The tranquility found at Mosques is second to none. Considering Mosques are the holiest of places in Islam, we hope you get a chance to visit the following mosques that each have their own beauty and architectural style differentiating them from each other. Some of these mosques have existed for over a millennium and still inspire tourists and worshipers alike. Their breathtaking structures attract visitors, as they gasp at the finesse and thorough craftsmanship.
Here is a list of some of the most majestic mosques around the world that you must visit!
Al Haram Mosque (The Grand Mosque)
Al Haram Mosque is the largest house of worship for Muslims today. The Grand Mosque (Kabah) has existed for thousands of years and during the Prophet’s time, the Kaaba was used as a pagan religion symbol housing idols. This site was formally converted back to a house of worship upon the opening of Mecca in the eight year after hijrah during the month of Ramadan.
This mosque is located in modern day Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and is visited by millions of Mulsim worshipers annually for umrah and hajj pilgrimage. The mosque has both outdoor and indoor praying spaces that can accommodate up to 4 million prayers at any given time! We recommend visiting this mosque as part of a umrah or hajj trip. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has said that one prayer in Al Haram mosque equates to 100,000 prayers! Imagine that, plus this applies to both obligatory prayers and voluntary prayers.
This mosque is one of the most beautiful and unique masjids around the World. There are many historical sites associated with this mosque such as: Zamzam well, Maqam Ibrahim, and the hills of Safa & Marwa, which have the inspiring story of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) behind them. The kabah also houses the Black stone which was strategically fixed in the structure by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in 605 CE (a few years before the Prophet’s (PBUH) first revelation).
Likewise, Muslims worldwide face the Grand Mosque during their prayer, which shows the significance of this Mosque. It’s advisable for Muslim women to wear loose Abaya before entering the Mosque and for the men to wear long pants. Individuals who identify as Muslim are allowed to enter this mosque as it is a sacred and holy site in Islam.
Al-Masjid al-Nabawi (The Prophet’s Mosque)
As its name implies, Al-Masjid an-Nabawi was built by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Medina, Saudi Arabia when Muslims migrated from Mecca due to the religious persecution they faced. In addition to having significant Islamic historical references, Al Masjid al Nabawi currently sits as one of the largest Mosques globally (only rivaled by Al Haram Mosque in Mecca). The Mosque was built next to the Prophet’s (PBUH) house, where he settled after he migrated to Madinah in 622 AD. Originally, the architecture of the Mosque had an open-air building structure that was used for multi-purpose functions first and foremost, prayers along with education, court, and community gatherings. The Prophet’s Mosque is one of the most iconic mosques you must visit. While in Madinah, we recommend visiting Dar Al Madinah Museum where you will get an immersive experience learning about the way the prophet lived and the architectural iterations of Al-Masjid an-Nabawi over the centuries.
Pilgrims also visit the Mosque during their visit to the Holy City. One of its prominent features is the Green Dome. The Dome houses the tomb of the Prophet and several companions. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has said that one prayer in Al-Masjid al-Nabawi mosque equates to 1,000 prayers! Not as much as Al Haram but still a lot of rewards inshAllah.
Similar to Al Haram mosque, we recommend visiting this mosque as part of a umrah or hajj trip. You can visit both mosques on the same trip. Individuals who identify as Muslim are only allowed to enter this mosque as it is a sacred and holy site in Islam.
Masjid Al Aqsa
Masjid Al-Aqsa is a holy site with great historical reference in Islam. The Mosque is located in the Old City of Jerusalem and is number three on the list of the holiest sites in Islam. The Mosque is magnificent and stands elegant despite being rebuilt after several natural disasters and more recent decades of civil conflicts in the occupied territories.
It was in Masjid Al-Aqsa where the Prophet (PBUH) was transported during Al-Isra’ wal-Mi’raj (the Night Journey & Ascension), then to heaven.
The Mosque overflows with Muslims every Friday who pray in the wide courtyard of the Masjid. It’s considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site and houses the Dome of the Rock- the site where the Prophet ascended to heaven.
The Mosque is magnificent with its blue turquoise, inscriptions, gold mosaic, and awesome view. In the early days of Islam, Muslims faced Masjid Al-Aqsa during prayer which was later changed to the direction of Al-Haram in Mecca (the Grand Mosque).
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Where this mosque lacks in historical reference, it makes up with its sheer magnitude and grand architecture. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is another must-visit Mosque that was originally built in 2007. This Mosque is the largest in the United Arab Emirates, and it’s situated in Abu Dhabi. The Mosque is beautifully colored in white and has over 80 domes with a thousand columns! The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a religious symbol that amaze tourists as they gaze upon its elegance.
The Mosque depicts the rich & religious taste of the royal family and can accommodate over 40,000 Muslim worshipers during prayers. It was built by the late president Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan whose resting place is close to the Mosque.
