Islam for Children

Musalla

The musalla may be an area, room or prayer rug used by Muslim people to
provide for themselves a clean space to pray. They go through a prayer ritual
which includes standing to praise God, recitation of the Quran, sitting, bowing
and prostration to God.

 

 

 

The prayer rugs are abut a meter long with simple colours and rich patterns. They have to have an arch on that they can point to Makkah when they pray. Most times there will be a lamp hanging down from the arch, a symbolic lighting of the way and there is often a deliberate mistake in the pattern to remind the owner that nothing except Allah is perfect.

 

 

 

The Compass

To help finding the correct position for prayers there is often a compass pocket at the back of the rug. Sometimes little compasses and books giving directions from around the world are put into wallets and given as gifts.

 

 

The Subha - -Muslim Prayer Beads

The subha is made up of three sets of thirty-three beads and one large one making one hundred in total. They are often made from wood or plastic. The ninety-nine beads are used to say the
ninety-nine names for God during prayer. Muslims consider that repeating his name over and over brings them closer to God. They would call him by names such as; the Wise, the Compassionate, the Merciful, the Good or the Eternal. Sometimes
Muslims recite the same few favoured names over and over again.

 

 

 

The Tigiyha

Many Muslim men wear the tigyha under their head shawl to hold their hair in place whilst they are at prayer. It is white, crocheted cotton.

 

 

The Scroll

Scrolls giving the sayings of Muhammad (Pbuh) are often to be found decorating the wall of houses. They are kept very high as a sign of respect.
Calligraphy is the supreme art form for Muslims, particularly of the verses of
the Quran. You will always find Mosques and other buildings decorated with
beautiful calligraphy and geometric patterns. The sayings of the Prophet are
also sometimes used, however this picture is of a verse from the Quran.

 

 

The Qur'an stand

When the Qur'an is in use it is kept off the ground and rested on a special book stand.

 

 

Eid cards

These are cards sent in greeting to friends on the occasion of the festival Eid-ul-Fitr.

 

 

The Miswek

The Miswek is like a toothbrush, or tooth cleaner. It is used throughout the year but especially during
Ramadan when toothpaste cannot be used during daylight hours. It is cut from trees in Muslim countries so long as their sap is not bitter.