What Are the Main Features of a Mosque?
Quick Answer
There are various main features of mosques throughout the world: the sahn (courtyard), the mihrab (niche), the minaret (tower) and the qubba (dome). A mosque is a Muslim gathering place for prayer, where all men are required to gather for the Friday afternoon prayer. Mosques are also used by Muslims throughout the week for study, rest and reflection.
Continue ReadingFull Answer
The sahn is usually attached to the prayer hall that provides room for the congregation and fountains for the ablutions, a ritual cleansing performed before prayer. The mihrab is a niche in the wall that indicates the direction of Mecca, where all Muslims face during prayer. The minaret is attached to the mosque. It serves as a reminder of the presence of Islam. It is also the place from where prayers are called. The qubba is the most recognizable feature of a mosque. It is a dome that symbolizes the vault of heaven. Mosques normally have one to three domes.
Most mosques have similar furnishings. There is usually large calligraphic frieze or inscribed cartouche above the mihrab with quotations from the Koran, the holy book of Islam. Most mosques also have hanging lamps. Mosques often have institutions such as soup kitchens, hospitals, schools and even mausoleums attached to them.
Learn more about IslamRelated Questions
-
Q:
What Are Islamic Places of Worship?
A: Islamic places of worship are called mosques. A mosque is not only a place of worship but a center for the Muslim community. It is also a key place for int... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
How Many Mosques Are There in the United States?
A: As of 2010, the number of mosques in the United States stood at 2,106, up 74 percent from 1,209 mosques in 2000. The states with the most mosques include N... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
How Many Mosques Are There in the World?
A: As of 2010, statistics show that approximately 1.5 billion people practice the Muslim faith, and this makes it virtually impossible to calculate the number... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
How Do Muslims Practice Their Traditions in the United States?
A: Muslims practice their traditions in the United States by praying at home and at work, attending religious services at mosques, reading the Quran, fasting ... Full Answer >Filed Under:
