What is the correct way to attend Mosque
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Hi Everyone,
What is the protocol for attending Mosque? i.e. does one request to attend and wait for an invitation?
Thanks,
RobDepends if you are a Muslim or a non-Muslim. If you are a Muslim, most welcome to the mosque, you should already know that shoes should be removed before entering mosque. Also, it is forbidden for men and women to stay in a mosque if they are ritually impure and also it is forbidden for women to stay in the mosque if she has menstruation.
Likewise it is forbidden for anyone to enter a mosque if there is a foul order from their body or clothes, as this annoys both the worshippers and the Angels present in the mosque. For example, if a person has eaten raw onions or garlic, he should not enter the mosque until his breath has freshened.
There is also a dress code for entering the mosque. It is forbidden for men to enter mosque wearing shorts or not properly covered, such as wearing tight clothes which reveal the private parts. Men should cover their head and wear clean modest clothes. Women must also be covered properly and observe proper veil.
It is forbidden to make noise in the mosque and to indulge in worldly talk or to undertake business transactions. Remember, mosque is a place of worship not a social club. Mosques should always be cleaned and people should pay utmost attention not to disturb worshippers with noise and loud talking.
As for non-Muslims, they should avoid entering the mosque unless they have been invited and protocols of staying in the mosque have been explained to them. This depends on mosque to mosque. Some mosques will invite non-Muslims for special conferences to learn about Islam, but more strict mosques will never allow entry to non-Muslims as they are ritually impure.
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Thanks so much for your replies. I guess I should have worded the question better. I am just now studying Islam and am a Irish-American. Just didn't know if I would be welcome by just showing up. Thank you all for your advice and information.
Peace be with you all.
Rob
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Peace Rob,
First of all, whoever enters a mosque is assumed to be a Muslim. So no one's going to react to your entering the mosque because they'd think you're a Muslim. Muslims simply enter the mosque before prayer and exit soon after. There should be no problems if you are going in to pray.
But I can understand that you may not be very comfortable doing this.
What you can do is simply enter the mosque....and then tell someone there that you've been studying Islam, and wanted to learn more about it. As long as you are polite and well-mannered, and decently dressed, they will be more than happy to welcome you.
If you do not intend to pray, it would be better to go sometime after the prayers, as people get busy when it's time for the prayer.....and they would find it very odd that you're not praying but simply checking out the mosque! eat
By the way, we'd love to know what your background is and what drew you to Islam/Quran....despite the Islamophobia that's prevalent around the world....and the controversial things said about the Muslim faith.
All the best for the journey ahead welcome
....strict mosques will never allow entry to non-Muslims as they are ritually impure.
This is flawed logic brother Israfeel. I don't understand what you mean by this. I've come across Non-Muslims who are much more purer at heart than many Muslims. It is the purity of heart that matters; not ritual purity. To each his own.
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Hi Bookish,
I was raised Christian but rarely go to church. I do have a deep love for Jesus and be has been like my brother but have always thought of him as a prophet since childhood (I don't know why). When I found that Islam thinks of Jesus as a prophet I was intrigued. I started reading a little here and there and found that it is not the religion that I have been hearing about and that the Qur'an is for all and Muslims are suppose to love everyone. There also seems to be the morality in Islam that is attracting me. In todays society there are no boundaries and this really bothers me. I am also a Freemason and we are suppose to accept every one that believes in one God. We are also suppose to have all of the Holy books. From what I have been reading in the Qur'an I am finding that I really new nothing of the Islamic faith and it is very beautiful if you are not corrupted by the news or a small percentage of bad seeds that can be found in any religion. I live in Colorado and the only Muslim that I have ever known moved back to Iraq. He was Kurdish and a very good friend. I miss him but maybe he was the spark that ignited my mind into taking this journey.
Peace to you and everyone,
Rob -
Peace Colorobo
I live in Vancouver Canada. I have seen non-muslims visiting local mosques and there has never been any problem. Rather they are welcomed and given tour of mosques with excitement. They are also invited for interfaith dialogues. I am sure if you visit a mosque and let them know your purpose of visit, many will be more than happy to assist you.
God bless you -
Hi Everyone,
What is the protocol for attending Mosque? i.e. does one request to attend and wait for an invitation?
