“Verily, I am God; there is no God but I; therefore serve me, and perform the prayer of my remembrance.”
(Qur'an 20:14)
Originally a muezzin would go to the balcony of the minaret and call other people to prayer but in nowadays-modern society; loudspeakers and recordings are tending to be used.
Sometimes a moon shaped crescent or a star and crescent are seen on a mosque, this five-pointed star and crescent is a symbol of Islam, depicted on the flags and stamps of many Muslim countries.
The five-pointed star symbolises the five pillars of Islam i.e. the five basic duties of Islam. The moon and stars are signs of the greatness of the creator Allah (s.w.t).
The dome is an important external feature of the mosque building especially in hot urban countries because it allows the air to circulate more fluently, as we know Islam comes from the Middle East that’s where tends to be very hot. The Dome is built over the prayer hall the reason behind this is because in the prayer hall when the imam is doing the sermon etc it helps to amplify the human voice.
The mosque itself has three uses for example a place of worship, an Islamic school or college, and a community centre its facilities must suit all these needs.
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The prayer hall is the most important part of a mosque
As you know a mosque is a ‘place of prostration’ the prayer is exactly used for this it is simply a large space for men to gather for their prayer. In hot countries outside there might just be a courtyard to pray instead of a prayer hall. The reason why there are no seats inside is because room is needed to go through the prayer movements; seats are only used for people who are disable to one side. The Namaz (prayer) is compulsory for Muslims.
It is stated in the holy Qur'an:
“O ye who believe! When the call for the prayer is heard for the prayer o the day of congretion, haste unto remembrance of Allah (s.w.t) and leave your trading, that is better for you if you did but know”
(Qur'an 62:9)
The prayer is also used for teaching and funeral services. In the prayer hall of the mosque Muslims will use individual prayer mats, but the hall will be carpeted anyway, so that it is comfortable to walk on bare feet, and sit on and kneel on. The prayer mat usually has an arch design on it so the mat can be laid down in the correct direction for prayer, facing towards the ka’ba in makkah, the holy city of Islam. This large cube shaped building stands in the centre of the sacred mosque in makkah. The Qur'an states that the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) worshipped here, sometimes mosques have special carpeting that has been designed to look like lots of individual prayer mats; and the carpet is laid so that the arches point towards the ka’ba.
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This direction is called the Qiblah.
The Mimbar is the only piece of furniture that is required in a mosque this is set of at least three steps to raise the imam who preaches the Friday midday sermon, so that he can be seen and heard. In large mosques the Mimbar may be very high with a small platform on top.
Muslims will know that the Qiblah as all mosques have a Mihrab, which is an alcove in the wall. If Muslims face it when they pray, they will be facing in the direction of the ka’ba. It also serves the useful purpose of amplifying the voice of the imam who leads the prayers, facing in the correct direction the ka’ba, with his back to the rest of the worshippers.
Decoration
Mosques are usually decorated with intricate patterns; others are plain. In either case there will be NO PICTURES OR STATUES, because of the risk of idolatry and also Allah (s.w.t) forbids this. Islam teaches that Allah (s.w.t) is to great and no scenery or portrait should be made. Decorations on the walls of the mosques often take the form of beautiful writing calligraphy of passages from the holy Qur’an, which is the Islamic holy book which Muslims to be Allah (s.w.t)’s words