Religious Experience

My religious practice is Christianity. Therefore, I decided to attend a mosque on a Friday because that is when Muslims worship Allah. I had to search for the building because it was not advertised that this was a mosque. It was located in town in an area I have passed many times before but did not really notice it was a mosque. I decided on a Shia Islamic service instead of a Sunni one. The service started in the middle of the day on Friday, so I arrived around 1:00. I decided to make sure my arms and legs were covered. I knew they kept most of the body covered with the Abaya for women and the Kendora for men.

Upon my entrance, I remembered reading to enter with my right foot and exit with my left. The people were very nice and open to my visit. I knew I was supposed to say, “Assalam Allaikum”, or was it, Wa alaikum-as-salam,” I could not remember which was which, so I stuck to my English and said, “Peace be with you.” They responded back, “Peace be with you.” 

They shook my hand and led me into the foyer. I was introduced to most of the people there. I knew I could not shake hands with the opposite sex, so I did not try. Most of the people were Middle Eastern descent. I noticed there was a sign for men and one for women. The men worshipped in one area and the women in another. In the Muslim religion, women and men are separated during many events and worshiping is one of their events.

As I entered, a man greeted me. I told him I was there to worship with them during their Jummah service. He showed me where they were eating a meal before the service. The men were on one side of the room and the women were on the other side. I enjoyed their meal before the service.

He then escorted me to an open space that was in the shape of a square. It had a huge carpet on the floor with squares large enough for a person to kneel in prayer. He said for me to not step on the carpet as that is where we will be praying and will need to put our heads on the floor during prayer. In the front of the room, there was a pulpit or minbar, where the Iman would stand for the sermon.

He showed me where to take my shoes and how to wash for the prayers, or perform ablutions, before the Iman, similar to my minister or pastor, delivered the sermon. He had to show me how to wash to prepare for the prayers. I had to wash my hands, wrists, forearms, elbows, faces, hairlines, feet and ankles three times. If I touch someone or have to use the restroom during the process, I would need to start over. After I finished washing I entered the room to my own mat. I also remembered to avoid pointing my feet toward the wall with the alcove. I did not want to offend anyone. This would have been Qibla.

The man who met me at the door showed me which prayer square and positions I was to take during the prayers to Allah. I wanted to fully participate so I asked him to show me how to stand, bow and kneel as well as putting my head to the ground, which is their most humble position to Allah. If I needed a chair, there were ones available, as elderly and disabled used chairs during the service. During this time, there was a personal prayer offered. The prayers were in English and in Arabic.

The service began at 1:15 and began with prayers in Arabic. As others entered the room, they said a small prayer and moved to the carpet to their section for the service. The prayers were led by an older gentleman who was well versed in Islam, the Quran as well as an upstanding in the Muslim community. At the call to worship, my escort told me that I had to say the prayers the same way and to say the same thing he was saying. We had to say them together in unison.

The service was rather simple. I was surprised there were not any hymns or music, or a particular order of service, one that I would be used to. The prayers were very brief, as I noticed some stayed longer. I guess they were allowed to make personal prayers. Either way, as in my church, people remained quiet for those who choose to pray longer than the group prayer. The prayer session was very unique, as everyone bowed and kneeled at the same time. Watching this was very spiritual in that it was felt that everyone was in unison in the spiritual worship and prayer of Islam.

Everything was a ritual. In most churches I have attended there were programs to tell you what to say and when to say it. This was not the case here. There were no programs, there was no order of service. And even if there were a program, all the prayers were in Arabic. I recognized a few words, nonetheless, this was an interesting experience.

After the prayers, the Iman delivered a 30-minute sermon in English. His sermon was on how to be a better person, a better citizen, and neighbor as well as the Muslim eschatology (the coming of Mahdi). After the Iman spoke we prayed again in unison for several more minutes. I was surprised that people actually were talking after the Iman spoke. The atmosphere in the room was spiritual. There were children in the room during the service. Some of them were old enough to participate in the service, but others were very young. They were allowed to move around a bit, which did not seem to bother the adults. They were focused on their prayer and the seriousness of the service.

No one came in with a Quran or were taking notes from the sermon. People were actually resting, like napping on the floor of the mosque. This would never happen in my church. During the service, others came in and prayed before taking part in the service.

I asked my escort about other religious activities, such as something similar to communion. I was informed that these activities did not take place. After the service was over they delivered a few community announcements. People were friendly as I was leaving and even shook my hand. There was an alms basket in the foyer for people to leave donations.

My overall experience with visiting this Mosque was unique. I would visit again as a visitor, not to become a Muslim. I am perfectly happy with my religious beliefs. I am not sure whether I could get used to the prayer five times a day, and, having to wash every time it was time to pray. I felt I would be doing nothing but washing and praying all day. Their prayer times would change as the sun’s position changes throughout the seasons. I know I could not remember this. At least in the Middle East, the call to prayer is an alarm sounded throughout the country. This would be similar to our tornado alarms where several thousand people could hear. Here in the United States, there is not alarm throughout the country. Although I think most Muslims do carry something with them to remind them of the time.

I did not take pictures of the worship service. I felt that would be disrespectful and create conflict within their religious community, as I would not want someone taking photos during my worship service during prayer. I was quite surprised at how friendly they were to me. I thought they would be rather suspicious, but they were not. I do believe they really want to form a bridge between the Mosque and the community. They did invite me to return and I told them I would. I probably would return. I also remembered to leave with my left foot.