Research questions preston liew

1. Research Questions (Spirituality & Sense of place)
- by Preston Liew Ru Ping 0313822
- Spirituality: the sense of sublime Contemplation in submission to Allah – Tawhid (sense of submission to Allah/sense of
nothing [none] equal to Allah/sense of realising the Shahadah/ sense of unity of Muslim)
Interviewee: Encik Ahmad bin Haris
Venue: Darul Ehsan Mosque
1. If you are given freedom to redesign a mosque, what is the strategic area that best promotes the
spiritual sense of Tawhid?
Ans: Center of the mosque under the dome and chandelier.
2. What kind of site condition that you think is the most conducive in enhancing Kusyuk towards Allah
when conducting prayer or ibadah?
Ans: When there is a nice garden outside, water fountains and especially when the temperature is
nice!
3. What is the best mosque atmosphere to promote Kusyuk?
Ans: When the interior has coloured glass, water sound from fountain and the echoes of praying.
4. What is the best congregation condition do you feel best in enhancing your individual sense of
Kusyuk?
Ans: When the crowd is not too many and not too small.
5. In your opinion, does the physical scale of the mosque affects the Kusyuk? From your experience
which scale is best for Kusyuk?
Ans: Yes. When the scale is big it’s nice, you stand in awe. Locally the best one would be the Shah Alam
Mosque.
6. Does the details (ornaments, sculpting etc) of the space affect the spirituality of Tawhid? Which and
why?
Ans: Yes, especially the chandeliers, coloured glass, light from the glass, the dome etc. Because they all
play a part in increasing the Kusyuk-ness and holy atmosphere.
7. Does praying inside the mosque differs from praying at home? How does it differ?

2. Ans: Yes, the Kusyuk-ness when praying in the mosque is much better than praying at home. Because
at home, most of the time we’re rushing to get it done especially when Astro is around.
8. What difference can you feel in terms of sense of Tawhid in the prayer hall compared to outside?
Ans: Difference in ambiance I’ll say. Because in the mosque you have the dome, the coloured glasses,
light coming in etc. to improve praying.
9. What activities that is always going on in this mosque that makes you feel this mosque is a place you
are comfortable to dwell in?
Ans: Mostly is from learning. In terms of Quran learning there are classes, and during prayer time
there’s sometimes lectures depending on who’s leading the prayer. And we celebrate Raya here as
well.
10. How does the community of prayers here contribute in making the spiritual atmosphere more holy?
Ans: When the more people come pray during praying time, especially the regulars because no point
for a big mosque to have small crowd. Next, when everybody is dressed like a prayer with decent
clothing. Finally, cleanliness is very important as well in terms of personal hygiene and the hygiene of
the mosque. All of this will improve the sense of closeness to God.