Mosque

A mosque (; from Arabic: مَـسْـجِـد‎, romanized: masjid, lit. place of ritual prostration) is a place of worship for Muslims.Any act of worship that follows the Islamic rules of prayer can be said to create a mosque, whether or not it takes place in a special building. Informal and open-air places of worship are called musalla, while mosques used for communal prayer on Fridays are known as jāmiʿ.

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Mosque . Salah (Prayers) . Imamah

Why do we name the people that lead prayers in a mosque as Imams? Are there two meanings to the title Imam?

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 4 años ago

Bismihi ta'ala

The word imām simply means one who leads. It comes from the root word 'amma, which means someone who other people follow.

The Arabic word amām means front or forward, and imām, denotes that as well, because the leader or one who is being followed is going to be in the front. The term ummah also comes from the same root word as well.

The opposite of the imām is the ma'mūm, which means the follower (ma'mūmīn -followers). The plural for imām is a'imma.

For example, the person leading prayer is called imām jamā'ah, or leader of congregational prayer. The follower/s are called ma'mūm/ma'mūmīn.

The Quran makes reference to this term, using it for righteous leaders, but also using it for evil leaders as well (like surah tawbah, 12).

Therefore, the term imām can be used in different ways, depending on its context.

It could be imām of congregational prayer. The term imām could be used as a title for a scholar, like the local imām who is an Islamic cleric. It could be used for someone who aspires to become a leader among the righteous, like the verse:

وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا

It could be used as an honorific title for someone who was a great leader, like Imām Khomeini.

It could be imām of the four Sunni Madhhabs, like Imām al-Shafi'i.

It could be used as a title for the chief leader, or a ruler, or a caliph.

In our Shi'i context, we avoid using the word caliph as a title for our leaders and the successors of the Prophet (s.a.w), and we refer to them as Imāms, like Imām Ali, etc.

And Allah knows best.

101602

Mosque

Did the mosques in the time of the Prophet (s) used to have minarets?

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 4 años ago

The call for Salah which is called Athaan (Azaan) was made during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) from a high place to reach to maximum number of Muslims. This is a historic fact. Based on this fact, the minarets were constructed later on.
Wassalam.

101054

Sunni . Mosque

In our small city there are very few Shias and no centre or Hussainiya. In this situation is it allowed to donate for the building of a Sunni mosque?

If you are sure that the Masjid will remain under the management of reasonable persons and will not be influenced by extreme Wahabi groups, then you can help them.

It is better to help poor Mo'mineen in poor areas or poor countries where they don't have a Masjid.

Wassalam.

101028

Mosque . Jumu'ah . Sunni-Shi'a . Salat al-Jama’at

In my city Friday Salah is only done in a non-Shia mosque as there are very few Shia and no Shia prayer leader. Should I join the Sunni brothers in their congregation or perform Zuhr at my work place?

It is recommended to pray with Muslims from any sect. As it is a Friday prayer, you need to pray your own Dhuhr prayer before or after it.

Praying with our Muslim brothers from any sect is highly recommended.

'Wassalam.

101177

Man . Mosque . Ramadan . Homosexuality . Salah (Prayers) . Jumu'ah . Sawm (Fasting)

If a Muslim man is homosexual, may he still enter a mosque for his daily prayers or to attend Friday prayers? And can he still fast for Ramadan? Or is his every action considered invalid?

Bismihi ta'ala

Engaging in haram acts does not mean one abandons their devotion to Allah ta'ala and their 'ibadah.

Indeed, it is even more important to stress on that, for the purpose of hopefully empowering oneself to become more obedient to God and stay away from sin.

Yes, this man should continue to pray, fast, and perform everything else required by him as a Muslim. If done in the correct way, they will also be valid as well.

With prayers for your success.

96167

Muslims . Mosque

Are non-Muslims not supposed to be allowed inside a mosque? If true, what are the Islamic references supporting this position?