Thanks,
RobHow many mosques are there in this world? I have seen a lot of places that refer to themselves by the title of mosque... But you're often greeted by the crescent moon and star (symbol of Hubal, moon God) on top of a dome shaped structure. And once you go in, you will find "Islamic" calligraphy which actually originates from pagan symbols. And once they start speaking inside, you hear more verses from the book of Bukhari than the book of Allah. Then everyone in there worships Muhammad by reciting Durood. Is this what a mosque is? Is this where I should pray or should I make my own mosque in my house that is dedicated to the worship of God alone?
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Colorobo,
Salaam. Be careful not to confuse Muslims with Islam. Islam is that Quran that you read. That's all that was given to Muhammad and that's all that he preached. All the garbage that sectarian Muslims believe, like... Kill infidels, kill apostates, kill homosexuals, kill adulterers, kill dogs, etc comes from man made books. The majority of "Muslims" today follow these man made books which came 250+ years after the Prophet died. We are blessed to have Quran which is free from error. Gods direct word. We are not allowed to follow other sources after that, but humans are weak. Be careful with Sunni/Shia Muslims. They worship Muhammad and accept false stories about him. It's a test. God is all we need. Peace. -
Colorobo,
Salaam. Be careful not to confuse Muslims with Islam. Islam is that Quran that you read. That's all that was given to Muhammad and that's all that he preached. All the garbage that sectarian Muslims believe, like... Kill infidels, kill apostates, kill homosexuals, kill adulterers, kill dogs, etc comes from man made books. The majority of "Muslims" today follow these man made books which came 250+ years after the Prophet died. We are blessed to have Quran which is free from error. Gods direct word. We are not allowed to follow other sources after that, but humans are weak. Be careful with Sunni/Shia Muslims. They worship Muhammad and accept false stories about him. It's a test. God is all we need. Peace.Well said Aamer.....but it really amazes me as to what still makes a lot of people to come to traditional Islam (not Quran alone way) from many different faiths....and believe in all those hadiths...while at the same time believe that it's a religion of peace...the hadiths certainly don't paint that picture.
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Peace All
@ Colorabo not sure if you are aware of this but, depending on which Mosque it is that you are going to there will be a difference in the way the people perform prayers. And also the topics/lectures given on somedays usually Fridays would push different views depending on which Mosque it is Sunni/Shia etc.
Apologies if i'm going off topic here but how do "Quran only" muslims perform prayer in Mosque, since there aren't any "Quran only" Mosques (well not that I know off)
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Mosques belong to ALLAAH, swt. Just go to the mosque, do your salaat and socialize, but as 7218 commands us, do not call or mention anyone but ALLAAH, swt, in your sallaat and adzaan (call to prayer). The point is, do not isolate yourself. try to socialize but in the meantime and cautiously, in a subtle manner try to propagate your idea of The Qur'aan alone Islam.
7218,
And that masajid (mosques) belong to Allah; so, do not invoke anyone along with Allah.
Peace,
Khalil -
Peace All
@ Colorabo not sure if you are aware of this but, depending on which Mosque it is that you are going to there will be a difference in the way the people perform prayers. And also the topics/lectures given on somedays usually Fridays would push different views depending on which Mosque it is Sunni/Shia etc.
Apologies if i'm going off topic here but how do "Quran only" muslims perform prayer in Mosque, since there aren't any "Quran only" Mosques (well not that I know off)
There is a Quran only mosque in my city of Phoenix, Alhamdulillah. Granted it's one generous brother who uses part of his factory as a place of worship. And you will find maximum 10-15 people in there max at any given time. But he had the courage and drive to start it. I guarantee you, there are other Quran Alone Muslims in most of your cities. It just takes one person to organize and start the process. As for how we pray... Different people have different methods and beliefs but no one judges each other because Quran promotes critical thinking.
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There is a Quran only mosque in my city of Phoenix, Alhamdulillah. Granted it's one generous brother who uses part of his factory as a place of worship. And you will find maximum 10-15 people in there max at any given time. But he had the courage and drive to start it. I guarantee you, there are other Quran Alone Muslims in most of your cities. It just takes one person to organize and start the process. As for how we pray... Different people have different methods and beliefs but no one judges each other because Quran promotes critical thinking.
Alhamdulilah, that is nice to know there are such places of worship.
Unfortunately for the most of us, such Mosques are not in our area or simply do not exist and now going to Mosque and worshipping or performing salat like according to Quran, people there will judge and tell you that you are "doing it wrong" etc.I do wish that all Mosques could accept that everyone could have a different way of performing salat.
@Colorabo you said you were a free mason before, please excuse my ignorance but what does that entail?