Mosque vs. Temple: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A Mosque is a place of worship in Islam, while a Temple is a building dedicated to religious or spiritual activities in various religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism.
Key Differences
Mosques are central to the religious practice of Islam, serving as places for communal prayers, especially the Friday congregational prayer. Temples, depending on the religion, are used for a variety of religious practices, including prayers, rituals, and ceremonies.
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Nov 26, 2023
The architectural style of mosques often includes features like domes, minarets, and prayer halls oriented towards Mecca. Temples vary greatly in architecture, reflecting the diverse traditions of the religions they represent, such as Hindu, Buddhist, or Jewish temples.
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Nov 26, 2023
Inside a mosque, there are typically no images or icons, as Islamic teachings emphasize aniconism. In contrast, many temples are adorned with statues, symbols, and artwork depicting various deities or religious figures.
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Nov 26, 2023
Mosques also serve as community centers and places for education in the Islamic faith. Temples, apart from being religious centers, can also be important cultural and social hubs within their communities.
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Nov 26, 2023
The role of clergy in mosques, such as imams, is different from that in many temples, where priests or monks might perform specific rituals and have different roles and responsibilities.
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Comparison Chart
Architectural Features
Domes, minarets, prayer halls oriented towards Mecca
Varies greatly, often specific to each religion's traditions
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Decorations and Icons
Generally aniconic (no images/icons)
Often adorned with statues, symbols, and artwork
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Community Role
Community and educational center
Religious, cultural, and social hub
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Mosque and Temple Definitions
Mosque
A place of worship for Muslims.
The local mosque holds prayers five times a day.
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Nov 10, 2023
Temple
A sacred place often housing statues and symbols of deities or religious figures.
The Buddhist temple had statues of the Buddha for meditation.
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Nov 10, 2023
Mosque
An Islamic religious building, typically void of figurative images.
Inside the mosque, the walls were adorned with calligraphy instead of pictures.
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Nov 10, 2023
Temple
A place of spiritual significance in religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism.
The ancient temple is a pilgrimage site for believers.
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Nov 10, 2023
Mosque
A center for Islamic community activities and education.
The mosque also offers classes on the Quran and Arabic language.
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Nov 10, 2023
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Mosque
A building where Islamic congregational prayers are performed.
The new mosque in town can accommodate over 500 worshippers.
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Temple
Temple Either of two successive buildings in ancient Jerusalem serving as the primary center for Jewish worship.
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Oct 19, 2023
Mosque
A Muslim prayer space, often identifiable by its architectural features like domes and minarets.
The mosque's minaret is the tallest structure in the neighborhood.
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Nov 10, 2023
Temple
Mormon Church A building in which the sacred ordinances are administered.
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Mosque
(Islam) A place of worship for Muslims, often having at least one minaret; a masjid.
There's a mosque near where I live.
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Oct 19, 2023
Temple
A building used for meetings by any of several fraternal orders, such as the Freemasons.
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Temple
A building reserved for a highly valued function
The library, a temple of learning.
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Temple
Temple Either of two groups of buildings in London, the Inner Temple and the Middle Temple, that house two of the four Inns of Court and that occupy the site of a complex used by the medieval Knights Templars.
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Oct 19, 2023
Temple
Either of the sidepieces of a frame for eyeglasses that extends along the temple and over the ear.
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Temple
A device in a loom that keeps the cloth stretched to the correct width during weaving.
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Temple
A house of worship dedicated to a polytheistic faith.
The temple of Zeus was very large.
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Temple
(Judaism) synagogue, especially a non-Orthodox synagogue.
How often do you go to temple?
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Temple
(Mormonism) As opposed to an LDS meetinghouse, a church closed to non-Mormons and necessary for particular rituals.
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Temple
(figurative) Any place seen as an important centre for some activity.
A temple of commerce;
A temple of drinking and dining
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Temple
(figurative) Anything regarded as important or minutely cared for.
My body is my temple.
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Temple
(figurative) A gesture wherein the forefingers are outstretched and touch pad to pad while the other fingers are clasped together.
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Temple
(anatomy) The slightly flatter region, on either side of the human head, behind of the eye and forehead, above the zygomatic arch, and forward of the ear.
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Temple
(ophthalmology) Either of the sidepieces on a set of spectacles, extending backwards from the hinge toward the ears and, usually, turning down around them.
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Temple
(weaving) A contrivance used in a loom for keeping the web stretched transversely.
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Temple
(transitive) To build a temple for; to appropriate a temple to; to temple a god
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Temple
A contrivence used in a loom for keeping the web stretched transversely.
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Oct 19, 2023
Temple
The space, on either side of the head, back of the eye and forehead, above the zygomatic arch and in front of the ear.
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Temple
One of the side bars of a pair of spectacles, jointed to the bows, and passing one on either side of the head to hold the spectacles in place.
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Oct 19, 2023
Temple
A place or edifice dedicated to the worship of some deity; as, the temple of Jupiter at Athens, or of Juggernaut in India.
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Oct 19, 2023
Temple
The edifice erected at Jerusalem for the worship of Jehovah.
Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.
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Temple
Hence, among Christians, an edifice erected as a place of public worship; a church.
Can he whose life is a perpetual insult to the authority of God enter with any pleasure a temple consecrated to devotion and sanctified by prayer?
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Oct 19, 2023
Temple
Fig.: Any place in which the divine presence specially resides.
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you?
The groves were God's first temples.
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Oct 19, 2023
Temple
To build a temple for; to appropriate a temple to; as, to temple a god.
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Temple
Place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
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Temple
The flat area on either side of the forehead;
The veins in his temple throbbed
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Oct 19, 2023
Temple
A religious building used for worship, prayer, and rituals in various faiths.
The Hindu temple is a vibrant center of worship and community gatherings.
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Nov 10, 2023
Temple
A building that serves as a focal point for religious ceremonies and festivals.
The temple was decorated for the annual religious festival.
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Temple
A structure with distinct architectural styles reflecting religious traditions.
The temple's architecture is a magnificent example of medieval Gothic design.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Do mosques have specific architectural features?
Yes, like domes and minarets.
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Can temples be found in all religions?
Not all, but many including Hinduism and Buddhism.
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Are mosques open to non-Muslims?
Most mosques welcome visitors, but some may have restrictions.
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What is the significance of a temple's architecture?
It often reflects the religious principles and artistic heritage of the faith.
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What religions primarily use temples?
Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, among others.
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Are there icons or statues in a mosque?
No, mosques typically avoid figurative imagery.
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Can anyone visit a temple?
Generally, yes, but some may have specific entry requirements.
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Is there a dress code for entering a mosque?
Yes, modest clothing covering most of the body.
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What activities occur in a temple?
Worship, rituals, community events, and festivals.
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Are temples used for educational purposes?
In some religions, temples also serve as centers for learning.
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Can temples have multiple deities?
In religions like Hinduism, temples often house multiple deities.
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Do mosques have specific prayer times?
Yes, Muslims pray five times a day at set times.
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Do temples host social events?
Many temples are central to religious and cultural community gatherings.
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What is the main purpose of a temple?
To provide a sacred space for worship and religious practices.
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How are mosques funded?
Typically through community donations and fundraising.
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What is the role of an Imam in a mosque?
To lead prayers and provide religious guidance.
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Are mosques designed to face a certain direction?
Yes, towards Mecca, which Muslims face during prayer.
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Nov 26, 2023
Do mosques serve a community role?
Yes, as centers for both religious and community activities.
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Nov 26, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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