Is It Okay For A Non Muslim Person To Go To A Mosque Uninvited?

[anon1990]

Just curious about this because I am contemplating converting to Islam?

[naomi24]

Yes, really Boxy.

[boxtops]

a sort of cloakroom charge, then ?!

[society]

Never heard or saw that before. And I've attended masjid in the past many times.

[boxtops]

It's new to me, too, society!

[naomi24]

Boxy, No cloakroom. You leave your shoes with all the rest, and when you come out the man on the door holds your shoes in one hand, the other outstretched for your payment. It's a foreigner thing - me being the foreigner.

[society]

Off topic here, but have looked at the OPoster's questions? Weird one they are I say.

[boxtops]

Goodness, I've never encountered that. People have just picked their shoes out of the pile outside (or from the little shelves for the purpose) on the occasions I've visited in different places. Flipflops are ideal though, for just slipping into your bag instead!

[naomi24]

Try visiting the Al-Azhar mosque in Cairo - one of the most important Islamic educational establishments in the world.

[boxtops]

Oh dear, no, society - I hadn't (I have now).

[boxtops]

Ah naomi, never been to Cairo.

[naomi24]

society, a visitor I suspect.

[Khandro]

Shoe-removal is not exclusive to Islam, it is usual in Buddhist temples and shrine-rooms. I often think that the clean soles of shoes are preferable to sweaty socks and feet, but I believe the custom is supposed to denote equality from the time when shoe-ownership was a marque of affluence.

[trt]

Why are you thinking about changing to Muslim anon1990, considering all the bad press they have been getting etc.?

[society]

I think removing shoes before entering a mosque has something to do with not carrying evil spirits and anything unclean inside a holy place of worship.

[trt]

anon1990:

You only joined A/B today and you have asked 4 different Questions, which you have received 77 answers from us.

Why have you only replied twice to all of them, if you are that interested in your Questions?

[naomi24]

Before prayer Muslims must wash themselves and they remove shoes to avoid bringing dirt into a mosque.

[ludwig]

Also, don't go in your wellies. It will probably be frowned upon. Even after you take them off they'll look odd lined up with all the shoes.

[boxtops]

It doesn't matter what you go in, ludwig - you can wear builders' boots to get there, you still have to take them off....

[keyplus90]

In Islam no one and nothing stops you from going into the Masjid (mosque). Few individuals who themselves lack knowledge of Islam may do. But their number can be counted on one of your hand. Mosques are supposed to be open for everyone. Obviously there are few things to observe. As many said, you need to take your shoes off and that is only and only for cleanliness and nothing more than that. You do not even have to wash (ablution) yourself if you are visiting only as that is necessary only for the prayer. Learning Arabic is not necessary but preferred as Quran recitation is considered good, otherwise understanding Quran is more important and you can do that by reading it in the language you understand. However when you offer compulsory and obligatory prayers, they are in Arabic but you can still learn them using what we call Roman Arabic (or Roman English may be).

It is always a good idea to go to any local Masjid instead of asking people on the internet where many people will give you information what they believe is right even if that has nothing to do with actual religion.

Naomi, nowhere there are charges for leaving your shoes to visit a masjid. What usually happens is that at few historic places where people go more as a visitor than worshipper then due to the large number of the people and for their own convenience local govt setup some small contracts where people may leave their shoes with someone for a very small price. But most important thing is that you simply do not have to as long as you are ok with looking after your own shoes and you do not leave them somewhere where you are not supposed to leave them.

[naomi24]

Keyplus, I didn’t leave my shoes with anyone. I left them with all the rest, as always, but they were separated and held by the 'doorman' until I returned to pay to reclaim them. I’m no stranger to mosques and I never go as part of a tourist group; my visits usually involve talking to people - and I know how it works - and although this practice is unusual it is not the only time this has happened to me in Eastern countries.