Moslem Worship -prayer and mosques
Worship
) WHAT IS MEANT BY ' WORSHIP '?
Worship according to Cambridge Dictionaries Online is:
"To have or show a strong feeling of respect and admiration for God or a god."
Or
"To worship is also to have a strong feeling of respect and admiration for people or objects, often without being aware of their faults."
What I understand by the word worship is when you praise, honour and respect something regarded highly by yourself and/or others.
People can worship God or a god, or they can worship people or objects. If someone has a particular obsession, such as a football team, they could be said to worship them. Actions carried out in worship can be singing, praying, respecting by certain rituals, attending services or meetings, or having continuous thoughts about something. Muslims understand the word 'worship' to mean 'to adore,' 'people worship God by giving Him praise, thanksgiving, respects etc through prayer.' Prayer is the avenue for worship. Worship for Muslims means praying.
2) USING PICTURES AND/OR DIGRAMS DESCRIBE AND EXPLAIN THE MAIN FEATURES AND FURNISHINGS OF A MOSQUE.
PRAYER HALL
This is the most important part of the mosque and is a large carpeted space used for prayer. It has no seating at all for prayer, as all stand facing Mecca, the holy city of Islam, united together. Here the worshippers assemble in neat rows and are equal before God. Often white lines will be marked on the floor to organise straight lines and to fit more people in. The empty space represents God's vastness and focuses Muslims on this belief. It's empty of furniture for this might lead to distraction when the worshipper should continually focus on Allah
QUIBLA WALL
This is the wall that faces Mecca. In this wall is a niche or alcove known as the mihrab. It tells the worshipper where Mecca is and has been carefully built to face this way as the Muslim must always face Mecca to say prayers. Mecca is the birthplace of Muhammad (pbuh), the last prophet, to whom the Qur'an was given. It is also the site of the Ka'ba, the first man made structure built to worship one God. Mecca is also the destination for the Hali (pilgrimage), which all Muslims should complete once in their lifetime. All Muslims worldwide are united in facing Mecca at times of prayer.
QUR'AN
The Qur'an is used in worship because it is a regarded as the complete and uncorrupted words of Allah for all people; it is the word of God. It is a guide to living, and the last revelation of Allah's truth to the world revealed to Muhammad (pbuh) by the angel Gabriel. The Qur'an is Allah's way of communicating his will.
Extracts from the Qur'an are used to decorate the walls and ceilings of the mosque; this is to show that God is everywhere. It is usually written with great skill and artistry, which is worthy of such a book. The opening chapter of the Qur'an is recited at the start of each of the five prayers. It is read during Friday prayers, and the sermons may be based on extracts from it. It is often read during private worship, and while it is being read you must not speak or make noise. You must also handle it carefully as a sign of respect. It is also kept high above all other books, and this shows it is greater than any of them. When it is being read it is to go on a stand and not be on the same level as the feet. It is also kept covered by a cloth as a sign of respect. Muslims believe that blessings flow from the sound of it being read.
STAR AND MOON SYMBOL
The five-pointed star symbolises the five pillars of Islam, i.e. the five basic duties of a Muslim, Salah, Shahda, Zakat, Saum and Haji. The moon and stars are signs to Muslims of the greatness of the creator and focuses them on the rôle of Allah as creator, which is one of his 99 names. Sometimes the dome and minaret of the mosque have a moon-shaped crescent on top of them, or a star and crescent. This five pointed star and crescent is a symbol of Islam, and is depicted on the flags and stamps of many Muslim countries. When Muhammad (pbuh) and his early followers were desert people the new moon marked the beginning of each new month. The positions of the stars were used for finding the direction of Mecca. Therefore the star and moon symbol reminds Muslims of this tradition.
CALLIGRAPHY
Calligraphy means beautiful writing. It is an Islamic art form and is a way of reminding Muslims of words in the Qur'an and Hadith. The beautiful handwritten characters are often used to present the word of the Qur'an - God's greatest gift to humanity - with skill and artistry worthy of such a holy book. At the same time it reminds Muslims of their faith, because God is everywhere, just as calligraphy is around the mosque. The early scribes concentrated on finding styles worthy of the words they were putting down. The master writers believed that a person's handwriting revealed their inner character and nature; so only a spiritually pure person should attempt the task.
