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16 Ḳubâ’, he led them in prayer in it. That is why the people of Ḳubâ’ say that it is the one meant by Allah when he says "There is a mosque founded from its first day in piety. More worthy that thou enter therein." Others report that the "mosque founded in piety" is that of the Prophet [in al-Madînah].

Abu-‘Âmir ar-Râhib. ‘Affân ibn-Muslim aṣ-Ṣaffâr from ‘Urwah who gave the following explanation to the text: "There are some who have built a mosque for mischief and for infidelity, and to disunite the 'Believers,' and in expectation of him who, in time past, warred against Allah and his Messenger":—The mosque of Ḳubâ’ was built by Sa‘d ibn-Khaithamah and its site was owned by Labbah where she used to tie up her donkey. The dissenters therefore said: "Should we pray on the spot where Labbah used to tie up her donkey? Never. Rather shall we select for ourselves some other place for prayer until abu-‘Âmir comes and leads our service." Now, abu-Âmir had fled from the face of Allah and his Prophet to Makkah and thence to Syria where he was converted to Christianity. Hence the text revealed by Allah: "There are some who have built a mosque for mischief and for infidelity and to disunite the 'Believers,' and in expectation of him who, in time past, warred against Allah and his Messenger"—referring to abu-‘Âmir.

Rauḥ ibn-‘Abd-al-Mu’min al-Maḳri from Sa‘îd ibn-Jubair:—Banu-‘Amr ibn-‘Auf erected a mosque in which the