Islamic Sacred Spaces
ELements of an Islamic Sacred Space
SACRED TEXT
Their are two sacred texts in the Islamic religion, the Quran and Hadiths. The Quran is the most sacred text as it is believed to be the literal word of God that was recited by Muhammad and written 30 years later. The secondary sacred text is the Hadiths that is a record of the saying of Muhammad and his followers. Both of these sacred texts form part of the Islamic theology, practice and Islamic Law (Sharia).
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Symbols
Star and Crescent
Other than representing the religion it contains the features of the flags of many countries in the Islamic World, prominently Turkey and Pakistan. It is sometimes used white with a green background to represent its popularisation during the Ottoman Empire.
The name "Allah"
When the word Allah is used as a symbol the letters appear decorated and represent the admiration of Muslims towards God.
The Colour Green
It is the official colour of Islam and it is valued for its association with life therefore making it important to the idea of paradise in Islam.
The Kaaba
The Kaaba is the most sacred place in Islam, a mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is in the shape of a black "cube" and pictures often show Muslims dressed in white walking around it in prayer. Various images of the Kaaba, real or drawn, are often used in Islam.
Mosque
Mosques are used as imagery other than the physical sacred space that represents the sacredness and praise of a Mosque.
Other than representing the religion it contains the features of the flags of many countries in the Islamic World, prominently Turkey and Pakistan. It is sometimes used white with a green background to represent its popularisation during the Ottoman Empire.
The name "Allah"
When the word Allah is used as a symbol the letters appear decorated and represent the admiration of Muslims towards God.
The Colour Green
It is the official colour of Islam and it is valued for its association with life therefore making it important to the idea of paradise in Islam.
The Kaaba
The Kaaba is the most sacred place in Islam, a mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is in the shape of a black "cube" and pictures often show Muslims dressed in white walking around it in prayer. Various images of the Kaaba, real or drawn, are often used in Islam.
Mosque
Mosques are used as imagery other than the physical sacred space that represents the sacredness and praise of a Mosque.
Actions and gEstures
Ceremonies and rituals
The Five Pillars of Islam are the five religious duties expected for every Muslim. The rituals and ceremonies of the Islamic religion come from the Five Pillars of Islam which include:
The Profession of Faith - Shahada
It is the prerequisite for membership to the Muslim community and an affirmation of Faith. Muslims are required to have said this prayer at least once in their lifetime although it mostly forms part of the daily prayers. It encourages true conviction and sincerity of mind in part of the worshipper. Muhammad proclaims this prayer to be able to summarise one third of the sacred text of the Quran.
Ritual Prayer - Salat
Muslims are required to pray 5 times a day. Before the prayer there is a ritual cleansing and purification. Prayer itself consists of three or four cycles of ritual bowing and prostration along with recitation of parts of the Koran and other prayers in Arabic. Muslims may pray anywhere but the favoured places are the mosques. What calls Muslims to prayer is a muezzin, which announces it is time to pray. The prayers always have to be done in direction to Mecca. All prayers end in the phrase, "May peace, mercy and blessings be upon you."
Almsgiving - Zakat
Muslims are required to pay a tax calculated on the basis of their possession and income. It ensures salvation in the afterlife and encourages helping other people with charity.
Fasting - Swam
In the ninth month of the islamic calendar, Ramadan, Muslims are require to not engage in eating, drinking and sexual activities between sunrise and sundown. Nursing and pregnant mothers and children may break free from this ritual. This is a very important ritual because it represents the time the Quran was revealed to Muhammad.
Pilgrimage to Mecca - Hajj
All of the Muslims that are able to are encouraged to visit Mecca at least once in their lifetime. This pilgrimage takes place in the twelfth month of the Islamic Calendar. All muslims wear white when performing this rite to represent how they are all equal to the eyes of Allah. The Holy Places of Islam are visited as well. Amongst this places, muslims mostly visit Mecca but also travel to Medina and nearby Minah. They commemorate and celebrate aspects of Islamic History and Faith as well cleanse themselves completely of sins.
The Profession of Faith - Shahada
It is the prerequisite for membership to the Muslim community and an affirmation of Faith. Muslims are required to have said this prayer at least once in their lifetime although it mostly forms part of the daily prayers. It encourages true conviction and sincerity of mind in part of the worshipper. Muhammad proclaims this prayer to be able to summarise one third of the sacred text of the Quran.
