Masjid: Difference between revisions
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Masjids are oriented so that the congregation faces in the direction of Mecca while doing Namaz. As in Gurdwaras shoes must be removed, but women are not permitted in the same room with the men as in Gurdwaras which says something about the equality, rather the lack of equality, of women in Islam. | Masjids are oriented so that the congregation faces in the direction of Mecca while doing Namaz. As in Gurdwaras shoes must be removed, but women are not permitted in the same room with the men as in Gurdwaras which says something about the equality, rather the lack of equality, of women in Islam. | ||
Muslims consider the soul of anyone's foot being pointed in their direction to be an insult. Therefore they face their beds away from the direction of Mecca. | |||
A related tale is told of [[Guru Nanak]]'s visit to Mecca. He had slept outdoors with his feet turned inadvertently towards the Ka'aba, which they consider to be the one Earthly House of God. The chief priest of the place came and said, | |||
:“O forgetful stranger! Awake and see your feet are turned toward the House of God!” | |||
The Guru replied: | |||
:“Is it so? Pray, turn my feet yourself in the direction where the House of God is not.” | |||
[[Category:Other Religions]] | [[Category:Other Religions]] | ||
Revision as of 21:03, 4 December 2007
Masjid is a Punjabi, Urdu, Hindi word meaning "mosque" or referring to the Muslim place of worship. A mosque is the place where people of the Islamic faith say their prayers called Nimaz. The devout muslim is supposed to say his or her prayer 5 times at day at proscribed times.
Masjids are oriented so that the congregation faces in the direction of Mecca while doing Namaz. As in Gurdwaras shoes must be removed, but women are not permitted in the same room with the men as in Gurdwaras which says something about the equality, rather the lack of equality, of women in Islam.
Muslims consider the soul of anyone's foot being pointed in their direction to be an insult. Therefore they face their beds away from the direction of Mecca.
A related tale is told of Guru Nanak's visit to Mecca. He had slept outdoors with his feet turned inadvertently towards the Ka'aba, which they consider to be the one Earthly House of God. The chief priest of the place came and said,
- “O forgetful stranger! Awake and see your feet are turned toward the House of God!”
The Guru replied:
- “Is it so? Pray, turn my feet yourself in the direction where the House of God is not.”
