A mosque is a place of prayer for Muslims. The Arabic term masjid is the origin of the word mosque. Masjid is the name for a bigger, “collective” mosque. Greater mosques provide their communities with greater services.

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Key Facts & Information

COMMON TYPE OF MOSQUE ARCHITECTURE

• The hypostyle mosque: It stands to reason that the first kind of mosque, the hypostyle mosque, was influenced by the first place of prayer for Muslims, the home of the Prophet Muhammad. This variety was widespread across Islamic nations.
• The Great Mosque of Kairouan, Tunisia, is a model of a hypostyle mosque. Ziyadat Allah, the third king of the Aghlabid dynasty, a branch of the Abbasid Empire, erected the mosque in the ninth century. 
• It is a huge, rectangular stone mosque with a hypostyle (column-supported) hall and a spacious inner sahn (courtyard). 
• The three-tiered minaret is in the Syrian bell tower style, which may have been inspired by ancient Roman lighthouses. 
• The interior of the mosque has the column forest that has come to characterize the hypostyle architecture.
• The mosque was constructed on a previous Byzantine site, and the architects recycled ancient elements, such as the columns—a decision that was both practical and symbolic of the Islamic conquest of Byzantine countries.
• Many early mosques, like this one, make symbolic use of previous architectural materials (called spolia).
• The maqsura, a unique place dedicated for the ruler found in some mosques, is located on the right hand side of the mihrab. 
• The maqsura (pulpit) in this mosque is the earliest existing example, and the minbar (pulpit) is the earliest dated minbar known to experts. 
• Both are made of teak wood sourced from Southeast Asia. 
• In a spectacular show of medieval world commerce, this valued wood was sent from Thailand to Baghdad, where it was carved, and then transported by camel from Iraq to Tunisia.
• Prior to the development of the four-iwan design in the eleventh century, the hypostyle layout was commonly employed in Islamic territories.
• The unique forest of columns of the hypostyle layout was utilized to great advantage in several mosques. 
• The Great Mosque of Cordoba, for example, utilizes bi-color, two-tier arches to accentuate the nearly dizzying visual impact of the hypostyle hall.
• The mosque with four iwans: Just as the hypostyle hall characterized most of early Islamic mosque construction, the 11th century saw the rise of a new form: the four-iwan mosque. 
• An iwan is a vaulted space with one side open to a courtyard.
• The iwan arose in pre-Islamic Iran and was utilized in monumental and imperial architecture. The iwan, which is strongly connected with Persian architecture, was utilized in monumental construction throughout the Islamic era.
• The layout is similar to that of a hypostyle mosque, with a big open courtyard in the center. 
• In the four-iwan mosque, however, each courtyard wall is accented by a massive vaulted hall, the iwan. This mosque style, which became popular in the 12th century, has remained popular to the present day.
• The centrally-planned mosque: The Ottoman Empire was established in 1299. However, It did not become a dominant force until the 15th century, when Mehmed II seized Constantinople, the capital of the old Roman (Byzantine) Empire from the 4th century.
• The city, renamed Istanbul, spans the European and Asian continents and, as a Christian capital for almost a thousand years, has a very distinct cultural and architectural past than Iran. 
• The Ottoman builders were heavily influenced by Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia, the largest of all Byzantine cathedrals with a magnificent central dome towering over its vast nave.

