The first ever mosque, called ‘Masjid Al-Aqsa’ was built in Jerusalem – Palestine in 705 AD. As it was the place at which Muhammad performed the first commanded prayer, it then became the qibla (direction which Muslims face to pray) that Muslims faced during prayer and continued to be so for sixteen or seventeen months. After a revelation recorded in the Quran, the qibla was then turned towards Mecca – Saudi Arabia, where it remains today.
The Qibla, eventhough it may not seem so, plays a great role in the act of praying, as it has many aspects of great importance and is highly significant in terms stregthening brotherhood, unity and equality. When praying, Muslims from every region of the world face the same direction, towards Mecca. The concept of each and every Muslim facing one direction and bowing to one god adds significance to the gesture of praying and emphasises equality, brotherhood and unity within the muslim world; particularly in salat jama’ah (congregational prayers – which mostly take place in mosques) where all muslims stand shoulder to shoulder creating straight rows in the direction of the Qibla.
‘We have seen the turning of thy face to heavan (for guidance, O Muhammed). And now verily we shall make thee turn (in prayer) toward a qibla which is clear to thee. So turn thy face towards the Invioble Place of Worship, and ye (O Muslims), wheresoever ye may be, turn your faces (when ye pray) toward it.’
(Qur’an 2:144)
For this project, I have chosen to describe the main features of The Grand Ummayad Mosque in Damascus – Syria. The Grand Ummayad Mosque, which was initially a Church, was built in the 8th century 709-15 AC. The mosque holds a shrine which is said to contain the head of John the Baptist (Prophet Yahya), honoured as a prophet by both Christians and Muslims.
St John’s Shrine inside the mosque
The plan of the mosque is formed by a 97m x 156m rectangle; the rectangle is surrounded by the exterior walls which have four defense towers built at each corner, but only the two southern ones remain today. These towers were used as foundations to erect the eastern and western minarets.
A Minaret is a tall tower, where the call for payer (Athan) is made from the top five times a day in order for the call to ring over the roofs of other buildings. The Athan is like an alarm clock to remind people when it is time to pray, and to ensure that they pray on time.
Ibn Mas’ud reported: I asked the messenger of Allah (pbuh) “Which deed is the most desirable to Allah?” He replied: “To offer the obligatory prayer in time”
(Selection from Hadith, No.27 p17)
Originally the Athan was made by a ‘Muezzin’ who would climb to the top of the tower to call for prayer, however nowadays loudspeakers and recorders are used.
‘O ye who believe! When the call is heard for the prayer of the day of congregation, haste unto remembrance of Allah and leave your trading. This is better for you if ye did but know’
(Qur’an 62;9)
South-west minaret
As you can see, on the peak of the Minaret there is a moon-shaped crescent, which is also seen on the peak of the main dome in the Great Mosque. The Crescent represents a new moon for the beginning of each new month in Islam, because Islam is based on the lunar calendar and Muslims depend on the sighting of a moon-shaped crescent to determine a new month. In some mosques a five-pointed star and crescent can be seen on the tip of the minarets or domes. The five pointed star is a well known symbol of Islam; which symbolizes the Five Pillars of Islam.
One of the most striking features of The Great Mosque is the dome; the main octagonal dome, the Nisr Dome (Dome of the Eagle) is 36m high and is situated over the mosque’s interior space. It is an important characteristic of the mosque as it allows air circulation; particularly in a hot country like Syria which is in the Middle East, where Islam was established, and where the climate is very hot. Furthermore, because the dome is built over the main prayer hall it allows the voice of the speaker to amplify.
Inside The Grand Umayyad Mosque there are many features of a typical mosque. The most important part of the mosque is the prayer hall; the prayer hall is beautifully decorated with intricate patterns and textual inscriptions which declare religious verses, dates and dedications to various patrons of the mosque.
The Mihrab, which is an alcove or niche in the wall in the direction of the qibla, is an indication for Muslims to know where to face when they wish to pray in the mosque. It is also where the Imam stands to lead the prayers and thus is useful to amplify his voice. The mihrab in The Grand Umayyad Mosque is decorated with bands of gold, marble ornamentation and verses from the Holy Qura’an.
The mihrab in The Umayyad Mosque
The mimbar, a seat with a set of at least three steps, is one of the only pieces of furniture to be seen in the prayer hall of The Grand Umayyad Mosque, and many other mosques. It is designed for the Imam to sit on and raise him so that he can be seen and heard by all when he makes speeches and sermons. The mimbar is usually made out of wood and is beautifully designed and carved with calligraphy.
(ii) Analyse and explain the role and function of the imam in a Sunni mosque.
