Welcome To ICMC

The Islamic Circle of Mercer County in Lawrenceville, is a non-profit religious/social organization that was initiated and established in 1999/1420. The current property and building were acquired and first time congregational (Maghreb) prayer was conducted in October 2000 /Rajab 1421 Hijra.

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In the Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful

The Islamic Circle of Mercer County (ICMC)
336 Lawrence Station Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

Basic Etiquette & Manners in the Masjid (Adhab)
Islam is a way of life that has instructed us clearly with proper forms of conduct, cleanliness, neatness, kindness, and courtesy. Please be considerate when coming to the Masjid: respect others, make sure you park properly, keep your footwear in the racks, wear clean clothes, do not raise your voice inside the Masjid and do not disturb others.

Here is a letter sent out by a concerned member:
First, the total disregard for leaving ones footwear, anywhere and everywhere, blocking entrances, some in awful states of withering and odor, is a blatant feature that we never miss outside any Muslim place or worship. Everyone wants his footwear to be located on the doorstep of the Masjid so that he does not have to soil his feet or socks in order to retrieve them if placed discreetly, some distance away.

Dress codes when attending prayers at a Masjid are also seen to be very callous and untidy. One does not have to be dressed in a three piece suit as a requirement for prayer but whatever garb one has put on must certainly be CLEAN, NEAT, and properly attired.

Another important issue is what we wear for the prayer. Many wear T-shirts with pictures and letters in the front and in the back of the shirt. This attracts attention of other fellow worshippers, who may lose concentration of the prayer.

The place of ablution (Wudhu) is another hot spot where water is strewn around everywhere without any consideration for the tidiness of the place. Even the process of ablution involves all kinds of strange sounds and offensive coughs and gargles which is not really required in a place of worship. One does not have to do a song and dance to make Wudhu. Do we really need to make sounds when we wash ourselves, be it throat, mouth, nostrils or feet?

Then there are those who arrive late at the Masjid for Jummah prayer but make every attempt to trample and run over others in their bid to get to the front row. The rule of the Masjid is that each person entering must take his seat starting from behind the Imams position and then move on to the right first before filling up the left side of the row, row by row, starting from the front most row. Yet, we see people walking in early and seated right at the back so that they may lean against the wall. No doubt the front row has its merits but one must qualify to achieve them in a righteous, courteous and disciplined manner. Jumping over people’s heads and shoulders, kicking them in the process, will certainly disqualify all the multiples one may hope to benefit from praying in the front row.

Another unacceptable and prohibited act that we see very often at Friday prayers, is people chattering away at the back of the Masjid as if they are participating in some social gathering. The sermon is meant to be listened to and acted upon. One may lose the benefit of coming for the Jummah prayer.

Once the Iqama is called and prayer is about to commence the congregation should be considerate to move forwards as much as possible and fill up the ranks without leaving any gaps in conformity to the Sunnah of the Prophet (sal). This also facilitates the people at the back who may, sometimes, end up praying on the steps, or parking lots or on the grass, on account of insufficient space.

Managing the human and car traffic while entering and leaving the Masjid premises is also an act that needs to be done in a disciplined and orderly fashion. Many Masaajid have limited parking spaces, and one should be considerate when parking. We should make sure we park closely enough to accommodate more cars; We should try not to double park, unless a parking attendant directs the traffic. If we come late, and parked near the entrance or block someone, we should make it a point to leave early to remove the car immediately after the prayer. For any emergency, if someone has to leave early, it will be impossible. The end result is chaotic.

Islam is a way of life that has instructed us clearly with proper forms of conduct, cleanliness, neatness, kindness, and courtesy. Do we really believe that all our acts of Ibadat will be accepted by the Almighty when we fail so miserably in managing our basics?

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