The first handwritten Qur'ans had no artwork, because the scribes believed it was wrong to make representations of heavenly, or even human, beings, because this might be idolatry; and they did not wish people to pay attention to the decoration rather than the content of the verses. Later the wealthy sultans commissioned lavish and colourful Qur'ans resplendent in gold, green, red and blue.
No figurative art is allowed, and the makers of images were denounced by Muhammad (pbuh). This is due to the danger of worshipping images and making idols - only Allah should be worshipped. No representations of Allah are allowed as these would be blasphemous, as it is impossible and wrong to produce any likenesses of Allah or Muhammad (pbuh).
WOMEN'S SECTION
Women do not have to attend the mosque and often family duties prevent them, though they are still expected to pray at home. By not requiring attendance it means that women are not burdened. There ...
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No figurative art is allowed, and the makers of images were denounced by Muhammad (pbuh). This is due to the danger of worshipping images and making idols - only Allah should be worshipped. No representations of Allah are allowed as these would be blasphemous, as it is impossible and wrong to produce any likenesses of Allah or Muhammad (pbuh).
WOMEN'S SECTION
Women do not have to attend the mosque and often family duties prevent them, though they are still expected to pray at home. By not requiring attendance it means that women are not burdened. There is usually a balcony, or separate area for them when they do attend, so they do not distract the men and lead them to think sexual thoughts and turn their minds away from Allah, and vice versa. They are separated for reasons of modesty, given the nature of praying positions. It also means that women are respected, as they should be.
If women do attend they will worship and prepare for worship separately from the men, so that the two sexes do not distract each other. Their worship area will be smaller than the men's, since fewer women attend mosques. Purdah implies complete segregation of women and men.
DOME
This is an onion shaped dome over the prayer hall, giving the feeling of open space, and representing the universe over which Allah has control, which is a key belief, and it focuses Muslims on Him. It also amplifies the voice of the Imam so he can be heard by the worshippers during worship, and provides air conditioning in hot countries. It also encourages a powerful and calm atmosphere. It is normally covered in tiles, gold paint, or calligraphy.
MIHRAB
The prayer leader usually stands in front of the mihrab a special niche set in the wall that faces Mecca. Mihrabs are usually beautifully decorated with colourful tiles and texts from the Qur'an, and are sometimes known as the niche of lights, the symbol for the divine presence in the heart.
Many are shell shaped, from the tradition that shells house a pearl, formed when they rise to the surface of water at night and open to receive a dewdrop. The shell absorbs the 'dewdrop of the divine word.' It is a characteristic that the most sumptuous decoration is used to frame and honour something that which itself is not visible.
The wall facing Mecca is known as the Quiblah wall, and set in this is an alcove or niche, the mihrab. It points to the direction of Mecca, the holy town of Muslims, where Muhammad (pbuh) was born. The mihrab faces the Ka'ba and concentrates the Muslims mind upon Allah. It also unites Muslims across the world as they all pray towards the same city.
WUDU FACILITIES
Wudu is the ritual washing or ablutions take place. It is performed before prayer. Hands are washed thoroughly before the mouth is washed out. Water is snuffed into the nose and blown out, and then all parts of the face are washed using both hands. The right arm is then washed from wrist to elbow, then the same with the left. Wet hands are then run backwards over the head, turned to wipe the neck, and then brought round to wipe the inside and out of the ears before the right foot is washed up to the ankle, followed by left. All of these are done three times. This is done to continue a tradition that Muhammad (pbuh) started. The most common arrangement for wudu ablutions is for a row of taps to be set in the wall over a drain, with stools arranged or people to sit on while the wash their feet.
Wudu symbolises an inner and outer, physical and mental, body and soul cleansing. It is a preparation or turning to God. The washing is always done in a quiet prayerful manner, for it is in itself part of the act of worship. While washing, Muslims pray that they will be purified from the sins they have committed by hand or mouth and that they will be empowered to do good and refrain from evil, and that they should walk on the right path and not go astray. If water is not available, the worshipper can perform a dry wash known as taymmum, which simply involves touching clean earth and wiping over the face, hands and arms in an imitation wash.
Wudu is broken by sex or discharge (blood, seminal fluid, faeces or wind). Women in child birth or menstruating are excused salah.
