Islam beliefs and practices author : Yasmin Malik mosque

Importance of Mosque in Islam The Prophet (sallah allahu alaihi wasalm) said, “Wherever you may be, at the time of Salah, you may pray for it [the earth] is all a mosque.” (Sunnan Abu Daud) The whole earth is a mosque , Muslims can pray wherever they are when the time of the prayers comes

Ka'bah is the First House of Allah on the Earth

The first mosque the Prophet (p.b.u.h) built was at Quba .

Virtues of Masjid Quba Allah says “There is a mosque whose foundation was laid from the first day on piety; it is more worthy of your standing forth (for prayer) therein.” ( Tauba 9:108) The Prophet said, "Whoever makes ablutions at home and then goes and prays in the Mosque of Quba, he will have a reward like that of an ‘Umrah.” (Ahmad.)

Mosque of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) in Madinah It was made of unbaked bricks, the pillars were made of trunks of date trees the roof was made of date leaves.

Role of the Mosque Of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) Place of worship. Centre of learning. Centre for celebration and social gatherings. Zakat and Charity distribution center Parliament house, where Important military and political decisions were taken . Foreign office : delegations were received in the mosque.

Place of entertainment on special occasions. The Messenger of Allah (p Place of entertainment on special occasions. The Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h) encouraged that marriage be contracted and celebrated in the mosque. Aisha (ra) watched negroes playing spears in the Mosque while the Prophet(pbuh) was covering her with his sheet.

FUNCTION OF MOSQUE (In Houses that Allah has allowed to be exalted and that His name will be remembered therein. Therein, do offer praise to Him, at morning and evening, men whom neither merchandise nor sale beguiles them from the remembrance of Allah and constancy in prayer and paying to the poor their due, men who fear the day on which hearts and eyeballs will be overturned.)(An-Nur 24:36-37)

Famous Mosques of the World Faisal Mosque, Islamabad Cordoba Mosque Blue Mosque, Istanbul Cordoba Mosque, Spain Al-Azhar Mosque, Cairo

The Sacred Mosque. Makkah The Mosque of the Prophet (p.b.u.h). Al-Aqsa Mosque of Jerusalem. The Prophet said, “Do not set out on a journey except for three Mosques, i.e. Al-Masjid-Al-Haram, the Mosque of Allah’s Apostle, and the Mosque of Al-Aqsa (Mosque of Jerusalem).” ( Bukhari)

Anas Ibn Malik (ra) relates that the Prophet (saw) said, ” The prayer of a person in his house is a single prayer; his prayer in the Masjid of his people has the reward of 27 prayers; his prayer in the Masjid in which the Friday prayer is observed has the reward of 500; his prayer in Masjid Al-Aqsa (i.e. Al-Aqsa Sanctuary) has a reward of 5,000 prayers; his prayer in my Masjid (the Prophet’s Masjid in Madinah) has a reward of 50,000 prayers, and the prayer in the Sacred Masjid (Ka’bah) has the reward of 100,000 prayers”. (Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)

THE ROLE OF THE MOSQUE IN THE LIVES OF THE MUSLIMS Place of worship. During Ramadan , Taraweeh and itikaf are held. Centre of education. A place of socialization . Community centre. A place of celebrations. A place of meeting. A place of dawah. .

Etiquettes to be observed in a Mosque Walk to mosque with calm and dignity Enter with right foot . Recite اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ, “O Allah! Open for me the door of Your Mercy” on entering mosque. Perform two Rakk’ahs of Tahiya-tul-Masjid. walk to mosque with calm and dignity Enter with right foot . Recite اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ, “O Allah! Open for me the door of Your Mercy” on entering mosque. Perform two Rakk’ahs of Tahiya-tul-Masjid.

O Allah! Verily I beg You of Your abundance Take off shoes before entering mosque. Do not make noise. Do not spit. Keep mosques clean. Leave with left feet . And say, O Allah! Verily I beg You of Your abundance

Features of Mosques Prayer hall. It is either covered by a roof supported by many columns or covered by a large dome. It is often decorated with religious calligraphy and is usually free from furniture. Some mosques have an open courtyard complementing the prayer hall to accommodate more people. Features of Mosques

wazir khan mosque. Lahore Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque of Isfahan

The minaret is a tall tower, commonly located in a corner of the mosque. it is used for call to prayer. The mihrab is a niche on the wall that indicates the direction towards Mecca. The minbar is an elevated platform inside the prayer room, where the imam delivers sermon. It consists of the actual platform and a ladder to access it. Arches are constructive elements often found in mosques. They can be used for structural support and also for decoration.

Prohibited acts In mosque Buying and selling. Recitation of poetry. Making announcements of lost items . Execution of murder. Retaliation.