What is the mat called that Muslims prey on?
A Muslim prayer rug or Muslim mat, (in Arabic, sajjada (plural sajajid) or musallah, in Persian: Janamaz), is a usually woven piece of fabric or carpet, to keep the Muslim (Islamic, Mohammadan, follower of Muhammed PBUH) worshipper clean and comfortable during the sujud (prostration to God) of salah (prayer, Namaz, salat, salaat, or prayers). A requirement to keep the process of worship, prayer holy and clean a Muslim must perform wudu or wuzu (a cleansing process) before prayer. A Muslim must always try to pray in a clean place. The necessity to pray in a mosque is not a requirement. Prayer is a private moment between a person and their God Allah) the accoutrements are optional.Newer prayer mats are created by weavers in a textile factory. These factories are found all over the Islamic world but have coalesced in eastern and mid- eastern countries. Surprisingly, mats are still woven akin to traditional styles. Designs found on a prayer mat have been based on the village it came from and its weaver, however, it is very common to use more universal iconography. Direction is very important in Islamic prayer. It serves as a symbol of unity and Umma the notion of a Muslim or Islamic Community; when all Muslims universally pray in the same direction, a sense of cohesiveness arises with a common connection to God. Muslims believe in validity in antiquity in this case since Abraham (PBUH) and his son, Ismail (PBUH), built it together, as focal point for all religious minded people. In the Quran (Qur'an or Koran): [2:127] As Abraham raised the foundations of the shrine, together with Ismail (they prayed): "Our Lord, accept this from us. You are the Hearer, the Omniscient. It is every Muslim's responsibility to know what direction Mecca is from their home or wherever they are in the world. The direction of the Kaba (Qibla) is central to maintaining a global consciousness in the Muslim world. It creates a commonality amongst all colors, creeds and consciousness.The most important commonality amongst Muslims that has been foreshadowed by misconception is the belief that a prayer mat is the common person's connection between God (Allah) and an average human being. The prayer mat has a very strong symbolic meaning and as such has very traditionally been taken care of in a respectful and sacred manner. Almost as disrespectful it is to mishandle the holy Quran (Qur'an or Koran) it is just as disrespectful for one to place a prayer mat in an unclean or haram, location or throw it down in a unmindful manner. Present time consciousness during prayer is a level of self understanding and mindfulness that transcends ones actions.Iconography is very specific to prayer rugs. As in all of Islam, a person's face or symbol that could represent a faction or piece of God is prohibited; this includes the prophet Mohammed (PBUH). This leaves the human mind free to interpret for itself the visual meaning of God. Conversely the notion of interpretation is frame worked to mean that one could iconographically depict God. There is a fine range of allowable interpretation.An arabesque design is an infinitely repeating mathematical form that illustrates the intricacies of native plants and animals. Arabesques are an integral part of Islamic art usually found decorating the interior and exterior walls of mosques and other religious centers.In the Islamic world, as to most Muslims, Arabesque designs are a road map that transcends our current reality. The Islamic world regards arabesques designs as symbols of the infinite, and therefore omnipotent, nature of the singular God (Allah). The tie in for an individuals level of spirituality or oneness with God (Allah) can be understood in terms of an expanding and collapsing universe. The Islamic prayer rug can be seen as the conduit between the heavens and earth. The strict adherence to prayer can eventually be the meditation one needs to expand one's mind into the universe. The focus one has within one's prayers, can evoke the finite and hone in one's mind to specific details or a clarity that wasn't apparent before.A Muslim mat is traditionally weaved in a rectangle shape, within the rectangular shape are images of Islamic symbols such as crescents, 8 sided stars and fauna or flora architecture that evokes a notion of heaven. The usage of angles and arcs is prevalent in Islamic architecture. Many mathematical scholars are borne from the era of art in Islamic architecture. Much of the art associated on pishtaqs and iwans are divided in two styles: the structural world and the fluid forms of nature.Muslim beliefs in a framework of thought or structure that utilizes the fundamentals of what is structurally strong, becomes a beautiful admired object or objective. Structure determines function and repetitive mathematical patterns usually represent a transcendent earthly symbolism. The most common structural symbolism combined with nature can be seen with the elements. Earth, Wind, Fire and Water are represented in the four sides of a square either enclosing the circle or the circle surrounds it. This represents a communal relationship with the physical world and a supportive entity that keeps the status quo or worldly homeostasis. Plants depicted in arabesque, Islamic art are symbolized by the feminine giving nature, often wrapped in Arabic scribe or calligraphy.Quranic literature is not commonly used as prayer rug décor, due to respect for the holy literature. Great mosques such as the Dome of the Rock, Masjid al-Haram, Al-Masjid al-Nabawi, Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul, are the most popular depictions on prayer rugs. The most notable architectural elements include a Mihrab niche. Originally the Mihrab was a private chamber, prayer room reserved for the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH). The tubular arch shaped mihrab is the most depicted shape on a prayer rug. The Mirhab itself, aside from an architectural element, is located in the direction of the Qibla at Mecca. The top of the Mihrab shape is the direction in which to point the prayer rug. Much like dance steps patterned out on the dance floor many prayer rugs will have placements for a novice's hands and feet. Some mats have items used for Wudu (Wuzu) like a comb and pitcher. The comb is for men to tidy their hair and the pitcher was to remind all to perform the act of Wudu.The original creators of prayer rugs utilized the materials available to them in their communities. As such any prayer rugs are regionalized by design, material colors and dyes. Many patterns are generational and are handed down from father to son. Long rolls of prayer mats used in Mosques are called saff. These prayer rugs are sewn side by side and come in rolls of 25 to 45 ft (7.62 m to 15.24 m). Everyday prayer rugs are 3 ft × 5 ft (0.91 m × 1.5 m) - 4 ft × 6 ft (1.2 m × 1.8 m), and most commonly 26" (66cm) x 42" (106.7cm) enough to kneel on one end and prostrate.Prayer rugs have been in use for hundreds of years. Some prayer rugs are woven with silk and others with burlap. The best method for keeping a prayer rug clean and prolonging it's life is to roll it up for storage before and after prayer
