A Place of Worship: The Mosque

In this essay, I will be discussing the role and function as well as the main features of the mosque in the Muslim community.

The word mosque is defined as a ‘Muslim place of worship’. It is very important in Islam because it is the place where Muslims humbly face their lord, prostrate to him and ask from him.

Muslims gather in mosques to pray their 5 times daily prayers in congregation. This is a symbolism of Muslim unity and brotherhood. It also symbolises equality as every person is the same, no one is superior to another.

In the prophet’s time, the Masjid was the place most visited by the prophet and his companions.

The Prophet (S.A.W) said:

"I have been granted five things which were not granted to any one before me: and for me the earth has been made a mosque and a means of purification; therefore, if prayer overtakes any person of my community, he should say his prayers (wherever he is)...."

This Hadith states that wherever we are, when the time of Salah approaches, we should pray.

In another Hadith, the Prophet (S.A.W) said, “Of all places on earth, Mosques are dearest to Allah”. This Hadith symbolises the importance of the Masjid, as it is the house of Allah, it is where we are rewarded the most for praying.

The mosque has a few main features which allow Muslims to recognise a Masjid. Most Masjids have a Minaret and a Dome as well as a prayer room. The Mosque is usually decorated with inscriptions of the Quran and geometric designs.

The importance of the Masjid is signified because Masjid al Haram was the first Mosque established on earth. This is evidence of how important the Mosque is in the Muslim community.

1ai) Describe the main features of a specific Mosque.

The Masjid I will be discussing ...

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... Masjid for the sake of Allah, Allah will build a dwelling in heaven for him”. This Hadith emphasises on the fact that even building a Mosque carries a huge reward.

The most important thing is that even when we are not in the Mosque, our heart should always be attached to the Mosque, because the Prophet (S.A.W) said “Actions are according to intentions”. If our intentions are sincere, we will be rewarded for our actions. If we go to the Masjid to show people how pious we are, our Namaz will not be accepted and instead of receiving the reward we should, our deeds will be recorded as bad because of our intentions.

Works Cited

Figure 1: http://www.rabetah.com/apps/photos/photo/next?photoid=5401500

2. http://islam1.org/iar/imam/archives/1999/10/08/the_role_of_the_masjid.php

All Hadith’s taken from – ‘prayer according to the sunnah’, prof. Zulfiqar muhammed.