A mosque, in Arabic masjid (مسجد), is the place where Muslims gather to pray. The word masjid means “place of prostration,” because the defining act of Islamic prayer is sujud: bowing the forehead to the ground before God. More than a building, a mosque is the heart of a Muslim community: a place of worship, learning, charity and gathering.
This guide explains what a mosque actually is, what role it plays in Islam, what its main features are, how mosque architecture has evolved, and how mosques differ from one country and tradition to another.
What makes a space a mosque?
Islam teaches that the entire earth can serve as a place of prayer. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said the whole world had been made a masjid for his community, so Muslims can pray in a park, an airport or a living room. A purpose-built mosque simply makes this easier and more communal by providing:
- a clean prayer hall, usually carpeted and free of furniture, so rows of worshippers can stand and prostrate together;
- a clear orientation toward the Qibla, the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca, marked by a niche called the mihrab;
- facilities for ablution (wudu), the ritual washing performed before prayer;
- often a minbar (pulpit) for the Friday sermon and a minaret from which the call to prayer is given.
We break these elements down in detail in parts of a mosque explained.
The role of the mosque
Prayer is the mosque’s primary purpose, especially the five daily prayers and the all-important Friday congregational prayer (Jumu‘ah). But historically and today, mosques do far more. They host Quran classes and lectures, distribute charity (zakat and sadaqah), shelter travellers, resolve disputes, celebrate weddings and mark the two Eid festivals. Read more in role of the mosque in Islam.
A short history
The first mosque was the Prophet’s own house in Medina, a simple courtyard of palm trunks and mud brick built in 622 CE. Within a century, Muslims were raising monumental mosques such as the Great Mosque of Damascus. From these roots grew the great regional styles, Ottoman, Persian, Mughal, West African and modern. Explore this in short history of mosques and Mosque architecture styles around the world.
Not all mosques are alike
Mosques range from vast state mosques holding tens of thousands of worshippers to a single rented room serving a handful of families. They reflect local architecture, language and the different schools and traditions within Islam. Our guide to Types of mosques and how they differ maps out this diversity.
Wherever you travel, a mosque is never far away, and it is almost always open to a respectful visitor in need of a quiet place to pray. Use MosqueFinder to find mosques anywhere in the world.
Planning to visit one?
If you have never set foot in a mosque, our companion guide Visiting a mosque walks you through the etiquette, dress and what to expect on your first visit, whether you are Muslim or simply curious.