Meaning and Definition of Mosque | Concept and What is.

What is a Mosque?

Etymologically the word mosque should be translated from Arabic as "the place where bend the knee", then is clear to us that is a prayer among the Muslims, there are other etymologies for the Word as a "pillar of cult" that comes from the Aramaic and perhaps is the oldest. They are usually rectangular buildings with one or more domes (depending on the importance that has the place and the customs of each country), surrounded by a wall with a patio with trees, the walls are white and the only ornament that you can find them are verses from the "Quran" in gold letters.

A mosque inside soils are covered in rugs for comfort that arrive at the time of prayer while in a kind of pulpit called "minbar" recites her "magnet". To leave no doubts the magnet is the person who presides over the members of a mosque, many studies have been performed for this purpose and principle assumes that the same members of the community named it but in many countries the State is who does it, remember that the Quran does not distinguish between politics and religiondue to the importance that has and have some influence on decision-making.

In history the known oldest Mosque is the "Agsu" in the city of Medina that was built by Muhammad when he had to move from "Mecca" to that city, and which Muslims regard as the first year of his era (632 d. C.) but in the tradition of the oldest is the "Kaaba" in Mecca. It was founded by Abraham (Ibrahim, for them) but apparently was a site of worship of polytheism until the very conquest Mecca Muhammad becoming the center of worship for the Muslim world. Although to tell the truth Mahoma used as House, meeting Center, general and even as a hospital barracks. That is another reason why mosques have become the center of religious and political life of this culture.

Apart from that they have mentioned the third mosque in importance is the "al - Aqsa" in Jerusalem, where Mahoma tradition says he ascended into heaven, is also estimated to be built on the ruins of the Temple of Jerusalem built by Herod "the great". Near the 13th century are exclusively dedicated to the cult and he is forbidden to people who are not Muslim to give worship there since many were built on ancient Christian churches.

Translated for educational purposes.