The English word "mosque" denotes a Muslim house of worship. The word evolved from the Arabic term masjid, which means "place of prostration." During prayer, Muslims briefly kneel and touch their foreheads to the ground as a sign of submission (literally, Islam) to the will of God.
Of all Muslim institutions, the mosque is the most important place for the public expression of Islamic religiosity and communal identity. A mosque is a physical manifestation of the public presence of Muslims and serves as a point of convergence for Islamic social and intellectual activity.
According to Islamic sources, the Qurʾān (17:1) indicates that Muhammad was miraculously transported one night from Mecca (al-masjid al-ḥaram, or “the sacred place of worship”) to this site in Jerusalem (al-masjid al-aqṣā, “the farther place of worship”).
It is impossible for a true Muslim to turn a mosque into a place of fear and hatred and to turn people away from it. On the contrary, because the worship of God takes place within a mosque and because it gives a message of peace and security, a mosque is a place which draws people towards it like a magnet.
When Do Muslims Go To Mosque? Muslims pray five times a day facing Mecca. The mosque is available for any and all of these prayer times, but communal praying at the mosque is always encouraged, particularly for the midday prayer, and especially for midday prayers on Friday.
In Mecca, only Muslims are allowed, while non-Muslims may not enter or pass through. Attempting to enter Mecca as a non-Muslim can result in penalties such as a fine; being in Mecca as a non-Muslim can result in deportation.
Furthermore, restriction non-Muslims are aimed to provide a place of peace for the followers of Islam and preserve the sanctity of the holy city. If non-Muslims and tourists are allowed to enter the city, this would simply add to the congestion and detract from the spirituality of the pilgrimage visit.
The English word "mosque" denotes a Muslim house of worship. The word evolved from the Arabic term masjid, which means "place of prostration." During prayer, Muslims briefly kneel and touch their foreheads to the ground as a sign of submission (literally, Islam) to the will of God.
Masjid Quba is where they constructed the foundation for Islam's first Mosque, a Mosque mentioned in the Quran itself in verse 108 of Surah Tawbah. The Prophet (ﷺ) said “Whoever purifies himself in his house, then comes to the mosque of Quba and prays in it, he will have a reward like the Umrah pilgrimage.”
“Whoever builds a mosque for the sake of Allah, like a sparrow's nest for Allah or even smaller, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise.”
Don't eat inside a mosque. Make as little noise as possible, and preferably switch off your mobile phones. Even outside prayer times, don't disturb worshippers who may be praying. Don't stand close to them or walk in front of them.
After the four mosques accepted by all Muslims as holy sites, the Shi'ah consider Imam Ali Masjid in Najaf as the holiest site of only Shia Muslims, followed by Imam Husayn Shrine in Karbala.
From the earliest days of Islam, the mosque was the center of the Muslim community, a place for prayer, meditation, religious instruction, political discussion, and a school. Anywhere Islam took hold, mosques were established, and basic religious and educational instruction began.
Islam does not forbid women from going to the mosque. In fact, it was encouraged by the Prophet (pbuh) when he said: “Do not prevent the female servants of Allah from going to the mosque…” (Muslim, Abu Dawud).
The main purpose of a mosque in Islam is to be a place where Muslims can pray to God in congregation. Some prefer to pray at home, but others find themselves more spiritual in the mosque. Other purposes would include being a place where Islamic sermons are held as well as community gatherings and schools.
The obligation for communal worship on Friday is enjoined upon Muslims in the Qurʾān (62:9). The choice of Friday was probably based on the pre-Islamic function of Friday as market day, a natural occasion for dispersed local tribes to gather in a central location.
The prophet said: "You do not force yourself for preparation of visiting except these three mosques: Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, Masjid al-Haram, and Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Islam considers the whole earth a place of worship. Prayers can be offered anywhere, apart from certain areas such as rubbish dumps, bathrooms or graveyards. Thus, wherever one happens to be at the time an obligatory prayer is due, one can offer prayers there.
The mosque is referred to as the “House of Allah,” as an ascription of honor (idafat tashrif), not as an affirmation of dwelling–for Allah Most High is the creator of time and space, and is exalted beyond both time and space.
The reason for the white robes - and in the case of women a simple white dress - is quite simple, pilgrims need to be focused on the purpose of their journey and not be distracted by wealth or social standing.
Worship in a Mosque
When salat (Arabic) or namaz (Persian/Urdu), one of the five daily prayer is in progress, non-Muslim visitors are welcomed but simply to observe rather than to join in. If arriving at such a time, find a place near the rear wall and sit quietly observing the prayer.
Women should dress conservatively in long, loose-fitting clothing, and cover their hair with a hijab rather than a loose scarf. Once they enter Ihram, and before performing the sacred rites, men may no longer wear sewn clothing.
Like other non-Muslim religions, Hindus are not permitted to worship publicly in Saudi Arabia. There have also been some complaints of destruction of Hindu religious items by Saudi Arabian authorities. Saudi authorities interpret Hindu icons as idols, and idol worship is strongly condemned in Islam.
As no faith other than Islam is permitted to be practiced openly; no churches, temples, or other non-Muslim houses of worship are permitted in the country although there are nearly a million Christians as well as Hindus and Buddhists—nearly all foreign workers—in Saudi Arabia.