MINBAR
On the right of the mihrab is the minbar, the platform from which the imam gives the khutbah sermons. These can be very simple, or highly ornate. The simplest ones are usually just a couple of carpeted steps with a small platform at the top. Ornate minbars can consist of a high flight of stairs, beautifully carved and decorated. The prophet Muhammad (pbuh) made this so he could stand on a slightly risen platform to enable the worshippers to see him when he gave his sermons on a Friday, it is continued as tradition. This is the place where the imam stands to deliver his sermons and read passages from the Qur'an. Often the focus of the sermon can be based on an issue to relate to the Muslim community. This shows the importance of preaching and hearing the word of God in Islam.
MINARET
This is a tall tower built so it rises above the mosque. The tower reaches out towards heaven and so points towards Allah, but is also firmly rooted in the earth. Such a tower is always connected with a mosque, and has one or more balconies or open galleries. Minarets are constructed in a wide variety of forms ranging from thick, squat spiral ramps, to soaring, delicate, pencil-thin spires. Often the minaret is square at the base, where it is attached to the mosque. Above this square base it may rise in a series of circular, hexagonal, or octagonal stages, each marked by a projecting balcony. At the top is a bulbous dome, an open pavilion, or a metal-covered cone. The upper parts of the minaret are usually richly decorated with carving. The steps may be internal or external. The number of minarets per mosque also varies, from one to as many as six.
Muslims are called to prayers 5 times a day by the muezzin, for salah, praying five times a day is one of the five pillars. The call is like a chant called adhan, often very musical and beautiful. It begins 'Allahu Akbar' (God is most great). Once when worshippers had no watches, it was necessary to remind them of the times of prayer in this way. Today the muezzin reminds people of the prayer times which may change daily as these are fixed by the sun. The minaret shows the importance of the five daily prayers, which is one of the five pillars of Islam called Salah. The faith of Muslims is built on the practice of these pillars, showing submission to Allah and daily dependence on Him.
SIX CLOCKS
Mosques have to decide on the times they will hold the five prayers (one of the pillars of Islam) for people who are able to come and say them there, rather than at home or at work. The sixth clock shows the time of the special Friday service, when the Jum'ah prayer takes the place of the Zuhr prayer. All Muslim men should attend mosque on Friday to join in the congregational prayer and listen to the sermon (the khutbah). Women are not obliged to attend because of their domestic duties. Friday prayers are important for Muslims to join together in unity and provide support and encouragement particularly in a minority as in Britain.
SECTION B
Muslims understand the word 'worship' to mean 'to adore,' 'people worship God by giving Him praise, thanksgiving, respect etc through prayer.' Prayer is the avenue for worship. Worship for Muslims means praying.
Wudu is when ritual washing takes place before prayer. Hands are washed thoroughly before the mouth is washed out. Water is sniffed into the nose and blown out, and then all parts of the face are washed using both hands. The right arm is then washed from wrist to elbow, then the same with the left. Wet hands are then run backwards over the head, turned to wipe the neck, and then brought round to wipe the inside and out of the ears before the right foot is washed up to the ankle, followed by left. All of these are carried out three times, and it is done to continue a tradition that Muhammad (pbuh) started. The most common arrangement for wudu ablutions is for a row of taps to be set in the wall over a drain, with stools arranged for people to sit on while they wash their feet.
Wudu symbolises an inner and outer, physical and mental, body and soul cleansing. It is a preparation for worship and turning to God. The washing is always done in a quiet prayerful manner, for it is in itself part of the act of worship. While washing, Muslims pray that they will be purified from the sins they have committed by hand or mouth, that they will be empowered to do good and refrain from evil, and that they should walk on the right path and not go astray. If water is not available, the worshipper can perform a dry wash known as taymmum, which simply involves touching clean earth and wiping over the face, hands and arms in an imitation wash. Wudu is intended to refresh and make the Muslim more alert and ready for worship.
Wudu is broken by sex or discharge (blood, seminal fluid, faeces or wind). Women in childbirth or menstruating are excused from attending prayer..
Compulsory prayer five times a day, called Salah, is a religious duty performed by Muslims at set times facing Mecca. Though it does not have to take place in the mosque, it is still compulsory to attend Friday noon prayers there. This is the pattern, or way, set down by Allah in the Qur'an. Prayer is one of the five pillars of Islam and Muhammad said, 'Prayer is the avenue of worship, worship for the Muslim means praying.' To pray is the first thing a Muslim does in the morning, and the last thing done before going to bed at night.
The five daily prayer times are related to the place of the sun in the sky and fall during times of the day when it is most convenient to pray.
These prayers only take a few minutes. Muhammad carried out this practice and since then Muslims have fixed the times of prayer based on this example. It is a very important act of submission to Allah and an essential discipline. It shows that the Muslim is dependent on God and obedient to his will.
