Within the mosque there are four features, first of all there is a Minbar which is a stand on platform where the imam delivers his sermon or Khutbah usually at Salat-Ul-Jummah (Friday prayers). Frequently there are three steps where he stands halfway up as a sign of humility before Allah.
Another significant feature contained by the mosque is that there is a Mihrab and Qiblah. The Mihrab is like an alcove indicating that it is the wall the Qiblah in direction of the Kabah in Makkah. Most Muslims more often than not have some Arabic on their walls at home to know which way direction the qiblah is.
There are no signs and pictures as well as statues surrounded in every mosque mainly due to form the beginning of Islam, it is against idolatry. Instead of these there are decorative patterns and mosaic tiles and precious stones.
Finally another most important part of the mosque is the washing area as it is the ideal place where men and woman wash and perform ablution before prayer. It consists on a row of taps with stools so people can wash their feet along with special toilets for cleansing the inside body. Some mosques do have a room in the washing area where they clean the dead before a funeral.
Aii) Analyse and explain the role and function of the imam in a Sunni Mosque
Within a Sunni Ummah there is an imam who leads the prayers. The word imam means ‘at the front’. This particular person is chosen according to their knowledge on Islam along with if they are a good Muslim. The imam is not frequently paid for performing the role, but tends to earn a living in his spare time, although he does get paid a fund from Muslims for being the caretaker of Allah’s home.
The leaders day begins relatively early in the morning round about 3:00am at Morning Prayer. Afterwards he will recite the Quran then take a long rest before the day of work. A majority of his day sis spent on giving tours around the mosque to school children together with worshipping Allah continuously. Every now and then the Sunni imam may reply to letters sent by people about certain aspects of Islam.
During the afternoon period he the imam teaches young students the quran and about their religion ‘Islamic studies’. It is usually taught in Arabic, although some kids are given the meaning in English.
On Friday prayers (jummah) the leader gives the sermon in two similar parts. The first part the leader recites the quran giving the meaning and explains how every Muslim should follow the correct path the of life. Whereas the second part he leads the prayer for all the community everywhere.
If certain people are not completely sure about a concept within Islam they turn to the imam to give advice and share his knowledge. The imam has to make sure that he contributes in peoples problems by helping them to follow the sharia’h (Islamic law) correctly.
To bring to a close the imam of a Sunni has many important roles therefore he is highly respected for carrying out such as difficult role for everyone. However he is not ordained as a holy man but a leader in the name of Allah.