The design of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque borrows a lot from the Moorish, Mughal, and Persian mosque building designs. An Interesting fact: it is said that the carpet used in the Masjid’s prayer hall is said to be the World’s longest carpet. Likewise, the 24- carat gold chandeliers in the Mosque are quite breathtaking. No detail was left out or overlooked, this mosque took close to 11 years to build!
Non-muslims can visit the prayers outside prayer times. Touring the Mosque doesn’t cost a dime; however, tourists must dress appropriately. Women must cover their hair and wear long sleeved garments and pants. Similarly, men are advised to wear pants out of respect. The Mosque is open to tourists from 9 am to 10 pm except for Friday mornings and is closed to non-muslims during prayer times.
Sultan Ahmed Mosque (The Blue Mosque)
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, got its name from the blue tiles around its walls. It was built under the rule of Sultan Ahmed I in 1609 (1018 hijri year) and took 7 years to fully construct. The Mosque is situated in the city of Istanbul and comprises of many domes and half-domes.
Its ceilings shine with the blue Iznik tiles that feature patterns, trees, flowers, to name a few. The Mosque is a significant part of Istanbul’s history and features about six needle-like minarets, a unique sight for tourists and locals alike.
Unfortunately, Sultan Ahmed I couldn’t enjoy the Mosque’s grandeur as he passed away the same year the Mosque was completed.
If you plan on visiting turkey, the Blue Mosque is a must visit. As with all other mosques, please consider the attire you wear when visiting.
The Hassan II Mosque
The Hassan II Mosque is situated in Casablanca, Morocco, and it’s one of our well-researched must-visit mosques around the World. The Mosque is the largest in the country and holds the second-largest Minaret in the World. Oddly enough, there is a laser on the Minaret, which is directed towards Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The Hassan II Mosque is beautifully crafted with stunning marbles and roofs. The Mosque can house around 105,000 worshipers both inside the Mosque and outside.
The sea bed of the Atlantic Ocean is quite visible from the Mosque right through the hall’s glass. It took King Hassan II about seven years to build the Mosque, and its mosaic tiles, gilded ceilings, and carved stones depict the amazing Moroccan craftsmanship. The Mosque also features a museum, library, madrassa, and hammams (a public bathing space). You can visit the Mosque as a non-Muslim at no cost, but you’ll have to pay an entrance fee to see the interior.
Nur Sultan Grand Mosque
The Nur Sultan Grand Mosque is one of the novel, iconic and unique mosques in recent times. It’s located in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. The mosque houses about 73 domes with 4 minarets, a true modern day marvel. The Mosque is a tourist viewing center because of its size, amazing features, and decorations. It can house around 30,000 people and is one of the biggest mosques in central Asia.
Concerning its architecture, the Nur Sultan Grand Mosque was built for three years (2019-2021) and is a potential candidate for Guinness World Records. The Mosque has different sections like wedding halls, conference rooms, offices, library, etc. The Nur Sultan Grand Mosque shows the unity and friendship of the ethnic groups in Kazakhstan and holds several wonders & experiences from its viewing terrace. The new Masjid is magnificent in all respects, and it also features one of the largest Qibla walls with Allah’s 99 names scribbled beautifully on it.
Sheikh Lotfolla Mosque
If you find yourself in Iran, then Sheikh Lotfolla Mosque is a must see. The Mosque stands elegant and magnificent in Isfahan with a rich history. It was constructed from 1603 to 1619 and was built originally for the royal family and their court.
The Mosque has a humble shape with rich furnishings inside and outside to suit the royal family. People outside of the royal family and their guests were not permitted into the Mosque. When this mosque was built, a tunnel was created to link it directly to the Shah’s palace.
The Sheikh Lotfolla Mosque contains a dome with no minarets nor a courtyard, but it’s well decorated with tiles that change color with lighting. The interior of the Mosque is pretty intriguing with the peacock that appears at certain times under the Dome. The surfaces are glazed and unglazed, attracting tourists from all over the World.
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque is another stunning mosque in Asia and is a famous landmark and tourist center in Brunei. The Mosque was built with a modern Islamic architectural style and is situated on the banks of the Brunei River.
It features golden domes and minarets made of exquisite marbles with rich and lush gardens packed with fountains. It’s surrounded by numerous trees and floral life, which makes it a calm and peaceful environment for tourists. The architecture of the Mosque depicts both Italian and Mughal styles.
Crystal Mosque
The Crystal Mosque is an iconic mosque built with modern-day styles. It’s sleek and constructed with steel and glass. The Mosque, likewise, features some architecture and design from China. It’s located in Terengganu, Malaysia, and is one of the most visited mosques in the country.
The Crystal Mosque can accommodate about 1,800. The Mosque’s outlook attracts tourists, and non-Muslims can visit outside during prayer times. The Mosque also provides robes and scarves to visitors who are not dressed in approved attire.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that a Mosque is where you can find peace and connect with Allah SWT. It is amazing to see the uniqueness of Mosques around the world and the history that surrounds each and every one of them. For Muslims it is important to cherish these houses of worship and strive to visit as many as we can in our lifetime.