The Teachings of Islam
The Mosque
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THE MOSQUE
Whereas there is a plethora of old forts in most
countries, they are remarkably scarce in Muslim
lands. The skyline of Muslim towns is dominated
more by the lofty minarets of mosques. This shows
the difference between the Islamic and non-Islamic
temperament. Non-Muslims rely on their own
strategies; Muslims place total trust in God. This
explains why non-Muslims have always erected
forts for their own protection and security, while
Muslims have built mosques wherever they
achieved supremacy. Massive castles testify to
man’s greatness, whereas mosques, in which
Muslims glorify God, are a reminder to present and
future generations of the greatness of God.
A mosque is, locally, a focal point for Muslims, just
as the Ka‘bah in Makkah is for Muslims all over the
world. The Ka‘bah is a world religious centre and
the mosque a local one. That is why the same word
for the direction in which one faces to pray—
qiblah
has been used in the Qur’an for both the Holy
Ka‘bah and also local mosques. Prayer is a symbol
of a life of faith, and houses of worship, mosques,
