Most important mosques: A mosque (masjid) is a place of prostration to Allah and the centre of community life for Muslims, and it holds deep symbolic meaning for them. The mosque’s primary role is to provide a place where Muslims can gather for prayer. Moreover, mosques are recognized worldwide for their architecture and, more particularly, for their general vitality for the Muslims.
More than just a place of worship, the mosque plays an important and authoritative role in Muslim cultural and political life, with immediate social ramifications. Mosques are the heart of Islamic life, instilling Islamic ideals in Muslims who learn to embody Islamic cultural and religious principles and live as true Muslims.
What are The Most Important Mosques for Muslims?
Some mosques are often used as gathering places for Muslims to address things related to religion and also for religious education. It is not only a place for praying but also the heart of the religion and the site of many popular pieces of Islamic art.
Here are some of the most important mosques in Islam:
# 1 – Masjid al Haram
Masjid al Haram is the world’s largest mosque. It is located in Makkah and surrounds the Kaaba, which is Islam’s holiest site and to which Muslims from all over the world turn while offering regular prayers. The Grand Mosque is another name for the mosque. Some traditions mention that angels built or circled a house of worship before the creation of mankind, but the authenticity of such reports varies.
According to Islamic tradition, when God ordained a place of worship on Earth to represent the house in heaven known as al-Baytul-Ma’mur means the place where angels worship. The Quran (2:127) tells us that Prophet Ibrahim and his son Prophet Ismail (peace be upon them) raised the foundations of the Kaaba. Pilgrims will find our guide on how to perform Hajj helpful. The Mosque has been destroyed by floods many times and had to be rebuilt. If you’re planning a visit there, I highly recommend that you go through these Things That You Must Do In Makkah.
# 2 – Masjid al Nabwi
Masjid al Nabwi is Islam’s second holiest mosque and the world’s second-largest mosque, after Mecca’s Masjid al-Haram. It is the Prophet Muhammad’s final resting place. It was constructed next to the house where the Prophet stayed after he migrated to Medina.
Over the years, subsequent Islamic rulers continued to expand and embellish the mosque. Under King Fahd’s reign, the mosque was greatly expanded, allowing it to accommodate a large number of worshippers and pilgrims while also introducing modern conveniences such as air conditioning. He also added twenty-seven moving domes to Masjid Nabawi’s roof. Here’s a list of The Best Things to do in Medina for a Memorable Trip.
# 3 – Masjid e Aqsa
Al-Aqsa Mosque is one of the world’s largest and most important mosques, as well as the oldest in Palestine. According to a hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, it was the second mosque established on earth, forty years after Masjid al-Haram. It is the first qibla of Muslims and one of the three mosques to which a journey is specially recommended. Its structures were damaged and rebuilt many times over history.
After the conquest of Jerusalem, the Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) had a place of prayer established at the site. During Al-Isra wal-Mi’raj, the Prophet (peace be upon him) was taken by night from Masjid al-Haram to Al-Aqsa, where he led the prophets in prayer, and from there ascended through the heavens, where the five daily prayers were prescribed. The western wall of the compound, known to Jews as the Wailing Wall, is revered by them as a remnant of the Second Temple, while Muslims call it the al-Buraq Wall, as it is traditionally associated with where the Prophet tied al-Buraq.
# 4 – Ummayad Mosque
The Umayyad Mosque, also called the Great Mosque of Damascus, is one of the world’s oldest and largest mosques, situated in Damascus’ old city. The Umayyad Mosque in Damascus was one of the first ancient structures designed in Islamic architecture.
This mosque is significant in Islam because of historical and eschatological accounts and events associated with it. The mosque was constructed on the site of a Christian basilica dedicated to John the Baptist, who is revered as a prophet by Christians, after the Muslim conquest of Damascus in the 630s. The Umayyad caliph al-Walid I built the present mosque in the early 8th century.
# 5 – Hagia Sophia
When the Ottomans conquered Constantinople in 1453, Hagia Sophia, which had been founded as a Christian Orthodox church and had served that purpose for centuries, was converted into a mosque. Conversion of places of worship after the conquest was the practice until recently.
