I want to visit a mosque...?

Question

Is there anything in particular i should do? I'm female, so please consider that when you answer...

1) I don't own a hijab, should I buy one? Or will it be okay to just wear a scarf over my hair?

2) Will there be someone who I can talk to about Islamic religion who will be willing to answer questions?/Will there be some sort of religious education class?

3) Should I wear long sleeves and pants?

4) Is there any specific color I should wear?

5) Will I have to worship in a room separate from the men?

6) What day/time should I go?

7) Should I skip the makeup?

I'm going to the Mosque on Mill Ave. in Tempe, AZ, so I would appreciate answers regarding this particular Mosque, but I'll take all the help I can get! Thank you! :)

Please, no racist comments. I've already gotten one. Racism is cruel, stupid, and unacceptable, and the next person to say anything racist on this question will be reported.

Answer 1

1- You should wear a hijab (that's a must or else you ll get some nasty looks). If you're able to cover your entire hair with your scarf, then a scarf is ok. A Muslim attire would be preferrable though: wearing jeans or long skirts is SOMETIMES accepted by SOME mosques (although the jeans part is completely unacceptable in islam). So dont risk it. Wear loose-fitting, opaque clothes (just look at any picture of a Muslim woman and you ll know what I mean by this).

2- Women and men are seperated. so it's hard to get a hold of an imam to ask him questions after a friday service if you're a woman. Not only that, but from experience, i can tell you that the imam is flooded with questions from Muslim men alone.. so really the best way to ask an imam a question is by appointment (I also want to point out that you can ask me any questions too, if you want, by contacting me or leaving a message on my 360 - and i'll try to help God willing).

3- long sleeves, no pants (i.e. of course you have to wear pants lool, but what I mean is that loose-fitting clothes is better.. although, more and more, i'm seeing young Muslim women going to mosques wearing just jeans, long sleeves, and a hijab).

4- Any color is fine. Just dont try to get too much attention with your clothes, especially if you're attractive.

5- Yes, women and men are seperated by a room. You'll either hear the imam from behind a wall, or they will have a tv transmitting what's going on in the men's room.

6- I'm assuming you want to experience what it's like going to a service: so friday is when you have to go (early in the afternoon like 12, or 1 oclock, depending on the mosque - they specify the time for the service, so I advise you to go on an earlier day just to be familiar with things) Mosques also have religious educational classes and lectures on different days of the week (usually either late in the afternoon or in the evening.. if it's on the week end, then morning is also another possibility). For some you have to pay (e.g. if you want to learn about Islamic law; how to read the Qur'an) and some are free (e.g. learning how to read the Qur'an; random topics like: explaining hadiths [i.e. sayings of the Prophet PBUH]). So again, you're going to have to check their schedule.

7-Yes skip makeup, because it's not allowed in Islam - unless you want to cover up a zit or something.. in that case, a low-toned make up is acceptable

Additional things to keep in mind:

- Muslims perform ablution before coming to a mosque. but seeing as how you probably dont know how, i suggest taking a bath before going (refrain from passing wind until after you've left the mosque). also put in mind that its forbidden to enter a mosque in a sexually impure state (i.e. having masturbated or had sex without bathing afterwards)

-there are usually two separate entrances in mosques: one for women, and another for men. Even if the main entrance is for both men and women, when you get inside, there should be an entrance to a room for women, and one for men.

-you have to take off your shoes when you enter.. they have a place where you can leave them..

-also dont walk in front of someone who is performing a prayer unless there's enough distance between you and them (like 1.5 to 2.5 meters) (by prayer here, I mean like when you see them on tv bowing and prostrating, not when they close their eyes and raise their hands [as anyone would pray]). In the latter case, it's ok to walk in front of them.

-I'm also assuming you dont speak Arabic: so unless you dont mind not understanding what the Imam is saying during the friday service, see if they have an English sermon (they usually do that before the arabic one.. but then you would have to wait until the arabic sermon is over to perform the noon prayer with the entire congregation (p.s: the whole purpose of a friday service is to perform the noon prayer with the other Muslims).

For a description of a friday service, you can click on the link below (tell me if it doesnt work):

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AiX4Cv.qAUVwHlXuSInwepHty6IX?qid=20061221212715AAitxlU&show=7#profile-info-AA11993652

Peace be with you.

Answer 2

Yes you can visit a mosque of course you can see what's it look like to be a Muslim, you shouldn't be on your period, you should take a bath just to be clean, you should wear a scarf covering all your hair, also you should wear clothes covering all your body except face and hands there's no specific color, preferred not attractive colors(like red) and better without makeup.
There's a separate place for women inside the mosque, for the prayer time it depends on your city timing you can go when you hear the prayer call, you can talk to the Imam (The person who leads the prayer) after prayer and ask him about anything you want, you can also ask Muslim women you'll find I'm sure they'll be happy to answer you.

Answer 3

I can not reply for Hindus. I'm an atheist, and I revel in touring cathedrals, temples, mosques, Roman temple ruins, Stonehenge, and different facilities of worship. Why? Because I respect the awe which persons have for the everlasting. Atheists proportion this; we simply do not attach it with a pretty good being. Please observe that I'm no longer seeking to begin an atheist/theist warfare right here; I'm most effective hoping to proportion the awe that atheists suppose additionally.

Answer 4

go ahead , but you should wear a covered clothes

Answer 5

Don't convert. If you just want to visit, call them and ask. That is the logical thing to do.

Answer 6

please Never go befor you call and some people who know about Islam wait for you



http://www.islamicfinder.org/index.php?sid=222087155&cat=0&lang=english