During these times everything in life is set aside and Muslims concentrate on Allah - praising him, thanking, asking for forgiveness etc. Praying brings people closer to God as it helps to build up a relationship with him; it calms down dangerous passions as it stills the worshipper and brings the right focus in life; it brings peace and tranquillity, promotes patience, hope, confidence and obedience, as well as developing discipline. In the midst of a busy life, it sets time aside to focus on Allah and remind Muslims of him, drawing them away from their worries and underlining their dependence on him.
Muslims follow a set cycle of movements accompanying prayer, which symbolise the believer's willing submission to Allah of self, both body and mind. Each completion of words and movements is known as rak'ah. There are several acts of devotion within each rak'ah. They are a sequence of standing, bowing, words, prostration etc. These prayer positions are based on the tradition followed by Muhammad, as the Prophet himself followed this. However, it is the intention in the heart rather than the movements that are important.
Two to four rak'ah may be performed depending on the time of prayer. Within the rak'ah many passages (ayats) from the Qur'an are recited emphasising its centrality.
Du'a is the personal/private devotion outside the compulsory five times and is performed in a kneeling position with hands, palms upwards and can be said straight after salah. The prayers may be thanksgiving, a cry for help, pleas for guidance etc and are really personal requests and supplications. They can be offered at any time and can be of any length. These are spontaneous prayers unlike the compulsory salah. Many Muslims keep a certain place in their house, perhaps a spare room or part of a bedroom, for prayer, which must be kept clean.
Muslims often make God their first thought on waking and the last before sleeping, this is also du'a. Any prayer for self, solution to a problem or protection is du'a. The best du'a prayer is to ask God for strength and faith to endure the tasks of life.
Prayer beads are often used as an aid to prayer, the believer praising God by counting off His wonderful names. By uttering these names the worshipper becomes more aware of the presence and inner reality of God. Muslims may also read Qur'an at home, studying the sacred teachings, hoping to gain inspiration and guidance from them.
In summary, Salah is compulsory for Muslims, and is the act of praying five times a day. Du'a is private and personal prayer outside these five times and is not obligatory. Salah is mainly praising and thanking God, and asking for his forgiveness, in a more formal setting. Du'a by contrast is largely personal requests and is often spontaneous.
On Fridays men are expected to form a congregation for the midday prayer in the mosque. All adult male Muslims are expected to leave their worldly activities and attend. In Muslim countries all shops and businesses close during the midday hour on Fridays. The Qur'an commands that Friday prayers are held. Before they begin, the imam will give two short talks called the khutbah, usually based on verses from the Qur'an or the Hadith or some subject of interest to the people. The Friday prayer consists of only two rak'ahs led by the imam and facing the Qiblah wall, after which people pray individually and then go back to work.
Meeting with other Muslims is an expression of unity and brotherhood. Communal prayer is very supportive if in your own mind you should wander from prayer, as you are encouraged by seeing others continuing in prayer. Everyone stands closely together in lines and everyone is equal at the time of prayer. Communal prayers remind the Muslim of the importance of the whole Muslim community, providing encouragement and strength, as well as obeying the command of Allah in the Qur'an to meet together. It is a great encouragement to face the coming week, knowing there are others who follow the same path. In a country where you may be in a minority it brings a sense of unity and strength.
Worship and prayer is important to a Muslim in many ways. Firstly, it is something God instructed in the Qur'an, where there are frequent references to how to pray, as well as teachings on preparation for prayer and the benefits it brings. Therefore it demonstrates obedience. It is also one of the five pillars of Islam. Muhammad said: 'Salah is the pillar of the Islamic religion and whoever abandons it demolishes the very pillar of Islam'. Worship is a form of praising and glorifying God, to whom Muslims owes everything, including their lives. God alone is worthy of worship and deserving of praise. Therefore it develops gratitude and humility.
Worship and prayer are a duty if a Muslim is to receive refreshment and strength from God. It is like saying that God gives humans water, but if they refuse to drink, it is not God who is not harmed but they who go thirsty. Therefore it brings a sense of peace and tranquillity. Prayer is not to influence God, as that would be arrogance, but to change themselves within through focusing upon Him, promoting patience, courage, hope and confidence.
