Masjid As-Sabiqun has become a pillar in the city of Chester, PA, servicing the needs of the citizens of Chester, PA. The masjid has evolved from the early inception of efforts in the 1950’s following the teachings of Elijah Muhammad, whom was the leader of the then named “Nation of Islam”. In 1953 and 1954 the first temple for the Nation of Islam was established in Chester, becoming known as, Temple number 12-G. Philadelphia, PA was known as Temple number 12. Chester was a satellite site of the headquarters which was Temple number 12 in Philadelphia, PA. During the decades of the 1950’s, 60’s until 1975 much effort was given toward uplifting the indigenous from the decadence impounded upon them by the outcomes of enslavement. That movement introduced the community at-large to the language of Islam (Allah, Muslim, Muhammad, salaams, etc. and its’ book, the Holy Quran) and Adab (good manners and clean living (no intoxicants, gambling nor smoking) and promoted community development based in everyone becoming motivated to “Do For Self”.
In 1975 this temple was introduced to the Quran and Sunnah in accordance with Allah and His Messenger (Orthodox Islam) by Imam Warith Din Muhammad and became known as Muhammad’s Mosque of Chester. After a decade of practicing Deen (our way of life), according to the Quran and Sunnah, the community was instructed to rename the Mosque’s, thus, was birthed the masjid name Masjid As-Sabiqun.
In 1994 the community purchased a firehouse property where it relocated to; from then to the present-day . The firehouse has been converted into an operating masjid open 24hrs a day everyday for worship. The masjid houses the efforts of members from the early days of the Nation of Islam and founding members of Masjid Al-Fajr (first masjid in Chester established upon the Quran and Sunnah), whom, merged with Masjid As-Sabiqun to operate as one community working together to influence the citizenry to the benefits of Al-Islam.
Today the masjid membership is made up of muslims from many countries from around the world. It’s a masjid representing the international face of Al-Islam in America. The masjid is open for all five prayers. It also has a school (Institute of Islamic Studies), which educates from Nursery to twelfth grade for boys and girls. There is also a developing Hifz program. It is our prayer that Allah grant many young men and women the entrusted gift of memorization of the Quran through this program.