Worship, in Arabic ibadah, is the heart of a Muslim's life, and much of it is centred on the mosque. From the five prayers that punctuate every day, to the fast of Ramadan, to the once-in-a-lifetime journey of pilgrimage, Muslim worship follows patterns taught by the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and rooted in the Quran. This guide gives an overview of that worship and links to detailed articles on each part.
Islamic devotion is often summarised by the Five Pillars: the testimony of faith, prayer, almsgiving, fasting and pilgrimage. Prayer, fasting and pilgrimage are all acts of worship in the fullest sense, and each connects the believer to the mosque and to the wider community.
The five daily prayers
The salah, the ritual prayer performed five times a day, is the most visible act of Muslim worship. Fajr at dawn, Dhuhr after midday, Asr in the afternoon, Maghrib just after sunset and Isha at night together give shape to the day. Because these times are set by the position of the sun, they shift with your location and the season. Learn how each prayer works in our guide to the five daily prayers (Salah).
Facing the Kaaba: the Qibla
Wherever they are in the world, Muslims turn to face the Kaaba in Mecca when they pray. This direction is called the Qibla, and every mosque marks it with a niche in the wall known as the mihrab. Our guide to the Qibla explains the Qibla, why it matters and the different ways to find it, including how MosqueFinder shows it for any mosque.
The month of Ramadan
Once a year, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset for the whole month of Ramadan, abstaining from food, drink and other needs as an act of devotion and self-restraint. Evenings bring the iftar meal and, at the mosque, the special Tarawih prayers. The month ends with the festival of Eid al-Fitr. Read more in our guide to Ramadan and fasting (Sawm).
The pilgrimage to Mecca
At least once in a lifetime, every Muslim who is able is called to make the Hajj, the great pilgrimage to Mecca, retracing rites associated with the Prophet Ibrahim and his family. A shorter pilgrimage, the Umrah, can be made at any time of year. Our guide to Hajj and Umrah walks through the pillars, the state of ihram, the circling of the Kaaba and the key supplications.
The holiest mosques
Three mosques hold a special place in Islam. Two are known together as the Two Holy Mosques: Al-Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, which surrounds the Kaaba, and Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina, the Prophet's own mosque. Discover their history and scale in Two Holy Mosques. The third is Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem in Jerusalem, the first Qibla and a site of deep significance.
Worship, community and the mosque
Worship in Islam is rarely solitary. The mosque draws the community together for the five prayers, the Friday sermon, the nights of Ramadan and the festivals. If you have never entered a mosque, our companion guide on Visiting a mosque explains the etiquette and what to expect.
Wherever your travels take you, a place to pray is rarely far. Use MosqueFinder to find mosques near you, check their local prayer times, or explore them on the the interactive map.