HOUSE RULES OF THE MOSQUE

he mosque is the central temple where Muslims' main ritual life takes place. At the same time, it has other important functions in the life of Muslim communities. In Islamic tradition two names for the temple are frequently used: the Qur'an uses the name masjid, which refers to the place where one prostrates, the place of praying before God. The name masjid for Muslims' religious temple is more common in many Arabic-Islamic countries. Since as early as the early period of Islam, Arabic phrase al-masjidul-jami, a large, central mosque (masjid) was used for the largest or central temple in a given area or a city, where salat al-Jumu'ah, the weekly Friday prayer, is held – since in the first centuries of Islam it was as a rule held in grand, central mosques. In Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Balkans it is customary to call smaller religious buildings masjids, and they are recognized by not having the minaret, while buildings with the minaret, even of smaller dimensions, are called mosques.

The mosque or the masjid belongs to God and it is because of Him that it is built and maintained (Qur'an, LXXII, 18); therefore, the function of the mosque must radiate positive tendencies, it must be a place of general good and even the intention to build it must be based on pure and honest motives. Although the mosque has always served for holding the congregational prayer, since it is far more valuable than the individual one, the mosque was not only the place for congregational prayer in the strict sense of the word. The Mosque of God's Prophet in Medina has become an example of many functions of the mosque: it is a place where believers gather for a prayer; in the mosque, Prophet gave his speeches about requirements for the obedience to God and about social regulations, it was from the mosque that he managed the religious-social community of Muslims. Three of its roles has stood out through history: ritual, educational and social.  

Since the mosque is a place where many people gather in the same space, it is understandable that rules have been established which preserve dignity and express respect for the mosque. General rules command that going to the mosque requires preparation; it is mostly related to cleanliness of the body (take ablution, and a bath if necessary). It is also recommended to wear nice and clean clothes (Qur’an, VIII, 31) and not to enter the mosque after eating onions or garlic. It is also desirable to use perfumes moderately while arguing, quarrelling, raising one's voice, trading etc. are forbidden. 

Besides these general rules, on 16 October 2007 the Riyasat of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina passed the decision on the house rules of the mosque, specifying the way of its use in the context of contemporary trends and needs of Bosnian Muslims and relying on their tradition.

The Decision underscores that mosques, masjids and other religious buildings are owned by the Islamic Community, which also manages them. They are safe and free places for ritual acts (ibadet) for all Muslim men and women who comply with the house rules prescribed for them. Imam is the host of the mosque and without his knowledge one cannot lead the jamaat in the prayer, hold a Jumu'ah khutbah (sermon), give maktab classes or perform and lead, in the mosque, anything else which the imam is competent for. In interpreting and performing ritual duties in mosques, masjids and other religious buildings, Hanafi madhhab is.

The Decision prescribes the obligation to maintain cleanliness and order and underscores that it is not allowed to sleep, eat, smoke or do other things which are opposed to Bosniaks' Islamic tradition in the mosque. The mosque loudspeakers should be used with the moderate volume.

It is prohibited to bring in, keep, distribute, advertise or sell any literature and advertising material other than official publications of the Islamic Community or those approved by it, to set sales stands, trade in mosques and their courtyards and beg.

Muslim men and women who come to the mosque for prayer or another religious ritual must be dressed in accordance to Islamic regulations, and during tourist and other visit men are not allowed to enter wearing shorts and women without a scarf and a cape.