Star and crescent
Star and the crescent is also a representation of a mosque. Stars are symbols of direction and the star, which are five pointed represents five pillars of Islam. The moon is a foundation of light. Therefore the star and the crescent represent the mosque as a source of light and direction.
The notice board
A mosque may have a notice board because the fact that some mosque are converted houses, factories or a pubs. The notice board has times and dates of activities and times of prayers taking place in the mosque. This shows the mosque is open to the community and also shows how organised Muslims are.
Windows
Mosques have small windows so that people can’t gaze in or out, this is so that people inside don’t get distracted. This shows that the mosque is a place of deep meditation and devotion.
The Internal Features of a Mosque
The shoe racks
The shoe racks are placed inside the mosque so that people can take them off before entering the mosque, as a sign of respect to Allah, also because Muslims believe ’cleanliness is half your faith’.
The mihrab
The mihrab shows the direction of qibla (direction towards the kaabah in Mecca). This shows all Muslims face one way it is also a sign of unity amongst Muslims.
The minbar
The minbar is a plat form which the imams delivers the khutbah so that he can be seen and heard, and also sign of respect to the prophet (saw) and Abu Bakr (ra) and Usman (ra).
The prayer hall
The prayer hall is the mosque used by the men. It is a great open space showing Muslims need space to pray since they have to do a variety of actions.
The prayer mats
Some Muslims would use individual mats, but actual main hall will be carpeted so that it is comfortable to prey on. The prayer amt usually has an arch design.
The woman’s area
The woman’s area is a place where woman pray. This shows separation between men and women in Islam. It shows free mixing is something that is disliked by Allah. And also shows that Muslims think of woman as valuable precious and something to hide away.
The Wudu area
The Wudu area is where you go to do ablution is it also a part of hygiene and wholesomeness.
Calligraphy decorative patterns and mosaics
Calligraphy decorative patterns and mosaics are the only decoration of the mosque this means mosques don’t have any sorts of statues or pictures for the fear of idolization. The calligraphy is sentences taken from the Qur’an this show the importance of the Qur’an in a Muslims life and also shows significance of being knowledgeable for Muslims.
(ii) The role and the functions of the imam in a Sunni mosque
The Arabic word Imam means ‘in front of’. This describes the main purpose of the imam in a Sunni mosque. The imam is the man (all imams are male) who stand in front of the line of worshippers, leading them in the recital of set prayers, or salah. An imam has no special training, and he is not bound as a holy man. There are no priests or monks in Islam; all Muslims are regarded as equal in the sight of Allah. Basically, an imam is an educated man who is chosen by the congregation because he is regarded as a good Muslim and because of his knowledge of Islam and the Qur'an. Apart from leading the prayers, imams often take on other tasks, as the religious leaders of the local Muslim communities. They often act as the Khatib, the person who preaches the Friday sermon [the khutbah]. Arguably, the most opportune time to access the Muslim community, the khutbah has always occupied a pivotal role in informing the Muslim Ummah about her affairs and calling her to the appropriate actions. Allah (swt) has ordered that trade and all other activity are abandoned at the time of Salah al-Jumu'ah and that people assemble to hear the khutbah:
The Prophet (saw) said that, "…When the Imam comes out (i.e. starts delivering the khutbah); the angels present themselves to listen to the Khutbah." (Bukhari)
They will teach about Islam to people of all ages, but particularly to the children who need to learn to read the Qur'an in the original Arabic. Imams sometimes perform religious ceremonies, and they will give people religious advice. Some imams also visit Muslims who are in prison. In small mosques the imam may take on these religious responsibilities as well as another job, such as the caretaker of the mosque; in big mosques the imam is usually employed full time.
(iii) Role and functions of the mosque in the Muslim community
A mosque has many roles and functions in a Muslim community.
Mosque as a Place of worship The mosques are the most important centre in any Muslim community. A mosque should be built to promote piety and righteousness among the believers and should not be used to create division among the Muslims. The object of a mosque is to purify oneself spiritually. A mosque is a place of worship like other places of worship, primarily meant for the remembrance of God. Any mosque is a place dedicated to the worship of God;
The Qur’an mentions the people who are responsible for the maintenance of a mosque. It states: “A mosque, therefore, not only serves the purpose of offering prayers (Salah) and remembering of God (Dhikr), but also many other purposes.” (Bukhari)
Mosque as a meeting place:
The Prophet (saw) made great stress on visiting the mosque frequently. Abu Hurairah, a Companion of the Prophet, relates that the Prophet said:” For him who proceeds to the mosque morning or evening, Allah prepares entertainment in paradise every time he proceeds, morning of evening." (Bukhari & Muslim)
A mosque therefore becomes a meeting place for Muslims 5 times a day. The great each other and may discuss any matter that may affect or interest them, before or after the services. All Islamic Services, the five daily prayers, the Friday noon service, the festivals and the pilgrimage to the house of Allah are so organised as to ensure the co-operation of all sections of Muslim society. The mosques, being the crucial point of all this plays a great part in the general life of the town.
