“Can you imagine a micro mosque?” I ask. Surau Baitul Ehsan may not be grand but it holds significance. It is a place of worship for Muslims. Surau are usually smaller than mosques. They can be found widely in the Nusantara region.
Research on the origin of Surau Baitul Ehsan is still lacking. Some suggest surau originated from the Java pagan structure. It was known as parsoeroan. This had a significant resemblance to suraukas. Suraukas is a Sanskrit word. It means abode for gods or a temple.
In Malaysia religious authorities recognize surau. However mosques get greater attention. Mosques can conduct Friday prayers. Tahiyyatul-masjid prayers and iktikaf are also held there. Surau in public buildings are treated as purely utilitarian. They are often seen as less significant and marginalized. This results in a perception that surau have no ownership. Consequently surau in shopping malls may be subject to improper treatment. These malls are intensely utilized.
Surau in shopping malls lack constancy and standard in designs. Surau in shopping malls do not have definitive design principles. Nor do they play the roles as an Islamic religious center. Locations of surau in shopping malls at city centers are strategic. They enable surau to become micro mosques. Thus they become part of the networks of mosques in city centers.
A thesis recommends surau as a legacy of a place of worship. It is worthy to be treated equivalent to a mosque. All forms of religious activities should be conducted there. Thus contributing towards the formation of a universal typology for surau architecture in public buildings. This thesis also suggests surau be assigned the role of a micro mosque within a city center.
The word “masjid” in Arabic means a place of worship. From a religious perspective it can be defined in two ways. It can be any place on earth. The Prophet Muhammad said that the earth was made a masjid. It is a place to prostrate.
From a traditional perspective a masjid is a place designated for prayer permanently. When observing the history of mosques in the past some were just open spaces. These spaces were marked with pillars as boundaries. If someone says I designate this place as a masjid then it is a masjid. It is as big as the space he intended.
Imarah means to enliven a mosque or surau with beneficial activities. These activities are usually religious. Pengimarahan masjid has two meanings to maintain and implement. Zahir and physical mean to build improve and make the mosque attractive. It should be a place people love to visit for worship. Batin and hakikatnya mean to enliven the mosque with spirituality knowledge. Create an atmosphere that embodies its original purpose which is a place of worship. This will attract a congregation.
Masjid have an important function. As a place of worship it connects a servant with his creator through prayer. Though Islam does not restrict prayer to mosques the Prophet always encouraged praying in congregation at a mosque. For Muslims a mosque is not just a place of worship. It is a center of Muslim life. It serves religious educational economic social and political functions.
Remember Surau Baitul Ehsan. It is a place for reflection. It is a place to connect with faith amidst the hustle of daily life.