Posted: November 19th, 2022

Analysis of the Muslim Religion

Analysis of the Muslim Religion

In my community, there is a Muslim religious group that I am not familiar with. This religious group meets in a mosque that is located in the locality. They meet for prayers every day but their Friday meetings are longer since they receive sermons on this day. On top of this, they have special days that allowed for visits for non-Muslims.
These Muslims in the locality are very accommodative. They welcome visitors into their mosque. This they believe is a way of promoting intercultural understanding and as well as forging bonds within this community. This creates a positive image to their visitors. These visits are welcome as long as they are not during special events such as Ramadhan period. One entering a mosque requires one to show respect and reverence.
Dressing in a mosque is usually modest for all men and women. Men visitors are expected to wear long loose clothing that is made from natural materials of cotton and linen. The trousers should be ankle length that is not supposed to be tight. Shorts, jeans and other forms of clothing that expose the body are discouraged. On top of this shoes are not allowed in the mosque so as one plans to visit a mosque, one should consider wearing clean and presentable socks. Women Muslims, as well as observers, are expected to wear modest attire. Headscarves are usually required. Short skirts and tight trousers are prohibited. All clothes are expected to be ankle length. Their blouses should cover their arms as well as necks. This is usually seen as a sign of respect.
All activities that take place in a mosque are strictly Muslim thus visitors are expected to only observe. Thus they only play a passive role. As one visits a mosque one needs to acquaint themselves with greetings as they enter the mosque. They call their place of worship Masjid. Common greetings are in Arabic for instance “Assalamu Alaikum” which usually means peace be upon you the common response to this greeting is usually “A ‘alaikum-as-salam” that means peace be upon you too”.
I did my visit during my research, it was during a prayer day. Mobile phones are usually switched off or turned off. Men and women enter the prayer hall by separate entrances. As one enters the prayer hall one should not offer or expect to receive greetings by shaking hands with people of the opposite sex. As the Muslims enter for service, they perform "wudhu" which is cleansing especially if one has not done it at home. For visitors, they are not expected to take place in this. This is because they are not expected to be part of the prayers.
In the prayer hall, members sit and pray on the fall. Chairs are only available for visitors who sit at the rear of the hall or for the elderly. Visitors who choose to sit on the floor one should avoid pointing your feet in the direction of the Qibla. The Qibla is usually the wall that has the niche or alcove in it that indicates the direction of Makkah. During the whole proceedings, visitors are expected to remain seated. Visitors are however welcome to participate in the salat or namaz which is part of the daily prayers.
Prayer proceedings are usually led by an imam. He leads the congregation from the front and usually faces towards the direction of Makkah as well as the rest of the congregation. The congregation usually forms straight lines and usually act in unison during the entire prayer and they usually follow the motions of the Imam. The Imam usually recites certain portions of the prayer loudly and other portions silently. These recitations are usually short verses of the Quran. There usually no holy objects or sacred objects in the masjid apart from the Quran on bookshelves on the side walls or in other places in the prayer hall. The believers do not offer offerings or carry out other blessings such as food during the salat.
There are certain norms and culture that need to be observed in the mosque. One may not draw sketches of what they see or hear in mosques. This is usually seen as very disrespectful to draw such a visual representation. This is especially so to do with its prophets. This is because it is seen as idol worship. It is usually felt to be respectful to interrupt one as they pray in the mosque. This is because such people are believed to be in communication with their God. Believers are not allowed to run in such a scenario.
As one enters the masjid they should do so with their right foot first and then follow what the prophet says. “Besmellah. In the name of Allah, O Allah, open for me the gates of your mercy". As one enters the masjid the Muslim should offer greetings as a sign of peace. These greetings should be replied with a hand gesture. Once one is in the mosque he or she is in the presence of Allah and therefore such time should be dedicated to prayers and speaking to Allah. They should keep themselves busy supplicating as well as remembering Allah. Thus no other activities are tolerated in the mosque. One is in prayer as long as they are waiting for prayers in the masjid.
Muslims place something in front of them during the prayer service so as to act as a barrier between them and the passers-by and those sitting in front of them. Even in such a scenario, one is not allowed to pass in front of a praying believer. This is seen as a sign of disrespect and is treated as a sin. It was better for such a person to forego such a scenario and wait for such a person to finish their prayer. In the masjid, a person should sit where they find a place where they see a spot to sit. Such a believer should not skip people or squeeze themselves between two people who are already seated.
This was my analysis on the Muslims living in my locality.