The Difference Between a Mosque and an Islamic Center

Table of Contents

Hi all readers! Are you looking for an explanation of the difference between a mosque and an Islamic center? If your answer is “Yes”, congratulations! Now you are reading the right article. Why? Because that is what I will explain in this article. As Muslims, we must understand that. That's why I wrote this article. So, you have to read it to the end.

There are three important points about the difference between a mosque and an Islamic center which I will explain in this article. The three important things I mean are as follows:

What Is a Mosque?

The first important point about the difference between a mosque and an Islamic center what I will explain now is "what is a mosque?". I want you to understand that before you read any more explanations about the main focus in this article. In addition, the word "mosque" is the first important point in our discussion

By the way, do you remember what I explained about the literal meaning of the mosque some time ago? If you have forgotten that, or if you have not read it, I highly recommend that you read it, because in the article there is a specific explanation of the literal meaning of mosques and their meaning in Islamic law.

Literally, the word "mosque" is an Arabic word. The writing is مَسْجِدٌ or المَسْجِدُ . In general, we can understand the mosque as a place of prostration in its literal meaning. But what is meant by the mosque in this discussion is a building made by Muslims to pray together and some Islamic activities, such as reading the Quran, Dhikr, and so on.

That's a brief explanation of "what is a mosque?" which must be understood in this article.

What Is an Islamic Center?

The second important point is the difference between a mosque and an Islamic center what I will explain now is "what is the center of Islam?". I want you to understand that because the phrase “Islamic center” is the second important point in our discussion.

Literally, the sentence "Islamic center" is an Arabic sentence. The writing is الْمَرْكَزُ الْإِسْلَامِيُّ . There are two words in the sentence. The first word is “center” or الْمَرْكَزُ . The second word is “Islamic” or الْإِسْلَامِيُّ 

In general, we can understand the term "Islamic center" or الْمَرْكَزُ الْإِسْلَامِيُّ as a place or organization to carry out various Islamic activities. So, we can imagine that the Islamic center is a place where various Islamic activities are carried out, such as learning, teaching, paying zakat, helping Muslims, and so on. We can also imagine it as an organization that does it all.

That's a brief explanation of "what is an Islamic center?" referred to in this discussion.

The Difference Between Mosque and Islamic Center

The third important point about the difference between a mosque and an Islamic center which I will explain in now is a specific explanation. But before I explain that, first, I will explain that, in general, the function of the Islamic center is the same as the function of the mosque.

By the way, do you know what the function of the mosque is? In several previous articles I have explained that. In general, there are three functions of a mosque:

• The function of the mosque is to worship Allah, such as praying, reading Salawat, Quran, Dhikr, and so on.
• The function of the mosque is for social activities, such as compensation for orphans, social assistance, and so on.
• The function of the mosque is as a place for rest, such as sleeping, and so on.

All readers! If we understand the function of the mosque and the function of the Islamic center as we can understand from the definition, then we will know that there is no fundamental difference between a mosque and an Islamic center. The reason is because various things that can be done in a mosque can be done in an Islamic center. Prayer, paying Zakat, studying, teaching, reading the Quran, Salawat, Dhikr, and so on can be done in mosques and Islamic centers.

But if we understand the Islamic center more specifically, then we will know that the difference between a mosque and an Islamic center is its administration. The point is that in general the things that are done in the center of Islam are more administrative than the things that are done in the mosque. In general, things that are done in mosques are mostly categorized as worship, such as praying, reading the Quran, and so on.

All readers! That is a brief explanation of the difference between a mosque and an Islamic center. Do you understand? If you want to ask, please ask!

I think that's enough for this article. May be useful. Amen.

See you again in the next article.