Prayer mat

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A prayer mat or prayer rug, (in Arabic, سجادة sajada (plural sajjad) or musallah, in Persian: جانماز Janamaz), is a piece of fabric (often decorated) used by Muslims during their five daily prayers (Salat). Though not required for prayer, the prayer mat helps to keep the worshipper clean and comfortable during the prostrations of prayer. A Muslim must clean himself or herself before prayer and pray in a clean place.

Prayer rugs are usually made in the towns or villages of the communities who use them and are often named after the origins of those who deal and collect them. The exact pattern will vary greatly by original weavers and the different materials used. Some may have patterns, dyes and materials that are traditional/native to the region in which they were made. Prayer rugs' patterns generally have a niche at the top, which is turned to face Mecca. During prayer the supplicant kneels at the base of the rug and places his or her hands at either size of the niche at the top of the rug, his or her forehead touching the niche. Typical prayer rug sizes are approximately 3' x 5' - 4' x 6', enough to kneel above the fringe on one end and bend down and place the head on the other.

Some countries produce textiles with prayer rug patterns for export. Many modern prayer rugs are strictly commercial pieces made in large numbers to sell on an international market or tourist trade. These pieces generally have little value and some are made using the same pattern by many weavers on a shift in a warehouse setting. Some may even be machine made.

There are many prayer rugs in existence today which have been taken care of for more than 100 years. In most cases, they have been immediately and carefully rolled after each prayer.

[edit] See also

Persian embroidery