PARTS OF MOSQUES

• Mihrab – The mihrab is an ornate, semi-circular depression in the wall of a mosque’s prayer chamber that indicates the qiblah—the direction facing Mecca that Muslims face during prayer. 
• Mihrabs vary in size and color, but they are often designed like doorways and ornamented with mosaic tiles and calligraphy to highlight space.
• Minbar –The minbar is a raised stage in front of a mosque prayer hall where sermons or speeches are delivered. The minbar is often constructed of carved wood, stone, or brick. It has a short stairway up to the top platform, which is occasionally covered by a tiny dome.
• Ablutions area – Ablutions (ritual washing or wudu) are part of the Muslim prayer preparation. An area for ablutions is sometimes provided in a restroom or bathroom. 
• Alternatively, a fountain-like structure might be built along a wall or in a courtyard. Running water is accessible, and little stools or benches are typically provided to make it simpler to sit down and wash one’s feet.
• Minarets – Minarets are seen on most mosques. Tall towers are called minarets. They typically hang around in one of the mosque’s corners. 
• The highest point within the mosque and typically the highest point in the vicinity is the top of the minaret. 
• The tallest minaret on Earth is found in the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco. In the beginning, mosques lacked minarets. 
• Even the most orthodox branches of Islam, such as Wahhabism, refrain from constructing minarets.
• They consider them to be little more than a decorative extra. 
• Muawiyah I, the Umayyad caliph, advocated the construction of minarets since they were seen to be equivalent to bell towers in Christian churches. 
• As a result, the minarets of mosques were designed using the bell tower’s shape. The bell tower and the minaret both have the same function, which is to summon the faithful to prayer.
• DOME – The primary prayer chamber was frequently immediately below the domes. They stand in for the world that Allah fashioned. 
• These domes were initially rather tiny. Near the mihrab, they only occupied a small portion of the roof.
• They later grabbed possession of the whole roof over the prayer room. 
• Typically, domes are shaped like hemispheres. The Mughals of India made onion-shaped domes common throughout Persia and South Asia. Along with the huge main dome, some mosques also contain several smaller domes. Often, the other domes are smaller.
• Domes would aid in the imam’s hearing since the voice would get stronger as sound waves bounced in and out of the dome.
• Prayer hall – The prayer room, or musalla, is a feature of all mosques. It often just has carpets or prayer mats as furnishings. 
• These are required since Muslim prayer is typically performed while kneeling.
• Some mosques feature Arabic calligraphy and Qur’anic passages painted on the walls for adornment and to assist worshipers in concentrating on the beauty of Islam and its holy book, the Qur’an.
• The wall facing the qiblah is often on the opposite side of the prayer hall’s entrance. 
• This wall has been tastefully embellished. It will be positioned perpendicular to a line that leads to Mecca in a correctly situated mosque. People line up parallel to the wall of the qiblah to pray.
• They position themselves facing Mecca. 
• The mihrab, a dip or niche that points in the direction of Mecca, is often located in the middle of the qiblah wall. The five daily prayers are conducted by the imam at the mihrab.
• Rugs for Prayer – Worshippers bend, kneel, and prostrate on the ground in humility before God during Islamic prayers. In Islam, the only requirement is that prayers be done in a clean environment. 
• Rugs and carpets have been a customary technique to keep the prayer room clean and to offer some padding on the floor. 
• At one end of traditional prayer carpets is an arch-shaped emblem. During prayer, this sign depicts the mihrab and must point toward Mecca.
• Shoe Rack – The shoe rack is a useful element in many mosques across the world. 
• To keep the prayer area clean, Muslims remove their shoes before entering a mosque.
• Instead of dropping mounds of shoes outside the door, shelves are strategically positioned around mosque entrances to allow guests to sort and afterward identify their shoes properly.
• Modern elements – The community they serve should be attracted to modern mosques. As a result, other amenities like libraries, sports facilities, and health clinics could also be accessible at the mosque.
• The walls may be covered with colored mosaics, plaster, or ornamental tiles. Neither sculptures nor images are present.

FUNCTIONS OF MOSQUES

Religious Function

• Prayers – Muslims are obligated to pray five times a day, with formal prayers held in mosques for each period. Exceptions are made for those facing challenges. 
• Jumuah, a special prayer ritual, takes place in mosques every Friday, replacing the regular prayers.
• Funeral prayers are conducted outside near the mosque, involving the imam and present worshipers. 
• Mosques also hold eclipse prayers during eclipses. Two important festivals called Eids are celebrated in the Islamic calendar, with special morning prayers held in mosques. 
• Larger mosques often accommodate populations from nearby smaller mosques, and in Muslim-majority nations, Eid prayers may be held outside in courtyards or town squares.
• Ramadan events – During Ramadan, the holiest month in Islam, Muslims fast during the day and gather for iftar feasts after sunset prayers. 
• Mosques organize these potluck dinners, but smaller ones may struggle to provide them daily. 
• Some mosques also offer breakfast before dawn and invite those in need. Optional prayers and Quran recitations by community members who have memorized the entire book take place at night. 
• Larger mosques hold all-night events to commemorate Laylat al-Qadr, the night of the first revelations to Prophet Muhammad. Lectures and meals are provided during this special night.

