How do you pray at a Mosque?

Question

I attended a Friday service at the Mosque last week. My husband has converted from Christianity to Muslim, and I was interested in learning more about Muslims. I was wondering how the women pray and what are they saying when they pray at the Mosque. I saw women put their hands by their faces and over their chest before bowing down on the mats. Can someone explain this process for me? THIS IS A SERIOUS QUESTION, IF YOU DO NOT KNOW THE ANSWER, THEN PLEASE DO NOT ANSWER! IF YOU DO NOT RESPECT PEOPLE'S RELIGIONS, OR THE FACT THAT PEOPLE HAVE RELIGIONS, THEN PLEASE DO NOT ANSWER!! INTELLIGENT ANSWERS ONLY! Thank you!

I WILL NEVER BE TREATED LIKE A DOG, SOME PEOPLE ARE SO IMMATURE-GROW UP!!!

MY HUSBAND IS NOT A WOMAN AND THEY PRAY A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY, THAT IS WHY I HAVE NOT ASKED HIM.

Answer 1

First of all congratulation on your husband's reversion to Islam. May Allah bless him, ease his journey, and bring you both happiness. The Muslim prayer sequence is the same for both men and women. There are meanings behind each movement let alone words one utters in prayer. For example you mentioned hands beside one face. When they put their hands beside their face (this motion is called takbir) , that's the motion in which symbolizes one putting this life aside/on hold and devoting ones time and focus towards the lord of the universe.

Here is a link that could help:

http://www.islamicity.com/Mosque/salat/salat9.htm

I'd like you to know before each prayer one makes ablution too. These are the steps of ablution if you'd also like to know:

http://www.islamicity.com/Mosque/salat/salat6.htm

peace unto you

Answer 2

Instead of asking a question a site where there are too many Islam bashers, why don't you contact a mosque. They will be very happy to help you. I took free classes in Islam at a mosque and I was given plenty of free reading material (remember, though, they do not turn down donations when offered, the mosque survives on donations.

Answer 3

You should ask this question from the leader (priest, mullah, etc.) of the mosque.

They can explain to you which kind of Islamic conversion your husband had, hence how to pray, since it varies depending on the answer you get.

Answer 4

I'm not bashing, and I'm not sure. I think it is similar to the Catholic practice of making the cross by pointing/touching the forehead, chest and each sholder.(sp?).
It is a way to enter a respectful place of prayer within your spirit.
Prayers are probably similar to Catholic, Christian, and other prayers, in that the subject is probably reverence for the Holy One, protection from evil, and surrender to the will of the Holy One.
To know for sure, befriend some of the women and talk with them. If your heart is open and you are seeking knowledge, they will respect you and answer your questions.

Answer 5

Muslims (meaning, who submits to the Divine) are commanded by God to pray five times a day. And to the surprise of non-muslims, all faithful muslims do that 365 days a year, everyday. Sometime non-muslims wonder, why so many times? Are these folks crazy or what?

There are thousand reasons why muslims pray five times a day. I can go on with a very long list, but i would like to just mention some very common sense reasons. One from Buddhist perspective another from Christian (or you can say mystical perspective).

The mystical perspective: When you are in love, don't you have this longing to call your beloved time and time again? Perhaps you wish to see or talk to him/her hundreds times if you are away from him/her. This experience is very common to all human heart who is in love.

All religion teaches you to love God, the Supreme Being. And muslims don't just say that, but in action do what love demands. Thats why they hasten to their Beloved time and time again, contemplate on the Divine. That is the secret of praying numerous time a day. From mystical point of view, God is the ultimate Lover and you communicate to your Beloved by your prayer. What else son of Adam have but prayer to communicate with Him?

Remember the verse: "...to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul"(Deuteronomy 11:13)

The Buddhist perspective: Buddha taught the great importance of mindfulness. It is prayer at set times are great tool to meditate and to have a mindful life. We often are too must swept away with our materialist day to day affairs. Muslims when they pray at prescribed time, they again come back to their soul, come back to their origin. It is a collective, mindful meditation that helps you not to forget who you are and where you belong. The art of mindfulness is applied very practically in regular prayer and meditation.

Now you may ask, pray regularly is ok. But isn't praying five times a day is too much? The simple answer is no, its not too much. Billions of muslims on earth do that. And even when they participate in this modern lifestyle.

when you are in a Mosque you have to stand by any woman's side and pray like them as the following .

these are two sites showing how to pray in Islam .
the first site has clearer instructions about how to pray


http://muslim-canada.org/salaat.html
http://islam.about.com/c/ht/01/03/How_Pray0985072209.htm?terms=muslims+pray

Thank you dear . I'm hope I gave you the answer needed .
PEACE !!

Answer 6

Thank you very much for your interest. I am a learned scholar of the Islamic Faith. In order to answer your question, you can email me your question again. I will be more than happy to answer you at my email.

Answer 7

Ask your converted husband. If he converted he should know how to pray as well, it will be easier to learn from your loving hubby. face to face.

Answer 8

Why in the world would you wish to convert to a religion that treats women worse than dogs? I only ask this because you appear to be a woman.

Answer 9

No need to go to the mosque , bend your back towards the window and request the god a special visit.

Answer 10

http://www.jannah.com/learn/flashprayer1.html here is the link but wait for it to work