The role of the Mosque

What is a key quote about building a mosque and what does it show?

• ‘Whoever builds for Allah a mosque, Allah will build for Him a house in paradise.’

• Building a mosque builds a communal place to pray.

• To spread the faith.

• Belonging.

• Blessing.

What does the word mosque/masjid mean in Arabic?

• Place of prostration

What is the significance of the first Mosque built by Prophet Muhammad in 622 CE?

• Mosques have been the place of congregational prayer for Muslims since 622 CE when the first mosque was built in Medina (after the Hijrah) by Prophet Muhammad - Quba mosque.

• The first mosque played an important role in shaping religious identity, education and community life.

• Its legacy continues to influence contemporary mosque design and function.

What did the first mosque serve as?

• Centre for prayer first and foremost

• Provided shelter for the poor

• Centre for education

• Military headquarters

• government and legal centre

• Rehabilitation centre

• Refuge for the travellers and the poor

• The ideal place for community and social gatherings

What was the first mosque considered to be?

• It was the heart of the community.

What was the original mosque like in terms of structure?

• The original mosque was a basic structure and was ‘primitively simple’ (old but traditional.)

How would you describe the first mosque?

• Welcoming, open to everyone

• Multi functional - social, political, religious aspects. - comprehensive religion

• Money was going towards the needs of society

• Not based on beauty - beauty is based on the inside, what you take from there

• Feeling content

What are UK mosques like?

• Mosques in the UK vary in terms of the size, style and services they offer to the community.

• But they are more than a place of worship and ‘should be a place for social encounters including opportunities for the elderly and the youth as well as adjusting to the community’s needs’

What do many mosques in the UK include?

• A space for prayer, for men and women

• Adequate washing facilities

• Facilities for preparation for the dead

• A library/study groups

• Islamic school - Madrassah

• Community events

What are some differences between the first mosque and mosques in the UK?

• Religious leadership in Madinah was Muhammad

• In the UK it is the imam, there is a great variation in the quality and availability of imams in the UK today.

• Politics, government and legal court - In Madinah the application of Islamic law is binding and integral to Muhammad’s rule.

• In the UK, non sharia law and not applicable. Although family laws may be relevant and some UK mosques discuss matters relevant to politics and government in sermons and study groups.

• Military - In Madinah - originally a place of strategy and the place where the armies were sent out.

• In the UK - not relevant today.

• Rehabilitation - In Madinah - originally prisoners of war with the aim to rehabilitate them spiritually to embrace Islam.

• In the UK there is no need for this - however charities in the UK such as Islamic Relief have help lines but some mosques have links to help and support.

What are some issues with mosques today in the UK?

• Some mosques seem very nationalistic - Bengali, Arab, Turk etc - which alienates fellow Muslims.

• Imported imams lack understanding of the country’s language, culture and social aspects.

• Too much segregation of men and women - makes mosques appear to be ‘prayer clubs for men’ , very male orientated.

• Women’s section doesn’t receive the same amount of attention

• Mosques have not moved with the times and the new generations - stuck in the 70s.

What are the key points for the mosque as a place of prostration and prayer? - primary function

• The prophet said building mosques should be in simple style, so that there should be no weakening of the true religious and spiritual atmosphere.

• Cleanliness in all respects is paramount, purity of mind, body, thoughts, and actions.

• Muslims are expected to be in a state of purity when they visit the mosque - Muslims perform ablution before preforming prayer.

• Muslims prostrate in prayer, therefore the mosque should be clean.

• Mosques in the UK are carpeted and shoes are removed upon entering.

• Shouting or raising ones voice unnecessarily and using improper or foul language is loathed.

• Modesty in dress is expected for both men and women.

• Avoiding any form of shirk - there are no pictures/images in a mosque.

• It is a place where humility before Allah is expressed altogether, such behaviour creates a spiritual experience, and the primary function of a mosque is maintained - which is to pray/submit to God.

What are two key quotesabout anywhere being a mosque?

• ‘Wherever you pray. That place is a mosque’

• ‘The earth is a mosque for you, so pray wherever you are at the time of prayer.’

  - Prophet Muhammad

What is the need for a mosque, if wherever you pray becomes a mosque as long as it is clean, facing Mecca?

• A place of structure, effort, unity, mindset, focus, community.

• A place to be in complete submission, feel fulfilment and increase knowledge, discipline.

A mosque is the hub of a community, what are examples to support this?

• Identity

• Recitation of the Quran

• Spiritual contemplation

• Education

• Festival, Eid celebrations

• Nursery facilities

• Weddings

• Deaths

• Jummah prayers and Khutbah (sermon)

• Relaxation

• Serve the poor

• Counselling

• Islamic school/Arabic classes

• Social/legal decisions

• ‘Centre of purity’ - Rippin

What is the role of an Imam?

• Imam is an Arabic word that means to ‘stand at the front’

• An imam stands in the front of the lines of worshippers, leading them as they move through the movements and recite their set prayers.

• The imam has no special training for their work and is not ordained as a holy person - but is a role model for the community.

• No priests/monks in Islam - this is because each member of the Ummah is considered equal in the sight of Allah.

• In small mosques there is unlikely to be a full-time imam, instead someone may take on the responsibility voluntarily and have a regular job as well.

• An imam is an educated person who is chosen by the Muslim community to lead their prayers because he is recognised by everyone as a good Muslim and is accountable to the public.

• An imam should have a good understanding of the faith and its teaching.

• He would be known for his own holiness of life, family and is respected.

• He would have studied the Quran and is dedicated to his job as a community leader.