Muslim Mosque vs. Christian Basilica

Reflective Essay 2
Muslim Mosque vs. Christian Basilica

There are many differences between the muslim and christian Basilica as well as many similarities. They also have so many things that make them unique in their own way. Taking a further look at each belief helps us have a clearer understanding of the Mosque and the Basilica. The word Islam is Arabic and means "submission to the will of God." Islam teaches that one must submit to God in Arabic in order to achieve true peace of mind. Allah is God, the same God Christians and Jews worship.The word Muslim means one who submits to the will of God, regardless of race, nationality or ethnic background. Muhammad is believed to be the final prophet. Human beings are not believed to be sinful, but are seen as capable of both good and evil. Muslims believe God has given people free will. It is known “One's deeds and actions measure one's faith”. Islamic teachings encompass all aspects of life and ethics; consciousness of God is encouraged in all aspects of human affairs. Worship in Islam is not limited to religious rituals. Muslims believe the Qur'an has been perfectly preserved in both its words and meaning in a living language. God's final revelation to humankind was publicly recited in front of both Muslim and non-Muslim communities during the lifetime of the Prophet.The Qur’an's main message is submit to Almighty God and worship Him alone. Muhammad, a documented, historic figure, lived in the full light of history. God sent the revelation to Muhammad over the course of 23 years, and he in turn preached and lived it. He was a man who lived a humble life in the service of God, and established an all-encompassing religion and way of life by showing what it means to be an ideal friend, husband, teacher, ruler, warrior and judge. The true balance of an Islamic life is established by having a healthy fear of God as well as a belief in His infinite Mercy. A life without fear of God leads to sin and disobedience, but believing that we have sinned so much that God will not possibly forgive us only leads to despair. Islam teaches that life is a test, and that all human beings will be accountable before God. Apart of the Christianity belief, there is a set of biblical ethnics and moral codes that we can chose to abide by to represent our Christian faith. With choosing this faith you choose to worship one god and practice your faith in one Sabbath or also know as a church. Christians strong believe in accepting the death of Jesus and resurrection of Jesus as well that all sinful acts done by people can be repented by god if that person has promise to devote themselves to god. Christians devote one day a week which is Sunday to praise in the name of god, which they meet at the church and read a scripture from the bible and speak of the struggles that god has went through in order for gods people to live the life they live now. After they read the scriptures and rejoice over the good and bad things in their life they pray and accept the body of Christ which is bread and wine. Then throughout the week in order to keep the Christian faith alive in your life and household you may read the bible and pray daily.

Hypostyle mosque means “many columns”. Most mosques built in Arab lands utilized this style for centuries. The architecture is shaped mostly on the strong regional traditions of the time and place where it is built. The most necessity of mosque architecture is that it would be able to hold the entire male population of a city. The congregational mosques are required to have a large prayer hall, and this is done so by an open courtyard known as a “Sahn”. In the courtyard is a hot water fountain and is used for ritual cleansing that is done before prayer. The Mihrab is a niche in the wall that indicated the direction of Mecca, to which all Muslims pray. Minaret is a tower that is usually attached to the mosque which is where the call to prayer is announced. There is calligraphic art. The Christian Basilica differs because it is used as a large public building where business or legal matters could be transacted. The first Basilica had no religious function. The shape of the had a floor plan of a rectangular hall but one usually followed into churches that led into the central body with one aisle at each side and a vault at one end opposite to the main door at the other end. There was a raised platform from where the clergy officiated. This building plan was mostly used for smaller audience halls of the emperors, governors, and the very rich than for the great public basilicas functioning as law courts and other public purposes.

In conclusion, the architecture of the Mosque and how it has shaped Muslim beliefs differ to the interior space from the Christian Basilica. This essay has been formatted to explain the Muslim and Christian beliefs and the architecture of the Mosque and the Basilica.