining order reflects our respect for the place.

8. Being distracted during the sermon: The sermon is a moment of connection with the heavens, and distractions diminish these sacred moments. Allah Almighty said: "Do not invalidate your deeds" (Muhammad: 33).

9. Disrespecting prayer spaces: We must consider others and avoid leaving belongings in prayer areas.

10. Bringing unnecessary items: The mosque is not a place for personal belongings but a house for obedience and reverence.

11. Crowding during entry and exit: Order within the mosque reflects beautiful conduct and respect for the congregation.

12. Being preoccupied with photography inside the mosque: Photography disrupts the atmosphere of worship, and the mosque is a space of tranquility, not worldly displays.

13. Neglecting the cleanliness of the mosque: Cleanliness in the mosque is an act of worship that enhances the beauty of Islam.

14. Failing to organize shoes: Organizing shoes reflects individual discipline and respect.

15. Being late for congregational prayer: Congregational prayer is the unity of the Ummah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Prayer in congregation is better than individual prayer by twenty-seven degrees."

16. Using the mosque for worldly purposes: Mosques are the houses of Allah, not arenas for commerce. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "If you see someone buying or selling in the mosque, say: May Allah not grant you profit in your trade."

17. Disturbing worshippers: Any act that disrupts the serenity of worship detracts from its beauty. Let us ensure tranquility.

18. Wasting water: Water is a great blessing, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Do not waste water even if you are at a flowing river."

19. Ignoring the elderly and children: Respect and compassion are obligatory. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "He is not of us who does not honor our elders or show mercy to our young."

20. Leaving Qur'ans unorganized: Organizing Qur'ans demonstrates appreciation for the place and reflects the glory of Islam.

Conclusion: Mosques remain beacons of faith and schools of morality. They are places of purity and windows of light. Let our actions within them embody the highest values of Islam, so every prostration becomes a lamp illuminating the path of peace and virtue.

03/31/2025

Eid Mubarak from the Masjid ar-Rahman community!

03/28/2025

It was a great honor to have the mayor of Watervliet, Mr. Charles Patricelli, open the evening of our 2025 fundraising dinner with some words of wisdom. Charles Patricelli

03/15/2025

Ten Guidelines for Successful Parenting in the West

Raising our children is a huge responsibility but it can also be the cause of perpetual reward. Allah says, “O you who believe, save yourselves and your families from a Fire…”, and “ 20hose who believed and their progeny followed them in belief, we will join them with their progeny…(in Jannah)”

Here are some principles that will help us in bringing up our children successfully inshaAllah:

1-Teach your children to have Taqwa (Fear of Allah) and Muraqabah (Knowing that Allah is constantly watching). This can be done by instilling a sense of morality and that if we do something wrong, even if no one sees us, Allah still sees us.

2-Remind them to always check their intentions. Whenever they do anything, they should ask themselves, “Is Allah pleased with this?”

3-Show them the importance of Tazkiyyah, or purifying our hearts. Sit down with them and teach them the morning and evening adhkaar. Teach them the virtues of humility, pardoning, empathy, and avoiding anger, hatred, and greed.

4-Be a good role model for them. Also, make sure they have a mentor, someone they can look up to and feel comfortable asking questions to and seek their advice.

5-Learn the Names of Allah and teach them to your children with their meanings.

6-Erase the stains of worldly desires from their heart. Remind them about the Hereafter, and the temporary nature of this world.

7-Impart in them the importance of referring to the Qur’an and Sunnah for all of our affairs, and praying Istikhara, asking Allah’s guidance and help. “Seek Allah’s help and don’t be weak.”

8-Show them the importance of lawful sustenance. Only eat halal and remind them that money earned from haram will have no Barakah.

9-Reduce their access and consumption of social media. Connect them to the Masjid, righteous friends, and involve them in socially and physically beneficial activities.

10-Pray for them, nurture them, and never make dua against them. Ask Allah for their hidayah and to cause the hereafter to be a priority in their lives.

10/07/2024

New Bathrooms!

Assalamu alaikum

Alhamdu lillah, we are grateful to announce the completion of our masjid's men’s bathroom renovation. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who contributed to this noble project.

May Allah (SWT) reward you abundantly for your generosity, time, and efforts. Your contributions have enabled us to provide a cleaner and more comfortable space for our community to perform their daily prayers and activities.

We pray that Allah accepts our collective efforts and blesses our masjid with peace, unity, and spiritual growth.

Jazakum Allahu khairan (may Allah reward you with goodness) to all donors, volunteers, and supporters.

We want to get our heating and water heater system upgraded part of next project. Please contribute for the house of Allah as much as we can
Jazakallah

09/11/2024

Please Support Our Projects

Alhamdulillah work on updating the bathrooms is ongoing at Masjid at-Rahman. And so is our Relief work in the Syrian refugee camps. We need your generous support to continue these effort. Please click below to donate: https://square.link/u/nk651Gt7?src=sheet

05/28/2024

05/01/2024

Ibn Al Qayyim, رحمه الله said:

“The reasons which cause love of Allah to develop, are ten:

1. Reciting the Qur‘ân, reflecting and understanding its meaning and its intent.

2. Drawing closer to Allâh – the Most High – through optional deeds, after fulfilling the obligatory duties.

3. Being continuous in the dhikr (remembrance) of Allâh, with the tongue, the heart and the limbs – under all circumstances. The more constant the dhikr, the more mahabbah develops and intensifies.

4. Giving precedence to what Allâh loves over personal loves, when being overcome by desires.

5. Contemplating and deliberating over the Names and Attributes of Allâh.

6. Recognising and remembering the favours and bounties of Allâh – both the manifest and hidden.

7. To be humble and submissive before Allâh – and this is the greatest matter.

8. To be in seclusion reciting the Qur‘ân, during that time in which Allâh descends to the lowest heaven (which is the last third of every night), finishing this recitation with seeking Allâh’s forgiveness and repenting to Him.

9. To sit in the gatherings of true and sincere lovers of Allâh, reaping the fruits of their speech, and not to speak except if there is benefit in it and that you know that such talk will increase you in goodness and that it will benefits others as well.

10. To stay clear of all those causes which distances the heart from Allâh – the Mighty and Majestic.

So these are the ten reasons which cause the person to develop true love for Allâh and to reach the rank of al-muhabbah, by which he reaches his Beloved.”

[The Stations of the Wayfarers (3/17-18).]

04/16/2024

Let us come together as a community to pray, supplicate, and seek the blessings of Allah. Your presence will not only enrich our masjid but will also strengthen our bond as believers.
May Allah reward you abundantly for your efforts and grant you blessings in this life and the Hereafter. Ameen.

JazakAllah Khair.