How to Enter a Mosque for Worship

Mosques are central to Muslim community life.

Entering an unfamiliar mosque poses a challenge to new and experienced Muslims, as mosque policies and layouts vary. Some mosques have strict dress codes; some do not admit women. Not all mosques are open for all five daily prayers. Researching the mosque you plan to attend will help you avoid embarrassing mistakes. There are also traditional prayers and acts of worship that Muslims perform upon entering a mosque, and these enhance the experience for some Muslims.

Instructions

1. Look up contact information for the mosque you wish to attend by using sites like Islamic Finder or Salatomatic. Visit their website if available, or call to find out if they are open during the time you wish to attend. Ask if the mosque has a dress code, and get specific details of what is required or prohibited. Ask if the mosque has separate entrances for men and women. Ask if there are separate prayer halls for men and women.

2. Dress modestly, but well. The Koran directs Muslims to wear their "beautiful clothing at every place of prayer". Check your appearance in the mirror to make sure you meet the mosque's dress code.

3. Approach the mosque at the appropriate entrance. If there are separate entrances for men and women, enter using the entrance used by others of your gender. If no separate entrance is specified, use the main entrance. Return any greetings you may receive.

4. Step into the mosque with your right foot, saying, "Bismillah; Allahumma iftah lee abwaaba rahmatika," (In the name of Allah; Oh Allah, open Your doors of mercy for me). This is traditional, but not required.

5. Look for pairs of shoes, or people removing them, to indicate where you should remove and leave your shoes. Remove and leave your shoes and then make wudu (the washing process needed after minor impurities such as using the toilet or passing gas), if needed.

6. Enter the prayer hall. If there is only one prayer hall, men should sit as close to the front as possible and women should sit as close to the back as possible. Find the mihrab, or niche in the wall indicating the direction where you should face to pray. If other people are praying, they will face this direction. Pray two rakat, or cycles of prayer, unless congregational prayer is already in progress, in which case you join the prayer in progress.

Tips & Warnings

• The two rakat made upon entering the mosque are traditional but not mandatory.

• If you do not know how to pray, consult the guides in the Resources, "Muttaqun Online: The Salah" and "Islamicity: Manner of Performing Prayers"

• Mosque dress codes can vary, but often require covering the body and the head and may prohibit certain colors for women or require that tattoos be covered.

• Shi'a Muslims may pray using a clay tablet that they press their foreheads to in prostration. Sunni mosques do not supply these, so Shi'a Muslims have to bring their own to a Sunni mosque.

References

• Proper Etiquette of Entering Mosques: Worldwide Fatwa Management and Research Institute
• Absolute Essentials of Islam; Faraz Rabbani; 2004
• Citadel of the Believer; Sa'eed al-Qahtaani; 1997

Resources

• Hounslow Jamia Masjid & Islamic Centre: Mosque Etiquette
• Salatomatic: Your Guide to Mosques and Islamic Schools
• Islamic Finder
• Muttaqun Online: The Salah
• Islamicity: Manner of Performing Prayers