The National Mosque

Basically, there is a mosque in almost every districts and villages in Malaysia. There are so many mosques in Malaysia. But how do we recognise that the building is a mosque?



A lot of tourists are mistaken that they thought the mosque must have a dome. This is a big mistake as there are so many buildings in Malaysia which have domes but are not mosque. For example the old railway station, the Sri Perdana, etc.



So, how do we recognise if that building is a mosque? Its important that we take note that all the mosques must have a minaret.



Why do the mosque needs the minaret? This is because during the olden days, when there is no watch or clock, the muslims will use the minarets to measure the timing when to do the prayers. Usually, a big bell will be attached to the minaret and the bell will be strucked so as to let the muslims know that is the time of prayer.



As it modernised, the minaret is fixed with the loud speaker. So, whenever its the prayer time, the prayer will be played and those muslims staying around the area of the mosque will know that is the prayer time.



The Five Pillars of Islam is the term given to the five duties incumbent on every Muslims. These duties are :



1) Profession of faith: All muslims must testify that there is no other god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. This is the first word that will be recited to all Muslims when they are born and it will be recited when they are dead. All non-Muslims who wanted to convert are required to read this verse as well.



2) The requirement to pray 5 times a day at fixed times. The time of day to pray are at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and night fall. Each salat is performed facing towards the Kaabah in Mecca. That is the reason why there is a green arrow on the ceiling of the hotel room. Please bear in mind that these are not for emergency exit.



The prayer is compulsory but some flexibility in the specifics is allowed depending on the circumstances. For example, in the case of sickness or a lack of space, a worshipper can offer prayer while sitting, or even lying down, and the prayer can be shortened when travelling. The prayer must be performed in the Arabic language to the best of each worshipper's ability. If s/he cannot speak Arabic, then his/her native language can be used. The lines of prayer are to be recited by heart (although beginners may use written aids), and the worshipper's body and clothing, as well as the place of prayer, must be cleansed.



3) Zakat, or alms-giving, is the practice of charitable giving by Muslims based on accumulated wealth, and is obligatory for all who are able to do so. It is considered to be a personal responsibility for Muslims to ease economic hardship for others and eliminate inequality. Zakat consists of spending a fixed portion of one's wealth for the benefit of the poor or needy.



4) Fasting During Ramadan. Ritual fasting is an obligatory act during the month of Ramadan Muslims must abstain from food, drink, and sexual intercourse from dawn to dusk during this month, and are to be especially mindful of other sins. The fast is meant to allow Muslims to seek nearness to Allah, to express their gratitude to and dependence on him, to atone for their past sins, and to remind them of the needy. During Ramadan, Muslims are also expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam by refraining from violence, anger, envy, greed, lust, harsh language, gossip and to try to get along with each other better than normal. In addition, all obscene and irreligious sights and sounds are to be avoided.


Fasting during Ramadan is not obligatory, and even forbidden in some cases, for several groups for whom it would be dangerous or excessively problematic. These include pre-pubescent children, those with a medical condition such as diabetes, elderly people, and pregnant or breastfeeding women. Observing fasts is not permitted for menstruating women. Other individuals for whom it is considered acceptable not to fast are those in combat and travellers. Missing fasts usually must be made up soon afterwards, although the exact requirements vary according to circumstance.


Many Muslims break their fast with a date because it is claimed Muhammed broke his fast with a date.



5) The Haj is a pilgrimage that occurs during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah to the holy city of Mecca, and derives from an ancient Arab practice. Every able-bodied Muslim is obliged to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime if they can afford it. When the pilgrim is around ten kilometers from Mecca, he must dress in Ihram clothing, which consists of two white sheets. The main rituals of the Hajj include walking seven times around the Kaaba, touching the Black Stone, traveling seven times between Mount Safa and Mount Marwah, and symbolically stoning the Devil in Mina.


The pilgrim, or the haji, is honoured in their community. For some, this is an incentive to perform the Hajj. Islamic teachers say that the Hajj should be an expression of devotion to Allah, not a means to gain social standing. The believer should be self-aware and examine their intentions in performing the pilgrimage. This should lead to constant striving for self-improvement.


A pilgrimage made at any time other than the Hajj season is called an Umrah, and while not mandatory is strongly encouraged.



The National Mosque



The National Mosque was started to build in 1963 and was ready in 1965. It is located on 13acres of landscaped gardens. It can accomodates about 15 000 worshippers. The original structure was designed by a team from the Public Works Department, UK architect Howard Ashley, and Malaysians Hisham Albakri and Baharuddin Kassim.



The main features of Masjid Negara are the 18-pointed star concrete main roof, and the 73-metre-high minaret. The umbrella, a ubiquitous item in the tropics, is a represented in the architecture: the main roof appears like an open umbrella while the cap of the minaret that of a folded one. The compounds are graced with reflecting pools and fountains.



In order to appreciate the contributions by the first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman, the mosque supposed to name after him. But the Prime Minister refused, saying that Malaysia is very lucky that we can obtained our independence without any shed of blood. Hence, he named this mosque as the National Mosque.

Note:

Non Muslims are allowed to visit the National Mosque. However, please take note that there are a few requirements:

a) All footware must be taken off upon entering the mosque.

b) Males wearing the short are required to wear the robes provided at the entrance of the mosque.

c) Females are required to wear the robes provided.

d) Couples are not allowed in close proximity when in the mosque.

e) Should not speak loudly when in the mosque.

d) The main hall of the prayer is not permitted to enter.

e) Photography allowed in the mosque.

f) Entrance of the mosque is only allowed to non Muslims during non prayer time.