Prayer is to remember God and keep Him in mind, which is probably the most important reason for it, as He should be the focus of a Muslim's life and thoughts. It is often easy with the fast pace of life for a Muslim to forget about God, but prayer draws the mind away from personal worries and problems and back towards God. Setting a time for prayer marks those who really do have faith and wish sincerely to follow God, as it demands discipline and commitment because often praying can be inconvenient.
Worship and prayer is the most sacred moment of life, for it is when the worshipper comes into direct contact with God and is reminded of Him and his greatness. Prayer allows worshippers to express submission to God, shown outwardly in bowing and prostration but reflecting an inward intention. Salah five times a day reminds them of this submission and of what it means for their daily life.
Prayer identifies a Muslim with fellow Muslims who are doing the same. It practically expresses the brotherhood of Islam and unites Muslims. SO it reflects equality, unity and brotherhood. Regular prayer is a discipline that forces Muslims to take their religion seriously as it is not always easy and it develops will power. Prayer provides time to give thanks, ask forgiveness and look for help in the future.
SECTION C
RELIGIOUS BUILDINGS COME BETWEEN MUSLIMS AND GOD
DO YOU AGREE?
My view is that the mosque does not come between Muslims and God. This would also be the view of a Muslim. One of the reasons I think this is that there are no images of humans or animals, figures or statues in the mosque that could lead to idol worship and distraction from God. When Islam was first created, the situation in Mecca was that there was much idol worshipping. Muslims then became very conscious of anything in a mosque that could lead to idol worshipping. Because of this every feature of a mosque has significance. Calligraphy is used instead of pictures and images, and is painted all over the mosque, which shows that Allah is everywhere. Calligraphy is also the way in which the words of God are written down in the Qur'an, so when a worshipper looks around the mosque they are reminded entirely of God. There is also no furniture in the prayer hall, which stops distraction, and the emptiness of the hall symbolizes the vastness of God.
Buildings are also important because they provide a place for Muslims to get together as a community. This is especially important in non-Muslim countries, as it provides a sense of community. The mosque is also used by fellow Muslims travelling from other cities to sleep in during their stay, and this helps to build closeness with numerous Muslims in different cities. Mosque attendance is compulsory for males on Friday prayers, as it is written in the Qur'an and it provides a place used for the community to get together and worship - this highlights the importance of community in worship.
Wudu, which is performed before prayer, helps Muslims to focus on God. Activities that take place in a mosque bring Muslims closer to God e.g. Salat, sermons, classes for children to learn Arabic and the Qur'an. The mosque also provides a place to get away from the distraction of life, and offers somewhere to focus the mind fully on God and forget daily worries.
A Muslim would agree with me on this point of view, but some people might not. They could say that the beauty of a mosque might be considered over-ornate and so a distraction from your duty to God. They could say that money spent on the building and maintenance of a mosque could go elsewhere. Also not all mosques stick to the basic features, indeed one mosque in Leicester spent £26,000 on a chandelier, which, with its vastness and beauty, could easily distract a Muslim. The money could have been better spent on the poor and needy. A Muslim would defend this, saying that they give much money to the poor, and they need the mosque to be appealing to all Muslims, and if that means under floor heating and a chandelier, so be it.
It could also be argued by a person agreeing with the statement that, as Allah is everywhere, there is no need for a place of worship. Muhammad (pbuh) said that in the Hadith a Mosque is anywhere a Muslim prostrates themselves - a building is not necessary - prayer is the MOST important thing. A Muslim would say that having a mosque builds up community and Muslims can encourage each other. This is very important in a place where Muslims are in the minority.
Mosques often have carpets in the prayer hall, so Muslims don't have to bring prayer mats with them. Sometimes these have intricate patterns, and these could possibly distract a Muslim, whereas worshipping at home you could use a mat without distracting patterns.
It could also be said that praying at home takes more dedication than going to a mosque, as no one will know whether you have skipped a day of prayer. A Muslim would say that going to a mosque is a public statement that someone believes in Islam, and that there are also more distractions at home such as the television, and you can't leave all your daily worries behind, as the phone might ring or someone might call round to the house.
I would say that buildings are important to Muslims, bringing a sense of community and a focal point for their religious life. It is true that the money spent on the mosque could have helped the poor, but encouraging the faith of Muslims is also important and may even lead them to give more generously, so that the poor will ultimately benefit. Decoration could distract, but the devout Muslim will know what all the features stand for and will use them as an aid to worship. So just as churches are an important part of Christianity, it would be hard to imagine Islam without its mosques.
