Principles of Islam
28. The Mosque
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The mosque, initially intended as a place of
worship, has come to be built to serve other related
purposes, such as housing the madrasa, library,
lecture hall, guesthouse and dispensary etc.
According to a hadith the Prophet advised the
building of mosques in a simple style, so that there
should be no dissipation or dilution of the true
religious and spiritual atmosphere.
All mosques (with the exception of three) are of
equal religious standing, whether large or small,
plainly conceived or architecturally magnificent.
The three mosques, which have a greater degree of
sanctity because of their historical and religious
associations, are the Masjid-e-Haram in Mecca,
Prophet’s mosque in Medina and the Dome of the
Rock in Jerusalem.
