Masjid (Mosque)
The Islamic house of worship, where Muslims gather for congregational prayer.
Masjid (Arabic: مسجد) literally means "place of prostration (sujud)" and is the Islamic house of worship where Muslims gather for the daily prayers, the Jumu'ah prayer and other religious activities.
A masjid is more than just a house of worship — it functions as a center for the Muslim community. Here the Quran is taught, lectures are held, Islamic holidays are celebrated, and the community is strengthened. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever builds a mosque for Allah's sake, Allah will build a house for him in Paradise."
The most important architectural elements of a masjid are: mihrab (prayer niche indicating the qibla direction), minbar (pulpit), minaret (tower from which the adhan is called), and wudu facilities. Mosques are found in all major cities, serving the Muslim community.
Related terms
Khums (One-Fifth)
The obligatory payment of one-fifth of the year's surplus in Shia Islam.
Tawakkul (Trust in Allah)
Total trust and reliance on Allah in all of life's matters.
Sunnah (Voluntary Prayer)
Voluntary prayers based on the Prophet's practice.
Du'a (Personal Supplication)
Personal address and supplication to Allah for help and guidance.
Amr bil-Ma'ruf wa Nahy 'an al-Munkar
Enjoining good and forbidding evil — an Islamic duty connected with prayer.
Ijtihad (Independent Legal Reasoning)
The independent interpretive effort to derive legal rules from the Islamic sources.