All this on Overbrook Ave?
Abdul Al-Baseer begins by washing his hands three times, then rinsing his mouth three times, he then brings water into his nostrils with his right hand and blows out with his left three times, next he washes up to his forearms (including the elbows) three times, then the top of his head once, the ears three times, the neck once, and each foot three times always remembering to get in between the toes. Al-Baseer completes this ritual five times a day, once before every prayer.
“There is this external washing going on but the most important thing is to make the intention to become pure in order to pray to God” Said Al-Baseer.
Al-Baseer is one of the Muslims who practices his faith at the Mosque on 5820 Overbrook Ave. The Mosque is open to anyone who wants to stop by and become closer to God, learn more about themselves, or simply understand what the Islamic Faith is really about. To understand the purpose of this Mosque Al-Baseer frequently turns to the founder, Bawa Muhaiyaddeen.
“I came here because I had come into contact with some of Bawa’s teaching, and in my understanding they definitely transcend religion” Said Al-Baseer describing his path to Islam.
Bawa came to the Philadelphia area in 1971, and the Mosque has been functional since 1973. He is the figure that many Muslims at the Mosque follow and look up to. Al-Baseer gave the example that when people would come into his room hungry, he could sense it and would immediately start cooking them food. When followers of the Muslim belief would come to the mosque, sometimes Bawa would give them names that better reflected their belief and personality. For example, Abdul Al-Baseer’s real name is actually Michael. Abdul means servant of Allah (God).
The Mosque as it looks today was built in 1984. Al-Baseer can recall the location of tomatoes, carrots, and pathways leading around the vegetable garden that grew where the Mosque now stands. Construction was completed in six months in the dead of winter. Al-Baseer said “You’re kind of asking about wonders” when he mentioned the possibility of accomplishing such a feat. However, it is difficult to imagine snow and temperature holding off for six whole months so that cinderblocks could be placed and concrete laid. That is unless you believe there was some divine intervention involved.
“If he wants to make it easy for you to reach your destination on time, then he can do that. And if hes protecting you so you don’t reach your destination on time he can do that too” Said Al-Baseer regarding God’s involvement in the miracle.
The Mosque looks like a normal house from the road; however when you go around back you begin to see the extensions which make it so unique. There are teal domes next to the building, which are being repainted and prepped to be reattached to the top of the Mosque. One side of the Mosque is covered with white stone and has 99 circles with the names of 99 prophets all etched into the stone in golden Arabic calligraphy. Most of the circles are small, but there are three very large circles, which each have “Allah” written in Arabic. There are speakers placed all over the grounds so that everyone can hear the call to prayer (signaling everyone to pray five times a day) and the actual prayer service.
“If you’re comparing religions you want to compare what unites us, not what separates us” said Quadir Bibi
Quadir Bibi, the receptionist and also a strong follower of the Muslim religion also goes through the cleansing process five times a day for prayer. The small light blue woman’s bathroom has no mirrors. She sits on a short seat facing a faucet that comes out of the wall and goes through the same process as Al-Baseer. Her pale skin and light blue eyes are all you can see under the white shawl she wears around her head and face. She says the reason women wear shawls around their heads is to take distractions away from the face which is the main focus. Her sweater and long skirt cover everything but her dark brown loafers.
Before entering the mosque, everyone must remove their shoes and place them by the door. Inside, Bibi kneels on the light green carpet of a small room with three white boards, two classroom desks, and two small windows. As she talks, Arabic prayer is projected from speakers throughout the room. This room is used for Arabic, Qur’an recitation classes given once a week for children. It is also used as an “overflow room” for women with babies who cannot be controlled.
Bibi also talked about her pilgrimage to Mecca in 1987. The purpose of the pilgrimage “is to leave the world behind,” she said. However, before you go on a pilgrimage you must settle any affairs such as debt, asking for forgiveness where needed, and putting your will in order. Bibi has also gone on lesser pilgrimages in either 1999 or 2000. Many others from the Mosque have gone on pilgrimages as well.
“When it comes to the body and soul, we believe ourselves to be the body, not the soul, this is why we feel the need to polish it,” said Bibi. She explains this is why people are very surprised when the body comes to an end. “We’re very busy with the body,” she said. She believes people should remember to stop long enough to just look at living things; it doesn’t take long to wonder over their being and what they’re capable of.
During prayer, men and woman must pray separately as to keep the men from being distracted. Women must wear clothing that covers their legs, arms, chest and head, and cannot enter the prayer room if they are going through their menstrual cycle. The prayer room is located on the top floor of the mosque. The carpet is dark green and a lace sheet splits the room in half, one side for men and the other for women. On the men’s side there is a man sized indentation in the wall at the front of the room. This is where the person leading prayer will stand. Around the indentation are Arabic prayers from the Qur’an.
The life of the Muslim revolves around Allah and prayer. Praying five times a day and cleansing before each prayer, Allah is always in their hearts and minds. Before entering any house, any store or any door, Abdul Al-Baseer says a prayer. This helps him to keep Allah and his faith present at all times.
