The Earth as a Mosque and Source of Purity in the Perspective of Ma‘ani al-Hadith

Abstract

This article examines the meaning of the Prophet Muhammad’s hadith stating that the earth has been made a place of worship and a means of purification, using the ma‘ani al-Hadits approach. The main problem addressed in this study is the tendency to interpret the hadith primarily in a juridical-normative manner, while its semantic depth and contemporary relevance, particularly in social and ecological contexts, remain underexplored. This research employs a qualitative library-based method by analyzing primary sources such as hadith collections and classical commentaries, as well as secondary sources from contemporary Islamic scholars. The findings reveal that the terms masjidan and thahuran signify not only physical spaces for prayer and purification but also convey theological messages regarding the universality of worship, human equality, and the sanctity of the earth as a divine trust. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that this hadith is highly relevant to modern ecological awareness, emphasizing environmental preservation as an integral part of religious devotion and moral responsibility. Therefore, the ma‘ani al-Hadits approach broadens the interpretation of the hadith from a purely legal framework toward a more holistic spiritual, social, and ecologicunderstanding.