Political Function

• Advocacy – Mosques in nations with small Muslim populations actively promote civic engagement, especially compared to countries in the Greater Middle East with Muslim majorities. 
• American mosques, where many Muslims are immigrants or descendants of immigrants, host voter registration drives and campaigns to engage Muslims in political participation. 
• These mosques also provide updates on issues impacting the Muslim community and encourage regular attendees to participate in demonstrations, petitions, and political activities. 
• In other parts of the world, mosques and Islamic authorities utilize
• Friday prayers as a platform to advocate for peace and restraint, particularly in the aftermath of incidents like the Al-Askari Mosque bombing in 2006, aiming to address widespread bloodshed.
• Social conflict – Mosques, like other places of worship, have often been at the center of social conflicts. 
• The Babri Mosque in India was demolished by a large group of Hindus in 1992, leading to bombings and riots. 
• The Al-Askari Mosque in Iraq was severely damaged in 2006, exacerbating ongoing conflicts. 
• Mosque bombings have occurred in various countries, including Afghanistan and India.
• Following the September 11 attacks, American mosques saw vandalism and arson assaults. 
• The King Fahd Mosque in California was targeted in a planned bombing by the Jewish Defense League, and the Hassan Bek Mosque experienced attacks in 2001 by Israelis fueled by previous tensions.
• Saudi influence – Since the 1960s, the Saudi Arabian government has supported the building of mosques all over the world. They started providing financial support for mosque construction in several nations in the 1980s.  
• Furthermore, Saudi residents have significantly contributed to mosques around the Islamic world, particularly in nations where Muslims are thought to be underprivileged or persecuted. Saudi Saudis gave mosques in Afghanistan financial help when the Soviet Union fell. 

RULES IN MOSQUE

• There are further requirements in addition to bathing for everyone entering a mosque, even if they do not intend to pray there. 
• In the carpeted portion of the prayer hall, shoes are not permitted. In addition, some mosques forbid wearing shoes in areas that are not specifically designated for worshipping.
• All followers of Islam are expected to dress modestly. 
• Therefore, both men and women who visit a mosque must abide by this regulation (albeit mosques may not always enforce the restrictions). 
• Men are expected to arrive at the mosque in clean, loose clothing that does not reveal their body types. 
• Men and women pray at various locations. In accordance with Islamic law, men and women must be segregated in the prayer room. The ideal position for women to pray is behind males. 
• At one point, the second caliph Umar forced women to pray at home because he forbade them from entering mosques, especially after dark when he worried that men might make fun of them. 
• For example, the governor of Mecca in 870 had ropes strung between the columns to create a separate spot for women. 
• Other times, a certain area of the mosque was designated just for women.
• In many mosques nowadays, the women are sequestered behind a wall, a partition, or in a different area.
• Women do not worship in the main prayer hall but rather behind walls or in separate rooms in approximately two-thirds of American mosques; in other mosques, women are not even allowed to enter. 
• The Grand Mosque in Mecca is integrated, despite having separate areas for women and children.
• Leading in prayer – Having a leader for the prayers is typically regarded as beneficial, while it is not necessarily essential. 
• Imam refers to the person who typically conducts the prayers. He needs to be an honest and free man. He must be able to provide knowledgeable responses to inquiries about religion. 
• Prayers for men may only be led by men. When there are only women present in a congregation, ladies may lead the prayers.

RULES FOR NON-MUSLIMS IN A MOSQUE

• The entry of non-Muslims into mosques varies depending on Islamic legal opinions and cultural norms in different countries. 
• Some Islamic legal experts allow non-Muslims to enter mosques as long as certain conditions are met, while others, particularly those following the Maliki school of Islamic law, may prohibit non-Muslim entry altogether. 
• In Morocco and the Arabian Peninsula, non-Muslims are generally not allowed in most mosques, except for a few exceptions, such as the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. 
• The Masjid al-Nabawi in Medina and the Grand Mosque in Mecca are only open to Muslims in Saudi Arabia. 
• In contrast, non-Muslims are generally allowed to visit mosques in contemporary Turkey, but they must adhere to certain decorum standards.
• In Western countries, including the United States, non-Muslims are often welcome to visit mosques, with many mosques in the US hosting monthly visits by non-Muslims. Some mosques in the US actively invite non-Muslims as a way to promote understanding and foster positive relations with the wider society. 
• However, even in these cases, certain rules and guidelines may be in place, such as removing shoes, covering heads, and maintaining respectful behavior. The approach to non-Muslim entry into mosques varies globally, influenced by legal interpretations, cultural practices, and efforts to promote interfaith dialogue and understanding.