As Rome converted to Christianity, Roman temples became churches, and when Spain was reconquered, many mosques became churches. In the 1930s its use as a mosque ended and it was turned into a museum (1934).
More recently, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a presidential decree reopening the Hagia Sophia as a place of prayer and worship and converting it back to a mosque. The Azaan has been resonating from Hagia Sophia’s minarets since its conversion to a mosque. If you like traveling, do go through these Halal Destinations & Top 10 Muslim Countries You Should Visit.
# 6 – Ibrahimi Mosque in Palestine
The Tomb of the Patriarchs, also known to Muslims as Ibrahimi Mosque, is the main attraction in Hebron for most tourists (Ibrahim is the Muslim name for Abraham). Both Muslims and Jews revere the site; hence separate prayer spaces for each. The cave below, which resembles painted tents, is the location that both Jews and Muslims believe Abraham chose as his family’s final resting place.
The enclosure around the cave dates to the Herodian period (note the Herodian stones at the base of the walls). The Byzantines later built a church there, which was converted to a mosque after the Muslim conquest in the 7th century. The site remains politically sensitive today.
# 7 – Eyup Sultan Mosque
During the Arab attack and siege of Constantinople, Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him), a Companion of the Prophet who died during the Muslim campaign against Constantinople, is traditionally believed to be buried here.
Sultan Mehmet II intended to construct a grand Mosque to mark the site of Ayub’s grave, which was discovered outside the city walls shortly after the Conquest. In Turkish popular tradition it is regarded as one of the most sacred sites of Istanbul, though the formal ranking of holiest sites is only for Makkah, Medina and Jerusalem.
# 8 – The Great Mosque of Sidi-Uqba/Kairoun
The majestic building, which dates back to 670, is Africa’s oldest Muslim Mosque. It was founded by Uqba ibn Nafi, the founder of Kairouan (the mosque is also known as the Sidi Uqba Mosque). The Great Mosque of Kairouan has long been a pilgrimage site for North Africans unable to make the long journey to Mecca. A popular local saying that seven visits to Kairouan equal one Hajj has no basis in the Quran or authentic hadith; Hajj to Makkah is a pillar of Islam that nothing else replaces.
Conclusion
During Prophet’s time, both men and women were partners in society, especially within the mosque’s institution. They took part in prayers, social gatherings, as well as administrative and educational tasks. Women also demanded that they be scheduled to meet with the Prophet on a particular day.
Mosques must attract, or at the very least accept, youth and children to encourage them to engage, learn, and appreciate the mosque’s atmosphere and teach them proper social behavior and reverence for their elders. There is no better example than the Prophet, who allowed children to participate in mosque activities. Finally, if mosques continue to play the unique position they once did in the past, they can be regarded as distinct institutions around the globe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which are the three mosques to which a journey is specially recommended?
A well-known hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim names Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, Masjid al-Nabawi in Madinah and Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem. Visiting other mosques is still good, but these three carry special merit.
Is prayer in Masjid al-Haram really worth a hundred thousand prayers?
Reports to this effect exist (Ibn Majah, Ahmad) and many scholars accept them, while some discuss the grading of the wording. Whatever the exact multiple, the reward is great, and it is best to offer your prayers there with sincerity.
Can I pray in a mosque that was once a church or museum?
Prayer is valid wherever a place is lawfully available and clean. Views on converting historic buildings differ among scholars and communities. For a specific situation, ask a qualified scholar.
Are women allowed to pray in mosques?
Yes. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said not to prevent the female servants of Allah from the mosques of Allah (Sahih Muslim), although scholars note that praying at home is also valid and, in some schools, preferred for women. Local practice and facilities vary.
What manners should I follow when visiting a mosque?
Enter with the right foot and a dua, dress modestly, be in a state of wudu, pray two units of greeting prayer if time permits, and keep your voice low. See our Friday etiquette guide for more.