Can anyone help with this?

[foreversearching]

Hello everyone,

I'm Lisa and i'm new to the site, so please bear with me it might take me a while to get used to how it works.

I'm studying Islam at college as part of my philosophy and religion course and I want to ask any Muslims out there something if I may.

My friend and I have found Islam extremely interesting for the year we have been studying it, and my friend recently suggested we visit a Mosque to learn some more about it.

We are both Christians and my question is, would my friend and I be allowed in a Mosque? The last thing we want to do is offend anybody, all we want to do is learn more about the beliefs and practices of Islam. We are unsure of how we should go about visiting a Mosque if we are allowed, do we telephone them first to ask or just go?

I'm sorry if these seem like stupid questions but I hope you can help me.

Lisa x

 

[PluckyAli]

Hello everyone,

Hello Lisa.

I'm Lisa and i'm new to the site, so please bear with me it might take me a while to get used to how it works.

Welcome Lisa.

I'm studying Islam at college as part of my philosophy and religion course and I want to ask any Muslims out there something if I may.

Be free to ask any question,i said any.

My friend and I have found Islam extremely interesting for the year we have been studying it, and my friend recently suggested we visit a Mosque to learn some more about it.

Believ me,Your friend is a genius.

We are both Christians and my question is, would my friend and I be allowed in a Mosque?

Why not?

The last thing we want to do is offend anybody,

I am sure it's a typo.

all we want to do is learn more about the beliefs and practices of Islam. We are unsure of how we should go about visiting a Mosque if we are allowed, do we telephone them first to ask or just go?

No need for telephone in my opinion.Just make sure you go into the ladies section of mosque.

I'm sorry if these seem like stupid questions but I hope you can help me.

Which questions are you talking about?

Lisa x

Ali x

 

[nabeelaejaz]

Salam-Alaikum (May Peace be grace upon you),

Regarding your question for entering or visiting a mosque. Well yes you can visit a mosque, perhaps you can even pray there (as a demonstration), if the mosque has the facilities, most mosques in Dubai here have. If they dont have seperate facilities, then I am sorry you can only visit and take a look around. (Do ask the management of the mosque regarding it).

You need to:
1. Be pure that is that abulution, also bath prior from visit would be really recommended too, but don't want to make things difficult for you, so thats upto you for now.

2. In Islam, we have a concept of escorting our females, with respect. It would be preferrable that you are escorted by a muslim female (so that she could also give you a tour and give you the details). If not then do ask the incharge of the mosque to escort you and give you a tour.

3. Also I dont expect you to be in the full muslim attire, but whatever you wear should not be offendable to others praying there.

Well thats what I could think about now. In future if you have any questions regarding Islam, and I mean anything in the world, no matter how silly or offendable, I am here to answer all you queries.

BTW I am a student too, so you can communicate with me freely. Either post your questions here or you can mail me. I would try my best to sort all your questions, Inshallah(If god wills).

Nabeel Aejaz
nabeel@returntoislam.com

Jazak-Allah-wa-Khaira (May god bless you).

 

[lunamoth]

Hi Lisa, Welcome to CR. I'm not Muslim, so I hope no one minds if I jump in here. Just wanted to say that I visited a Mosque recently, along with several other members of my church, and it was a wonderful experience. We were warmly greeted and two young women welcomed us with a brief introduction to Islam before we attended the prayers. [We had made these arrangements ahead of time--I would call your local Islamic Information Center if you have one in your area]. An even greater blessing, we happened to visit during Ramadan, so there were many families there and a lot going on. We were invited to join in for the breaking of the fast dinner, but declined as we were on a schedule of sorts. As a woman, I and the other women went to a balcony area for the prayers. It is important to remember to remove your shoes. As you know, Muslim prayers are accompanied by prayer positions, sitting, bowing, etc. Our group sat in the back and the people praying took postions in rows starting in the front of the area. None of us spoke Arabic, so we did not understand the prayers, yet it was still a very beautiful experience.
peace,
lunamoth

 

[thipps]

Hello everyone,

I'm Lisa and i'm new to the site, so please bear with me it might take me a while to get used to how it works.

I'm studying Islam at college as part of my philosophy and religion course and I want to ask any Muslims out there something if I may.

My friend and I have found Islam extremely interesting for the year we have been studying it, and my friend recently suggested we visit a Mosque to learn some more about it.

We are both Christians and my question is, would my friend and I be allowed in a Mosque? The last thing we want to do is offend anybody, all we want to do is learn more about the beliefs and practices of Islam. We are unsure of how we should go about visiting a Mosque if we are allowed, do we telephone them first to ask or just go?

I'm sorry if these seem like stupid questions but I hope you can help me.
Lisa x

Salaam,
Welcome to CR Lisa and hope you stay on. Yes, ofcourse you can visit the mosque... there is no restriction. Lunamouth has done what you wish to do, so that is definitely one way to go. Otherwise, i guess just go there... should not be a problem... visitors are welcome in mosques. Yes, as lunamouth pointed out, take your shoes before you go into the mosque.
Let us know how the experience went.

 

[Staffy]

Visiting

I'd advice call ahed so they can get a sister to show you around and make sure you come at prayer time so you can see what happens.........I was speaking the other day to a scout leader who actualy organises some excusions for the scouts to go to the mosk during prayer time.......Its definatly a valuable experiance wether you are thinking of coming to Islam or just curious as to what happens......And about ofending it would probally be better for you to wear full cloths basically cover your arms and legs and don't wear any tight cloths (dont worry about hijab unless they ask you to)....Its not that muslim men can't handle their eyes it's just better for you if you do so out of a sign of respect but you probally know that already right Studying Islam and all......I hope you get a better understanding of Islam from your experiance............Staffy

 

[Amica]

Hi Lisa,

Yes, you will be allowed into the mosque. I know you probably heard horror stories about certain extremists abroad banning anyone non-Muslim entering a mosque and like wise banning Muslims visiting churches. Which is absurd!

Anyway,you can visit a mosque, just make sure that you are dressed respectfully (wide clothes, a scarf over your head, no make up, no shoes inside). Modesty is something Muslims try to keep in their societies and also it is a sign of respect toward God as well to other fellow believers who attend the prayer services.

I hope you will have a delightful visit to a mosque.
Peace.