This matter has different opinions among the Maraaji' of Taqleed who are the highest in Islamic knowledge. Many of them e.g. Ayatullah Sistani and Ayatullah Sayyed Sa'eed al-Hakeem say that non Muslims are not allowed to enter Masjid according to obligatory precaution but they are allowed to inter all other religious places like Islamic centers and Husainiyya and Imam bargah etc.

'Other Scholars e.g. Ayatullah Kho'ee and Ayatullah Waheed Khurasani say that non Muslims are allowed to enter usual Masjids "except Masjid al-Haraam " if they don't carry with them any item which can make the Masjid Najis.

Wassalam.

95626

China . Mosque . Home . Jumu'ah . Salah (Prayers)

I am a Muslim studying in China and there is only one mosque in my city. They only open it for Jumu'ah prayer but close it thereafter. In this situation, are we allowed to pray at home?

Yes, we are allowed to pray at home especially when the Mosque is closed. Friday prayer has its conditions where ever it was established e.g. minimum number of participant is five, and the Imam of Jum'ah must be 'Adil (pious believer who does not commit sins) and other conditions.

Wassalam.

China . Mosque . Home . Jumu'ah . Salah (Prayers)

I am a Muslim studying in China and there is only one mosque in my city. They only open it for Jumu'ah prayer but close it thereafter. In this situation, are we allowed to pray at home?

Bismihi ta'ala

According to the view of our esteemed jurists, attending Salat al-Jumu'ah (Friday Prayer) is not wajib, but only Mustahab, and you are able to either attend, or pray your Dhuhr and 'Asr at home. You have this option to choose.

Of course, it is always recommended to pray in the form of jama'ah, or congregation, so it is encouraged to try to pray your wajib prayers in jama'ah in any opportunity you have.

With prayers for your success.

94684

Mosque . Qunut . Salah (Prayers) . Makkah . Ka'ba

When praying in the holy mosque of Mecca, is it permissible to look at the Kaaba during the Qunut?

Yes it is permissible to look at the Ka'bah during Qunoot because looking at the Ka'bah is a worship by itself. Nevertheless, it is always recommended during Qunoot of Prayers to look at your palms (inner side of your hands).

Wassalam.

78130

Sunni . Sunni-Shi'a . Mosque

Are we as Shia allowed to pray behind Sunni's in their mosques?

Bismihi ta'ala

Yes, it is permissible to pray behind a Sunni Imam, for the purpose of Islamic unity. Of course, details of this issue must be taken from the specific fatwa of your Marja' taqleed.

And Allah knows best.

85530

Mosque . Ahl al-Bayt . Turkey

What is the perspective from the teachings of Ahlul Bayt (as) on the conversion of the Hagia Sophia in Turkey to a mosque?

1. Islam does not change the religious places of non Muslims. Thousands of religious places of non Muslims all over the Muslim world remained unchanged and unchangeable.

2. If the people of the area opt willingly to become Muslims and use the place as Masjid for them, they have that right. The people of Istanbul have willingly become Muslims and decided to use that place as Masjid for them. The place was used by people of the area as a Masjid for centuries till a ruler ( Mustafa Kamal) issued an order to stop Muslims from using the Masjid and announced it as a museum.

3. The Turkish court examined that order of Mustafa Kamal and found it illegal.

4. When a place is made a Masjid, it remains Masjid till the Day of Judgement.

No one is allowed to change a Masjid.

Wassalam.

79305

Mosque . Christianity . Cathedral . Ottoman Empire

Is it allowed in Islam to convert a church to a mosque after winning a war as was done after the Ottomans won the war in Constantinople and turned Aya Sophia cathedral into a mosque?

During the government of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) and Ameerul Mo'mineen (AS), they did not convert any church into Mosque. It is left to the people of the area whether they want to remain Christians, so, church will remain as a church for them, but if they opt to be Muslims willingly and want to use the place as a Mosque, they are free to do that.

Islam does not confiscate the religious places of other communities.

Wassalam.