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Mosque

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A mosque is a place of worship and prayers for the Muslims. In Arabic, it is called a masjid, which is derived from the word sajd which means the place where one prostrates oneself by placing the forehead on the floor. The Quba mosque just outside Medina Munawwara (Saudi Arabia) was the first ever mosque to be built after the advent of Islam. Most mosques have elaborate domes, minarets and prayer halls.

Performing the five daily prayers in the mosque has great rewards. The mosque can be used as a place of worship, as an educational institute and as centre of social gatherings for the Muslims. Mosques should be kept clean and tidy at all times. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said," Whoever builds a mosque only for sake of winning Allah's pleasure, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise." (Bukhari)

How to visit a mosque as a tourist

by Fiona Thompson

Visiting a mosque can be an enriching and enlightening experience; however, it can also be a daunting one if you are not familiar with the etiquette expected of visitors and worshippers. The rules f...More>
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Travel experiences: Visiting Abu Dhabi's Grand Mosque

by Dagmar Pelzer

After the glitter of Dubai and the imposing structures of Abu Dhabi's government buildings, the Sheik Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque in Abu Dhabi is the pinnacle of everything the United Arab ...More>
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Islam: An overview of Islamic architecture

by Chris Pearce

Islamic architecture can be seen most prominently in mosques, tombs, palaces, and forts. It is also seen in subordinate structures like dwellings, fountains, and public baths. The use of large domes, ...More>
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Reasons why Switzerland has banned construction of new mosque minarets

by Emily Farrer

The idea here is not to pass judgment on whether the recent decision to ban the construction of new minarets was right or wrong, justified or unjust. Before one is even able to make such a judgment, i...More>
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Travel experiences: Faisal Mosque, Islamabad, Pakistan

by Gulrukh Tausif

The Shah Faisal Mosque When in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, sightseeing should surely start with a visit to the Shah Faisal Mosque, a grand architectural landmark at the north end of the F...More>
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The history of the great mosque of Cordoba

by D. Vogt

The Great Mosque de Cordoba is a fascinating architectural site: a house of worship that was once Christian, and then Muslim, and now is Christian again. Its name is taken from the Moorish period, whe...More>
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Respect for Mosques

photo by Gaurav Vaidya

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade people from reciting poetry or buying and selling things inside the mosque as it distracts from worship.
Shoes should be removed before going into the prayer hall.
Do not enter the mosque in an inebriated state.
Women should not wear figure hugging or transparent clothes while visiting a mosque. Men should not wear shorts. It is better to wear full sleeve and full length clothes and cover the head.
It is important not to talk loudly or disturb anyone who is praying in a mosque.
Do not stand or walk in front of a person who is praying.
For non Muslims, if visiting a mosque during a time when prayers are taking place, it is better to stay towards the rear of the hall.
Quarreling, arguing, shouting, laughing, running around and gossiping are strictly forbidden in mosques.
Mobile phones, pagers and mp3s should be switched off or to silent mode before entering to maintain a peaceful atmosphere.
Take photographs only if permitted.

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Mosques: Quick Facts

Al-Masjid al-Haraam which surrounds the Ka'aba in Makkah, was the first place of worship of Allah. It was built by Prophet Ibraheem (AS).
The first mosque that was built by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) after advent of Islam was the mosque of Quba' outside Madeenah al-Munawwarah.
A minaret is a slim tower rising from a mosque from which the muezzin calls out the azaan to call the Muslims for prayers.
The Imam leads the prayers in a mosque.
Masjid al-Haraam in Makkah, Saudi Arabia is the world's largest mosque with a capacity to hold almost 4 million worshippers.
Masjid-e-Nabwi in Medina, Saudi Arabia is the second largest with a capacity for over half a million worshippers at a time.
Mosques in India and Pakistan like Delhi's Jama Masjid and Lahore's Badshahi Masjid, reflect the splendor of Mughal architecture.
Human portraits or paintings depicting life forms are forbidden in mosques. No statues or idols are allowed either.

Official Links

Mosques - Mosques of the World
Mosques: Illustrated index of mosques profiled on Sacred Destinations.
Rulings on Mosques
Important rulings on mosques from the Qur'an and the hadith.
An Overview of Historical Islamic Mosques in Egypt
History and architectural development of mosques in Cairo, the city of 1000 minarets