Tafseer Ibn Kathir of AT TAUBAH [17]

17. It is not for the Mushrikin, to maintain the Masjids of Allah, while they witness against themselves of disbelief. The works of such are in vain and in Fire shall they abide. 18. The Masjids of Allah shall be maintained only by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day; perform the Salah, and give Zakah and fear none but Allah. It is they who are on true guidance. Allah says that it is not fitting that those who associate others with Allah in worship should maintain the Masjids of Allah that were built in His Name alone without partners. Those who read the Ayah, ”Masjid Allah'', said that it refers to Al-Masjid Al-Haram, the most honored Masjid on the earth, which was built, from the first day, for the purpose of worshipping Allah alone without partners. It was built by Khalil Ar-Rahman (the Prophet Ibrahim) peace be upon him. The idolators do this while they themselves testify to their disbelief with their statements and actions. As-Suddi said, ”If you ask a Christian, `What is your religion', He will tell you he is a Christian. If you ask a Jew about his religion, he will say he is a Jew, and the same for a Sabi' and a Mushrik!'''

(The works of such are in vain), because of their Shirk,

(and in Fire shall they abide.) Allah said in another Ayah,

(And why should not Allah punish them while they hinder (men) from Al-Masjid Al-Haram, and they are not its guardians None can be its guardians except those with Taqwa, but most of them know not.)ï´¿8:34ï´¾. Allah said,

(The Masjids of Allah shall be maintained only by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day.) Therefore, Allah testifies to the faith of those who maintain the Masjids. `Abdur-Razzaq narrated that `Amr bin Maymun Al-Awdi said, ”I met the Companions of the Prophet and they were saying, `The Masjids are the Houses of Allah on the earth. It is a promise from Allah that He is generous to those who visit Him in the Masjids.,'' Allah said next,

(perform the Salah), one of the major acts of worship practiced by the body,

(and give the Zakah), which is the best act that benefits other people,

(and fear none but Allah), they fear only Allah, the Exalted, and none else,

(It is they who are on true guidance.) `Ali bin Abi Talhah said that Ibn `Abbas said about Allah's statement,

(The Masjids of Allah shall be maintained only by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day;) ”He who singles out Allah (in worship), has faith in the Last Day.'' ﴿And he said﴾; ”He who believes in what Allah has revealed,

(perform the Salah), establishes the five daily prayers,

(and fear none but Allah.), worships Allah alone,

(it may be they who are on true guidance.) Allah says, `It is they who are the successful ones in truth.' Similarly, Allah said to His Prophet ,

(It may be that your Lord will raise you to Maqam Mahmud)ï´¿17:79ï´¾. Allah says here, `Your Lord (O Muhammad) shall grant you a station of praise, that is, the intercession (on the Day of Resurrection).' Every `might' in the Qur'an means `shall'.''