Islam Faith

Muslim prayer items include prayer rugs which are used to ensure that the praying area is clean, along with otherIslam faith items; however, they are not used by all Muslims and are not a requirement of Islam. Prayer rugs have become a traditional way to ensure the cleanliness and give an isolated space to concentrate in prayer.

Prayer rugs are sufficiently big enough for an adult to fit comfortably while kneeling or prostrating and are usually made from silk or cotton. The rug designs can be geometrical, floral, arabesque or show landmarks such as the ka’aba in Mecca. The rugs are designed to have a top and bottom and include an arch at the top. The prayer stands on the bottom and the top arch points towards the direction of prayer. The rugs will quite often have a deliberate mistake in the pattern which reminds the owner that nothing is perfect except God.

At prayer times the worshipper places the rug on the ground with the top pointing towards the direction of Mecca. When prayers have been performed the rug is immediately folded or rolled and put away to keep the rug clean. To help the owner find the correct position for prayers there is quite often a compass pocket at the back of the rug. Gifts, such as compasses and books giving the directions from around the world are put into these pockets.

Other Islam faith items include prayer beads, the Subha, are made up of three sets of thirty three beads and one large bead, making a total of one hundred and are generally made of wood or plastic. The ninety nine beads are used to say the ninety nine names of God during prayer. Muslims believe that by saying God’s name repeatedly brings them closer to God.

Men must cover their head while praying and it usual for them to wear cotton crocheted prayer cap, the Tigiyha under their head shawl to keep their hair in place.

When the Qur’an is used it must be kept off the ground and rest on a special Qur’an book stand, which are usually made of wood with intricate carvings on. The Islam faith has many different items which may be used with prayer, however it is important to remember that they are not a necessity.