Ritual Prayer - Salat
Muslims are required to pray 5 times a day. Before the prayer there is a ritual cleansing and purification. Prayer itself consists of three or four cycles of ritual bowing and prostration along with recitation of parts of the Koran and other prayers in Arabic. Muslims may pray anywhere but the favoured places are the mosques. What calls Muslims to prayer is a muezzin, which announces it is time to pray. The prayers always have to be done in direction to Mecca. All prayers end in the phrase, "May peace, mercy and blessings be upon you."
Almsgiving - Zakat
Muslims are required to pay a tax calculated on the basis of their possession and income. It ensures salvation in the afterlife and encourages helping other people with charity.
Fasting - Swam
In the ninth month of the islamic calendar, Ramadan, Muslims are require to not engage in eating, drinking and sexual activities between sunrise and sundown. Nursing and pregnant mothers and children may break free from this ritual. This is a very important ritual because it represents the time the Quran was revealed to Muhammad.
Pilgrimage to Mecca - Hajj
All of the Muslims that are able to are encouraged to visit Mecca at least once in their lifetime. This pilgrimage takes place in the twelfth month of the Islamic Calendar. All muslims wear white when performing this rite to represent how they are all equal to the eyes of Allah. The Holy Places of Islam are visited as well. Amongst this places, muslims mostly visit Mecca but also travel to Medina and nearby Minah. They commemorate and celebrate aspects of Islamic History and Faith as well cleanse themselves completely of sins.
The Hajj is one of the occasions in Muslim life were many important rituals take place in a number of days. This video takes a personal day to day experience throughout the Hajj demonstrating the ecstasy muslims have towards completing this Muslim task. This documentary also proves the importance and value of the place of origin of the Islam religion and how the Saudi Arabian government has to adapt for the Hajj to take place.
Famous Sacred Places
This sacred spaces have contributed to important Islamic history and because of that have acquire great importance and holiness.
Prayers
Prayers in Islam have similar purposes to the prayers in Christianity. Prayers cleanses sin, empowers worship (servanthood towards Allah) and supplicates for divine aid. It is an obligation for a Muslim to have five daily prayers that contain recitations from the Quran, movements and prayers according to their individual purpose. Muslims can pray just about anywhere if they contain the requirements but it is preferable to pray in a mosque as it encourages how Allah sees everyone as equal. During prayer, Muslims must act as if Allah was there with them. Before each prayer they must cleanse themselves in a certain way to achieve effectiveness from the prayer. The movements and recitation of the obligatory prayer may have to be repeated in a cycle according to the day and time.
Requirements and Features of Sacred Spaces
Because the ritual prayers can take place just about anywhere, here are some of the requirements for a sacred space to be effective for prayer.
Purity (Taharah): Muslims prayer space must be completely clean. This is the reason why most Muslims decide to use prayer rugs that are kept clean for the ritual prayers.
Direction (qiblah): The islamic sacred space must always face Mecca. To offer their prayers to the House of God located in Mecca.
The features of a sacred space may include:
Islamic Art: Islamic mosques and sacred spaces often contain walls with geometric shapes and patterns.
Sahn: Fountains of water inside the courtyard to symbolise purity and a place for Muslims to clean themselves before prayer.
Minaret: A tower from which the muezzin calls to Muslims to prayer.
Mihrab: An empty arch which indicates the direction to Mecca
Minbar: A pulpit from which the imam (prayer leader) gives the sermons and leads prayers.
Purity (Taharah): Muslims prayer space must be completely clean. This is the reason why most Muslims decide to use prayer rugs that are kept clean for the ritual prayers.
Direction (qiblah): The islamic sacred space must always face Mecca. To offer their prayers to the House of God located in Mecca.
The features of a sacred space may include:
Islamic Art: Islamic mosques and sacred spaces often contain walls with geometric shapes and patterns.
Sahn: Fountains of water inside the courtyard to symbolise purity and a place for Muslims to clean themselves before prayer.
Minaret: A tower from which the muezzin calls to Muslims to prayer.
Mihrab: An empty arch which indicates the direction to Mecca
Minbar: A pulpit from which the imam (prayer leader) gives the sermons and leads prayers.