MOSQUE FAQs...

What is a mosque?

A mosque is a place of worship used by Muslims. The English word "mosque" is derived from its Arabic equivalent, masjid, which means "place of prostration." It is in the mosque that Muslims perform their prayers, a part of which includes placing the forehead on the floor.

How is a mosque used?

Mosques play a vital role in the lives of Muslims in North America. The primary function of the mosque is to provide a place where Muslims may perform Islam's obligatory five daily prayers as a congregation. A mosque also provides sufficient space in which to hold prayers on Fridays, the Muslim day of communal prayer, and on the two Muslim holidays, called Eids, or "festivals."

Is a mosque a holy place?

A mosque is a place that is specifically dedicated as a place of prayer. However, there is nothing sacred about the building or the place itself. There is no equivalent of an altar in a mosque. A Muslim may pray on any clean surface. Muslims often pray in public places.

How big are mosques?

In the UK, mosques vary in size from tiny storefronts serving a handful of worshippers, to large Islamic centers that can accommodate thousands.

Do mosques welcome visitors?

Mosques in the UK welcome visitors. Tours can be arranged at most facilities. It is always best to call mosque administrators before arrival. They will want to make sure your visit is enjoyable.

What are the distinctive features of a mosque?

The musalla, or prayer hall, in each mosque is oriented in the direction of Mecca, toward which Muslims face during prayers. Prayer halls are open and uncluttered to accommodate lines of worshippers who stand and bow in unison. There are no pews or chairs. Members of the congregation sit on the floor. Because Muslim men and women form separate lines when they stand in prayers, some mosques will have a balcony reserved for the use of women. Other mosques will accommodate men and women in the same musalla, or they may have two separate areas for men and women.

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The importance of the Masjid

The masjid/mosque is a place for worship, education, and a refuge from the cares of the world. Best described by Prophet Muhammed , namely that the mosque should be a garden of paradise. According to a hadith, the Prophet advised the building of mosques in a simple style, so that there should be no dissipation or dilution of the true religious and spiritual atmosphere.

Besides the five daily obligatory prayers, there is the weekly Friday prayer which is compulsary and is offered in a Mosque. In practice and content it is like any other prayer, but as a large number of people gather a khutbah, giving religious guidance, is also preached by the Imam before the prayers begin. In this, he reminds worshippers of their accountability to God, the characteristics of a Muslim, and conduct in society. In this way, the Friday sermon refreshes the memory on religious commitments.

Etiquettes in the masjid

Throughout the history of Islam, the mosque has always played an important social role. It has been a place of prayer, a centre of political and social activities, an educational institution, and the focal point of communal life. In Muslim countries, the mosque serves various functions depending on the political and social environment.

The mosque combines religious and social activities that encourage active faith and strong community life. Because Islam preaches unity of the spiritual and the worldly aspects of life, community gatherings and mosque-related activities include both social and spiritual elements. Friday-noon prayer, at the mosque, is the most important socio-religious activity of the community.

Mosque attendance contributes to a Muslim's sense of religious identity. Although each member brings an entire lifetime of cultural experience into the mosque, separate past experiences seem to fuse as individuals join together on the basis of their common beliefs. Commitment to religious beliefs is one of the strongest factors influencing the preservation of Islamic Identity.

In spite of the spiritual and social aspects of the Mosque, the Mosque still remains a place of sanctity. Cleanliness in all respects is paramount; purity of mind, body, thoughts and actions. Muslims are expected to be in a state of purity (body, mind, and soul), when he or she visits the mosque. In particular, Muslims perform ablution (washing of hands, face, arms, and feet) before performing prayer.

Muslims prostrate in their prayer, and thus the mosque must be clean. Mosques in the UK are carpeted and shoes are removed upon entering. Shouting or raising one's voice unnecessarily, and using improper or foul language are abhorred.

Modesty in dress is expected for both men and women. Visitors are welcome at mosques; however, visitors who are not familiar with Muslim religious practices should contact the administration of one of the local mosques for information and to arrange visits.

 

The excellence of the Masjid

The earth as a Masjid

Allah the Exalted has conferred a special blessing upon this ummah - that is, the whole earth has been declared a mosque for it. Therefore, when the time for prayer comes, a Muslim may pray wherever he may be. Abu Dharr asked the Prophet , "What was the first mosque on the earth?" He said: "The Masjid al-Haram [in Makkah]." Abu Dharr asked: "which is the next oldest mosque?" The Prophet sallallahu alehi wassalam said: "The al-Aqsa Mosque." Abu Dharr asked: "How much time was there between [the building of the two]." The Prophet sallallahu alehi wasallam replied: "Forty years." Then, he said: "Wherever you may be, at the time of salah, you may pray for it [the earth] is all a mosque." This is related by the group.

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FEATURES OF A MOSQUE...

MINBAR

Platform in a mosque, placed next to the mihrab. The minbar is used with the khutba, the Friday sermon, and the khatib (the person performing the Friday sermon) ascends it.

MIHRAB

At the midpoint of the wall facing Qibla is a niche or recess that constitutes the central and sometimes most decorated feature of any mosque, known as the mihrab. The mihrab is not considered to be a sacred element of the mosque. Rather, it prescribes the the sacred direction for prayer to Makkah. When in prayer, Muslims will form row upon row, each parallel to, and facing the qibla wall.

CLASSROOM

Room where Students study.

QIBLA

Within the prayer hall, one wall must face the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, the direction in which Muslims should face in order to perform salat (called Qibla). This wall is the direction of the Qibla.

ABLUTION AREA

Area where Muslims perform their wudu (ablution) before commencing salat (prayer). Salat is not accepted without wudu.

MINARET

Tall tower, near to, or built into, a mosque, where the Muadhin (person who calls people to prayer) goes up to stand in a high place for everyone to be able to hear when the adhan (call to prayer) is being called. The earliest mosques were built without minarets, and the action of adhan could be performed in many other locations.

SAJADAH/MUSALLA

Clean (commonly carpeted) area within a mosque where Muslims pray in congregation.

IMAM'S QUARTERS

The Imam of a Mosque traditionally lives in a purposely built home adjacent or close to the mosque. Thus, known as the Imam's Quarters.