MAQUETTE BETTERPAD-RAY - Shahada Mosque (Masjid Syahadat) Furniture

The existence of furniture in the Shahada mosque (masjid Syahadat) model/maquette is an additional feature that can support various activities held in the mosque. In addition to having certain functions, several other features can be used as decorations to beautify the appearance of the mosque space. With the furniture, the mosque's room does not look like a boring empty room, so the room is more filled and comfortable to look at. The following will explain the various features of the Shahada mosque design, part of the Betterpad-Ray (Benteng Terpadu Raya/Great Integrated Fortress) model/maquette.

Carpet / Prayer Mat Al Amin Mosque  Karangturi , Bulurejo, Nguntoronadi, Wonogiri Regency

Carpets are necessary in a mosque prayer room. Carpets are used to coat the floor of the mosque as a base for prayer. The carpet lining the floor has the benefit that the worshipers's feet are not cold during cold weather so the worship activities continue to be solemn. Carpets make the floor look neater and cleaner, especially the white or bright floors easily look dirty, so the presence of colored carpets can make the mosque floor look more beautiful. The color of the carpet should be green or yellow. Carpets that can also be called prayer mats should have a simpler motive so as not to disturb the mind of the worshipers during prayer.

Bookshelf of Al Amin Mosque Karangturi , Bulurejo, Nguntoronadi, Wonogiri Regency

Bookshelves are things that must be in a mosque that is used as a place of religious education. Indeed, reading the Qur'an can be done anywhere, but some like to read and study the Qur'an in the mosque, especially for worshipers who are traveling. So in the Shahada mosque (masjid Syahadat) will be provided with a shelf of the Qur'an to be read by the worshipers. The Qur'an will be placed higher than the waist of an adult who stands so that it is not played by children who may not understand about purification. Bookshelves are also placed in an affordable place, maybe on the sides of the room or near the mosque's pole for a small shelf. Generally in the bookshelf there is also a loan for prayer equipment such as mukena for women who should be placed behind the mosque.

Mimbar and Mihrab Ornaments

The mimbar (maybe pulpit in church) is a place for preachers to deliver khutbah during Friday prayers or Id prayers. The mimbar is located in front of the worshipers, can be in mihrab or adjacent to mihrab. In order for the preacher to deliver khutbah and communicate with the worshipers, the mimbar at the Shahada mosque (masjid Syahadat) will be made higher than the floor. Podium for khutbah and chairs for preachers when resting can already become one part, especially those made of wood. For the design of the Shahada mosque will use a wooden mimbar with simple carvings while still displaying beauty.

Loud speaker inside

Visible outside speakers on the roof of the Al Amin mosque

A preacher must deliver a khutbah loudly to be able to be heard by the worshipers, especially for large mosques that are many people. In order for the preacher not to shout, loudspeakers were provided. The audio system is also connected with loudspeakers outside the mosque to expand the range of voices during the call to prayer or announcement.

Example of a digital clock

Prayers are very closely related to time because one of the conditions of the obligatory prayer is to enter the prayer time according to the provisions. Therefore, the clock must be needed in the mosque to find out the time and requirements for arranging prayer times. In addition, the clock can also be used as a decoration so that the Shahada mosque is more beautiful. In modern times, the wall clock is no longer in the form of an analog clock, but there is already a digital clock that not only shows the time of the hour, but also the day, date, even displays the five-time prayer schedule correctly. In addition to the wall clock, there is also a clock in the form of a large closet that can beautify the mosque's room.

One of the Beduk as decoration at the Masjid Agung Jawa Tengah (Great Mosque of Central Java), Semarang City

Beduk (maybe drum) is a device that emits sound when beaten. The beduk sound is used as a sign of the entry of prayer times. Then the beduk is usually beaten to start the call to prayer as a prayer call. This is indeed the case that happened in Indonesia in ancient times, although its use has become increasingly rare nowadays. Beduk is only used as an accessory and strengthens the identity of Indonesian mosques. The shape of the beduk is usually a cylinder made of wood with a hollow center. The end of the cylinder is covered with dried animal skin (buffalo or cow). Animal skin is installed in such a way that it can make a distinctive noise when hit or beaten using a wooden bat.

Example of Calligraphy

Calligraphy is one of the art of writing (Arabic) which is a high-value work of art, so that it can be used as a decoration that further beautifies the mosque's room. The sentence written in calligraphy is generally in the form of lafadz Allah, Muhammad, Asmaul Husna, as well as fragments of verses from the Qur'an. Therefore, the placement of calligraphy must be in accordance with applicable Islamic rules, including being placed neatly and in clean places.

In designing a mosque, an architect or executor of building a mosque must follow the rules of Islam as a monotheistic religion originating from the Qur'an and Hadith. One of them is not to use all forms of sculpture and painting ornaments, both human and animal. Some opinions suggest that ornamental ornaments are on the outside of the mosque only, such as on the outer wall, tower, or dome or the roof of the mosque. This is done so that the beauty of the mosque appears from the outside, while the inside looks clean, neat, and holy. However, usually many provide ornaments on the interior of the mosque such as pulpits, poles, and walls. Mosque ornaments are usually in the form of calligraphy, carvings, or other decorations from paint. Ornaments can be displayed on the wall or become part of mosque buildings, for example on doors, windows, air vents, or mihrab. The shape of arches, lines, and circles can be displayed as elements of mosque ornaments.

The decoration of the mosque is not important. The important thing is that the mosque can be used as a place of worship, discussion, study and other activities. Mosques can provide various facilities for the benefit of the ummah. However, decoration can show the identity of the mosque and make people eager to go to the mosque. Ornaments that are in accordance with the teachings of religion, culture, and not too much are things that must be considered, as well as the design of the Shahada mosque (masjid Syahadat).

Hopefully the design of the Shahada Mosque (masjid Syahadat), which is part of the Betterpad-Ray (Benteng Terpadu Raya/Great Integrated Fortress) model/maquette, can inspire and be realized. Aamiin.

Reference:

·         Susanta, Gatut, and friends. Membangun Masjid & Mushola. 2007. Depok: Penebar Swadaya. (https://archive.org/stream/BukuArsitektur/1048_Membangun%20Masjid%20dan%20Mushola#mode/2up)