An Imam, meaning ‘in the front’ in Arabic, is an important figure in the mosque. He must be a very knowledgeable, faithful and wise person. The Imam is chosen by other Muslims in the congregation because he is regarded as a respectable individual. The imam is an educated person who has a very good understanding of the Quran and about Islam as a whole. Being an imam is not always a full time job and they are not always paid.
“And the believers-men and women- are friends of one another, they command for the right and forbid the wrong, establish Salah and pay Zakah and obey Allah and His messenger.”
(Surah 9: Ayah 71)
The imam is there to lead the everyday prayers; he also leads the Friday prayers and recites the Friday speech.
Apart from leading the prayers, the imam takes on other tasks, as the religious leader of the local Muslim community. He is there for religious guidance and counseling for anyone who has personal problems and difficulties. The imam can also sort out marriage contracts, divorces and other such domestic issues. Some delegated imams visit prison inmates to provide instruction in Islam and perform rehabilitation work; in addition to this, Imams also visit patients in hospital so that they can recite Qur’an for the sick and provide moral support for the family.
(iii) Analyse and explain the role and function of the mosque in the Muslim community
The mosque is seen as the heart of the Muslim community. It is a place where equality and brotherhood is taught. During prayers all Muslims who are rich and poor, black or white, young or old stand united side by side praying to one God. So therefore the mosque is a place where Islamic teachings of brotherhood and equality are put into practice. Friday prayer is held in mosques on Fridays, and on the days of Eid, the Masjid is a place of festivity where the Eid prayers are performed.
Muslim Masjids, are not only for the purpose of worship alone but also serve as the centre for all social, cultural, political and various activities. It is the principal centre and the fundamental structure of the Muslim community, where it provides regular activities for the Muslim society.
The mosque is used as a school where people learn about the teachings of Islam; some mosques also hold Islamic Saturday schools for the younger generation and larger mosques have schools and libraries attached to them. Activities such as marriage contracts, seminars and lectures can be held at mosques. There are also mosques which run funeral services and have mortuaries, where the dead are brought in and prepared for burial. New members in the community are often received in the local mosque so that they can unite and settle into the society.
(b) ‘You do not need to go to a mosque to be a good Muslim’. Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view. Your answer should refer to Muslim teaching.
Muslims believe that to be a good Muslim one must efficiently abide by the five pillars of Islam which are: To believe in one God – Allah and his Messenger – prophet Muhammad (pbuh), to perform Salah five times a day, to fast the holy the holy month of Ramadhan, to pay Zakah (charity) and to perform Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah). As long as these aspects are effectively fulfilled a person is considered a good Muslim.
Some people prefer to perform salah at home; because in western countries not all mosques are easily accessible while for some it is difficult to attend the mosque on a regular basis and pray there frequently because they are committed to their long haul jobs.
‘Say part of your prayers at home so your houses do not become graves.’
(Hadith – Prophet Muhammad pbuh)
Some Muslims also believe that salah can be offered anywhere and can be performed despite where one may be whether in a mosque or in the street because Allah is All-knowing and All-seeing.
"The whole earth has been made a place of prostration for Me"
(The Holy Qura’an 21:50)
Since Allah is Merciful and Islam is an adaptive religion, Friday Prayers (salat jum’ua) has not been made compulsory for women to perform; even though it is compulsory for men to carry out the prayer. This is because women in general may have household duties such as cleaning and cooking and are obliged to care for their children.
“Do not prevent your women from going to the mosque, even though their houses are better for them”
(Hadith - Prophet Muhammad pbuh)
However, some Muslims believe that attending and praying in a mosque plays a significant role in a Muslim’s life. Offering prayers in congregation was the practice of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his Sahabah’s (companions) as it creates brotherhood and love amongst each other and unites Muslims with one another. The Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) said:
“You will not be believers until you have faith and you will not have faith until you love one another”.
Attending one’s local mosque frequently will enable the Muslim community to expand and become a more diverse one; this will also strengthen brotherhood and unity between Muslim brothers and sisters. Furthermore, one will not only have additional rewards for performing prayers in a mosque but will also be rewarded for simply traveling to the mosque.
Abu Hurairah reports that the Prophet (SAW) said:
"If anyone goes back and forth to the mosque [to attend the prayers], Allah will prepare for him a feast in paradise as often as he goes back and forth."
(Related by Ahmad, Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
To conclude, Islam does not condemn anyone who fails to visit the mosque, even though it is highly encouraged and rewarded. A person can still be a good Muslim without going to the mosque because one reflects his righteousness in his actions and deeds.