FAMOUS MOSQUES

• The Hagia Sophia – The Hagia Sophia, which means “holy wisdom,” is one of the most beautiful specimens of Byzantine architecture. Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles created it, and it has remained one of Turkey’s most notable landmarks for 1,500 years. Hagia Sophia, like some of the other mosques on our list, has changed ownership several times and served as a place of worship for a variety of religions over the years.
• During the Roman Empire, Hagia Sophia stood on the site of a pagan temple. The earliest Christian churches were erected on the site in the fourth century, but the Byzantine designs that we know today were commissioned for the site by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in 532. 
• DOME OF THE ROCK – is a religious building erected around the Foundation Stone, which Judaism says is the location of the world’s origin. Islam believes it is the spot where Muhammad began his Night Journey or climb to paradise. It is situated on the Temple Mount, a hill in Jerusalem’s Old City that is revered in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
• The Dome of the Rock is one of several structures on this list that have been considered sacred by different groups for thousands of years. The dome was the location of the Jewish Temple of Solomon, or the First Temple before it was replaced by the Second Temple. 

Mosque Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Mosques across 32 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Mosques. The Arabic term masjid is the origin of the word mosque. Masjid is the name for a bigger, “collective” mosque. Greater mosques provide their communities with greater services.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Mosque Facts
2. Parts of a Mosque
3. Define The Words
4. The Architecture
5. Fact Check
6. The Rules
7. Picture Analysis 
8. The Hagia Sophia Mosque
9. Watch yo Learn?
10. Draw It to Visualized It
11. Mini Mosque

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a mosque?

A mosque is a place of worship for Muslims, who are followers of the Islamic faith. It is a central institution in Islam, serving as a gathering place for Muslims to engage in prayer, study, and community activities. Mosques can vary in size and architectural style, but they typically include a prayer hall, a mihrab (a niche indicating the direction of Mecca), and a minaret (a tower from which the call to prayer is made).

What is the significance of the mosque in Islam?

The mosque holds great significance in Islam. It is considered a sacred space where Muslims come together to worship Allah (God), offer prayers, and seek spiritual guidance. Mosques also serve as centers for religious education, where Muslims can learn about the Quran (Islamic holy book), Hadith (sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad), and Islamic teachings. Additionally, mosques often serve as community hubs, hosting events, social gatherings, and providing support to the local Muslim population.

Can anyone enter a mosque?

In general, mosques are open to Muslims and non-Muslims alike. However, there may be certain restrictions or guidelines in place depending on the specific mosque and local customs. Non-Muslim visitors are usually welcome to enter mosques outside of prayer times and are encouraged to respect the customs and rules of the mosque, such as dressing modestly and removing their shoes before entering. It’s always a good idea to check with the mosque administration or ask for guidance before visiting.

Who leads the prayers in a mosque?

The prayers in a mosque are typically led by an imam. An imam is a religious leader who is knowledgeable in Islamic teachings and serves as a spiritual guide for the Muslim community. The imam leads the congregational prayers, delivers sermons (khutbahs), and may also provide counseling and educational services to the community. In larger mosques, there may be multiple imams or other qualified individuals who lead prayers and perform other religious duties.

Are there any specific rules or etiquette to follow in a mosque?

Yes, there are certain rules and etiquette to follow when visiting a mosque. These guidelines may vary depending on the cultural practices and traditions of the community. However, some common practices include dressing modestly, covering one’s shoulders and knees, and removing shoes before entering the prayer area. It is also important to maintain a respectful and quiet demeanor, avoid disturbing worshippers, and follow any specific instructions given by the mosque staff. Women may be required to cover their hair with a headscarf (hijab) in some mosques, but this can vary. It’s always a good idea to be observant of your surroundings and follow the lead of the local worshippers.

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