Question: Masjid

[Emani]

I am a new(er) convert who is interested in visiting the masjid (is it masjid or mosque?) and was looking for some information on what to expect. What does the masjid look like? What do I do when I walk in? Will I know where to go, who to talk to?

What am I supposed to wear?

What is type of etiquette or manners should I know about before I visit for the first time?

I was a Catholic before and I am used to attending church. Are there any similarities between mass and what takes place at the masjid?

Thank you for any responses.

Signed, Emani Jr.

[.: Anna :.]

salam sis
i gave u access to the new muslim section which we have here :)
to answer.. firstly its masjid in arabic and mosque in english, u can call it either, if u call it masjid that is cool no problem :up:

different masjids look different, because in the west some are purpose built and some are converted from houses or other buildings. like these are some pics:

http://www.milesfaster.co.uk/gallery/london-images/london-central-mosque.jpg

regents park mosque from outside

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/england/images/london/central-mosque/nik_034.jpg
thats the inside, the mens section

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41306000/jpg/_41306450_finsbury203300.jpg
thats finsbury park mosque

cant find any pics of ones converted from house but anyway u will recognise they should have some kind of a sign on it which makes it clear. some of them also say islamic centre or something like that, but u can go in and pray.

okay so when u go in firstly u need to find where is the sisters section because they are 99% likely to have a seperate area, or some dont have womens facilities but normally that is the smaller ones. sisters section often located either upstairs or in basement, or off to the side.. if u see any women u can ask them and they will show u, or even ask a bro where the sisters door is they will tell u aswell.

if u need to go and get some info from the imam or talk about anything best if u take ur husband aswell, and sometimes they have offices like regents park i think on the 1st floor they have that and some office for the new reverts to go and talk? i have not actually been in that.. but i think they do.

okay so anyway if u were going just to pray, if it is for the congregational prayer first u hear the adhan.. then they have a gap while people come and get ready and enter the mosque to pray, and this is a good time to make dua/supplications in between the adhan and the iqaama. then they do the iqaama u all stand up in a straight row and pray following the imaam. depending which salah it is, he will read the surahs loud or quietly.

oh also when u enter the masjid before sitting down, u can pray 2 rukats of tahiyatul masjid, to greet the masjid.. its the same as any 2 rukats like u would make for fajr.

if there are any sisters there in the section and u want to talk, u can just go up and say assalaamu alaykum, and tell them u are a new muslim and ask them anything u want, insha allah they should help you :)

if you go and pray and its not the jamat/congregation time then u wont be able to follow the imam but just pray it by urself in the masjid in the same way which u would do at home.

mass i think is where they do a sermon or talk right? im actually from a catholic family too but i dont have a clue about it lol sorry :o but on friday we have jumuah so i think this is the most similar. what happens is u go around the thohr time (specific time they hold jumuah should be written somewhere, maybe 12 or 1 something like that depending which masjid). when u go the imam does a khutbah (Speech) about ne islamic issue, like reminding about something, talking about some ahadith or an ayah of quran, or about current world situation from an islamic point of view.. depends on the imam and the mosque, but should be a different one each week. then after the khutbah, u will all pray 2 rukahs in congregation.

also in the masjid sometimes u can find classes, like for how to recite the quran properly, how to learn arabic, how to learn about islam and different matters. sometimes it could be a circle in the sisters area on a weekly basis, which could be useful for u to learn and also making friends from the masjid. sometimes they have a lecture where u can come and listen. also some masjids have a bookshop attached or very near, where u can get islamic literature, and also items like hijabs, abayahs, and other daily things. some have a food place aswell where u can buy a halal meal, depends how big the masjid is really.

ettiquette and manners, i think insha allah cover, i dont know whether u are doing it yet in daily life or if you are very new and not moved on to that yet.. but when u go to the masjid its better to cover ur head and wear lose clothes. that is for respect for the masjid and people there, but also some people wont realise that u are a new convert and they might be rude without realising, which can put u off and upset you, so for urself its better to make sure u avoid that. if u dont know how to wear hijab properly etc dont worry cos u can ask the women in the mosque and they can show u no problem, as long as people can see that u tried. oh and take ur shoes off and leave them in the rack or designated space.

when u enter the mosque its good if u can put ur right foot inside first, and say the supplication to urself "allahuma-ftah lee abwaaba rahmatik" or if it is difficult say to urself in english "oh allah open for me the doors of ur mercy" which is the meaning :)

hmm i cant think what else but if u have questions u can ask here or in the new muslims section insha allah

i think u said ur from america right? otherwise if ur from london i could take u and show u..

if u do feel apprehensive or anything about going by urself, well u dont need to, but i understand some people might.. if u do know ne muslim in ur area u can ask and go together?