Masjids
Masjids Are for God Alone
The Quran explicitly states that all masjids are for the worship of God alone, and no other name or entity should be invoked or commemorated within them:
وَأَنَّ ٱلۡمَسَـٰجِدَ لِلَّهِ فَلَا تَدۡعُواْ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ أَحَدٗا
Wa-anna al-masājida lillāhi fa-lā tadʿū maʿa Allāhi aḥadā
The masjids are for God, so do not call upon anyone else besides God.
(72:18)
Salat Is Devoted to God Alone
Salat is an act of worship that must glorify and commemorate only God:
قُلۡ إِنَّ صَلَاتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحۡيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُۥۖ وَبِذَٰلِكَ أُمِرۡتُ وَأَنَا۠ أَوَّلُ ٱلۡمُسۡلِمِينَ
Qul inna Salātī wa-nusukī wa-maḥyāya wa-mamātī lillāhi rabbi al-ʿālamīn. Lā sharīka lahu wa-bidhālika umirtu wa-anā awwalu al-muslimīn.
Say, "My Salat, my worship rituals, my life and my death, are all devoted to God, the Lord of the Worlds. He has no partner. This is what I was commanded with, and I am the first of the Submitters."
(6:162-163)
Avoid Masjids That Promote Shirk
The Quran warns against masjids that promote practices contrary to the worship of God alone, including division, harm, or idol worship (shirk):
وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُواْ مَسۡجِدٗا ضِرَارٗا وَكُفۡرٗا وَتَفۡرِيقَۢا بَيۡنَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَإِرۡصَادٗا لِمَنۡ حَارَبَ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ مِن قَبۡلُۚ وَلَيَحۡلِفُنَّ إِنۡ أَرَدۡنَآ إِلَّا ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰۖ وَٱللَّهُ يَشۡهَدُ إِنَّهُمۡ لَكَٰذِبُونَ لَا تَقُمۡ فِيهِ أَبَدًاۖ لَمَسۡجِدٌ أُسِّسَ عَلَى ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ مِنۡ أَوَّلِ يَوۡمٍ أَحَقُّ أَن تَقُومَ فِيهِۚ فِيهِ رِجَالٞ يُحِبُّونَ أَن يَتَطَهَّرُواْۚ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُطَّهِّرِينَ
Wa-alladhīna ittakhaḏū masjidan ḍirāran wa-kufran wa-tafrīqan bayna al-muʾminīna wa-irsādan li-man ḥāraba Allāha wa-rasūlahu min qablu. Wa-layaḥlifunna in aradnā illā al-ḥusnā. Wa-Allāhu yashhadu innahum la-kādhibūn. Lā taqum fīhi abadā. La-masjidun ussisa ʿalā at-taqwā min awwali yawmin aḥaqqu an taqūma fīhi. Fīhi rijālun yuḥibbūna an yataṭahharū wa-Allāhu yuḥibbu al-muṭṭahhirīn.
There are those who use a masjid to cause harm, disbelief and division among the believers, as well as an outpost for those who fought God and His messenger before. They will swear: "We only meant to do good." And God bears witness that they are liars. Do not stand therein, ever. A masjid that is established on reverence from the first day is more worthy of you standing therein. In it are men who love to be purified. God loves those who purify themselves.
(9:107-108)
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Pray in a Masjid That Honors God Alone:
If you find a masjid that is free from shirk and dedicated to the worship of God alone, this is the ideal place to pray. -
Pray at Home If Necessary:
If no such masjid is available, you are permitted to pray at home or with a group of like-minded believers. -
Focus on God Alone:
Wherever you pray, dedicate your worship exclusively to God. Avoid distractions or influences that contradict the Quran.
Conclusion
Your intention and sincerity are what matter most in the worship of God. Whether in a masjid or at home, ensure your Salat is solely for God. Avoid places or practices that compromise this principle, as commanded in the Quran.