Mosque

A mosque is a place of worship for followers of the Islamic faith. Masǧid or Masjid (pl. masajid) (Arabic: مسجد?pronounced: /{{IPA|mas.ˈɡʲid}}/ or /{{IPA|mas.ˈʤid}}/) is one of two Arabic terms for a mosque. This term is used widely throughout the Islamic world, and the word masjid is widely preferred by many Muslims. Mosques were known to the English-speaking world before being called "mosques" but in the 15th, 16th and 17th century there were many variations of the word such as: "moseak", "muskey", "moschy", "mos'keh", until it was was decided to use "mosquee", imitating the Middle French. This however had originally come from Italian and Old Spanish from the Arabic word for "temple", "masjid". This come from the Arabic root sajad which means to prostrate; Islamic prayers require prostration. In the early 1700s, the modern spelling was used more and so became the standard spelling for this word. The other Arabic term is: جامع / (j?mi`) assembly; it is used for Friday-mosques, which must have a pulpit?most mosques do not.

Related Topics:
Place of worship - Islamic - Arabic - Pronounced - Muslim - Middle French - Italian - Old Spanish - Prostration - 1700s

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The first masjid in the world was the Kaaba in Mecca. The first masjid in Medina, a city north of Mecca, was the house of the Prophet Muhammad, to which the followers of Muhammad had withdrawn in 622. The reconstructions of Muhammad's house show a large courtyard containing a relatively small house. After many worshippers complained about the heat of the midday sun, Muhammad had a row of palm trunks erected on one side of the courtyard and a roof of palm fronds laid between the columns and the outer wall, creating a shaded prayer space. He himself stood at one end of this simple arcade to preach.

Related Topics:
Kaaba - Mecca - Medina - Prophet - Muhammad - Withdrawn - 622 - Palm - Arcade

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