Muslims love to showcase Islam. When I take groups to the mosque to observe a Friday(Jumaa) prayer service, I give the person in charge a heads up. The 5 daily required prayers currently
start at 6:45 a.m. and end at 8 p.m., adjusted as the sunrise/sunset changes. Here is what my friend Dallas and I prepared for a recent
group (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWOKB5EzHSo):
Friday prayer order:
1. Wudhu(ablutions) – ceremonial washing of head,
hands/ forearms, and feet, performed before entering prayer hall--or simply shower at home before arrival
2. Khutba(sermon) – for about 20 minutes,
right after the Adhan(prayer call)
3. Salat(prayer) right after the 2nd call to prayer(Iqamah) – memorized Arabic prayers in 4 different postures(standing, bowing, prostrating, kneeling)
4. Zakat(alms)--usually collected after the prayer service.
When we arrive, some Muslims will be going through 2 identical sets of prayers before the sermon begins. Once they are done many pick up a Qur'an from the shelf off to one side and start reading to prepare their hearts. The sermon begins at 12:45(1:45 daylight saving). The leader gives the prayer call, recites from the Qur’an in Arabic, and delivers his sermon. At the 2nd prayer call, all will form parallel lines to lines in the carpet and face Mecca.
‘Allah Akhbar’(God is the greatest) is recited 6 times in each prayer call. Following 2 more sets of prayer, the worshiper greets the recording angel on his right and left shoulders.
Muslims also pray personal prayers called ‘dua’ before or after the regular prayers or thumb through prayer beads with the 99 names of God for extra merit.
4. Zakat(alms)--usually collected after the prayer service.
When we arrive, some Muslims will be going through 2 identical sets of prayers before the sermon begins. Once they are done many pick up a Qur'an from the shelf off to one side and start reading to prepare their hearts. The sermon begins at 12:45(1:45 daylight saving). The leader gives the prayer call, recites from the Qur’an in Arabic, and delivers his sermon. At the 2nd prayer call, all will form parallel lines to lines in the carpet and face Mecca.
‘Allah Akhbar’(God is the greatest) is recited 6 times in each prayer call. Following 2 more sets of prayer, the worshiper greets the recording angel on his right and left shoulders.
Muslims also pray personal prayers called ‘dua’ before or after the regular prayers or thumb through prayer beads with the 99 names of God for extra merit.
Protocol for the mosque:
- Dress modestly...for women: long sleeves, long skirt or pants, nothing tight, a loose scarf on your head, men dress respectively
- Remove shoes before entering prayer hall
- Normally greet people of the same gender...wait for conversation after their prayer. Simply "Hello" or Arabic: salam a laykum(peace be unto you), response: wa laykum a salam
- Discreetly observe Muslims performing mandatory ablutions
- Men and women sit and pray separately in the prayer hall
- Sit quietly at the back on the floor as a group during prayers. Pray for Muslims present
- No pictures
Attitude during your visit:
- Come to observe and learn
- Speak with respect--no negative comments about Islam
- Be friendly and smile!
- Build trust--avoid arguments(about Jesus' divinity, Trinity, Israel, etc.)
- If a Muslim tries to convert you--listen with respect
- When appropriate share your faith--an answer to prayer, etc.
- No loud laughter. Be reverent and in constant prayer during the visit
- Connected with someone? Meet again one-on-one
- Where are your roots--where did your family come from? "Welcome to _____!"
- What do you like best about being a Muslim? Then share what you like about being a Christian/follower of Jesus!
- What is the hardest thing about being a Muslim?
- What does a Muslim believe will get him into Paradise?
- Have you read the "Injeel"(New Testament)? Would you like to have one?
Questions to think about during your visit:
- How do I feel visiting a mosque?
- What did I learn?
- What do I see that is in line with Scripture? What do I see that goes against Scripture?
- What is God's will for the people in this mosque?
- What unanswered questions come to mind?
Read the first chapter of the Qur’an beforehand. It is a short prayer of seven verses, recited 17 times each day in ritual prayers. http://quran.com/1.Dear God, thank-you for our knowledge that you love all people. Help me to communicate your grace to Muslims. Amen.