Mosque as a place of learning Today mosques continue to be used as schools where Muslim children are taught reading, writing and the recitation of the Qur’an. In large towns however separate school buildings are found either attached to the mosque or near the mosque. For older students colleges for the special study of religion, called Madrassas, are built along side the mosque, where the imam and other religious teacher impart religious instructions for full time students. These institutions often contain a large collection of religious books, for the use of students and the public.
Al Azhar University, which is a famous educational institution in the middle east even today, is attached to Al Azhar mosque in Cairo, Egypt, where students from far and wide follow the course in religion, and highly qualified teachers and scribes are appointed for the purpose.
Mosque as a place for social gathering Mosques are also used for social gatherings, like wedding ceremonies, funeral services, courts of law, and other religious ceremonies
(b) Hypothesis
“You do not need to go to the mosque to be a good Muslim”
I personally think that being a born Muslim; you would have acquired certain amount of knowledge from your parents and peers. This knowledge and practice would have been observed by you to have at least gained the basic understanding of being a good Muslim. Also more than likely as a young child, you would have been exposed to the Mosque environment which again would have provided some understanding of Islam hence you would be a good Muslim. In my opinion you would not have to go to the mosque to be a good Muslim. There are however ‘new’ converts sometimes know as ‘reverts’ who may have adapted Islam later in their lives which means they would have to acquire more knowledge from institutions like the Mosque. For new Muslims to be ‘good Muslims’ the mosque is an essential part of their lives to develop their knowledge and understanding of practices and customs from the elders and knowledgeable people.
Being a good Muslim is not a certificate one gains for a short period but a continuous process where one develops personal social and spiritual aspects. Therefore there is a need to be a constant contact with people of Islam and God. These people would commonly be found in the Mosque hence you are more likely to be a good Muslim if you visit the Mosque regularly and remember your lord.
The prophet Muhammad (saw) lived and carried out everyday activities in the Mosque demonstrating the importance. In the early days of Islam, Mosque was the centre and hub of the community.
It is also important to remember than Muslim practices do change according to needs but the principles do not change. In Europe for example, there is a desperate need to education and introduce Muslims to Islam once again as much is forgotten. Muslims in Europe have been receiving mixed messages from Western Media and so called Muslim leadership that knowing what is right or wrong is difficult to define. Mosque is the only place where debates amongst the Muslim community can take place. Being a good Muslim just doesn’t mean that you look after your own interests but the whole community need to be taken into consideration. You are only a good Muslim if you care for the Muslim cause and help to develop the image of Islam that is correct.
On the other hand whether in business or other worldly affairs, you would have the instincts to be a good Muslim because you understanding of Islamic principles hence you would practice these in your dealings even if you do not go to the Mosque. As long as you are pleasing God, you are being a good Muslim. Some people take this Hadith and apply it as an excuse for not going to the Mosque for prayer.
The prophet (saw) said:” The world has made mosque for me” (Bukhari)
It is not necessary to go to the mosque for prayer but an option. If you do go you will be rewarded but if you don’t you will not be punished. As for women the best place for them to pray is in their homes. This isn’t to say that women are banned form mosque but it is encouraged for them to pray at home. The prophet (saw) said: “The best place for woman is to pray in the home” (Bukhari)
In my own view whether you are a man or a women, regular contact with Mosque is essential for spiritual and personal development. This is the only place where one can obtain a balance of this world and the spiritual world. Islamic education, other worldly and political decisions can be acquired in gatherings at the Mosque. This is where one gets a sense of belonging and feels a part of community. These are important factors for being a good Muslims. I therefore disagree with the hypothesis that you do not have to go to the Mosque to be a good Muslim.
"He who makes his ablutions at home and then walks to one of the houses of Allah to discharge of obligation imposed on him by Allah, one step of his wipes out a sin and another step raises his status" (Muslim)
Also a superior Muslim is continually trying to please Allah and one way a good Muslim could do that is by attending the mosque. A good Muslim would attend the mosque for only one reason and that is earning himself reward, through, praying in jam at (congregational prayer-more rewarding), reading Qur’an, doing Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) etc devoting himself and submitting to Allah.
According to another saying, the Prophet is reported to have said: "The best part of a city in the eyes of Allah are its mosques"
This hadith shows the huge amount of reward of going to the mosque and also shows the amount of love prophet (saw) had for a mosque. On the day of recognition when people will be drenching in their own be sweat concerns and worries, the person who attended the mosque regularly will be under the shade of Allah’s (saw).
