it is common for a smaller mosque to serve as a hostel for muslims on "haj" (pilgrimage to mecca). sometimes mosques are used for refugees, or as temporary homes for homeless people. obligations to neighbours in islam are very strict, and specific. in the qur'an mohammed said that a person who helps others in the hour of need, and who helps the oppressed; that person god will help on the day of travail (agony). there are other commands, such as helping the poor and being nice to people. an important part of being muslim, or just being part of the mosque, is taking care of people who need help. a mosque is a social, as well as a religious, group.