Allahu Akbar, Allahu akbar -God is most great, God is most great! These are the beginning words of the adhan (call to prayer) that beckon Muslims to prayer five times a day. Along with the call to prayer and ablutions, meant to purify and prepare the body for presentation before Allah (God), the prayer rug is of central importance to prayer.


Not only does the prayer rug compliment the idea of purity by providing a clean place for Muslims to pray, but it also serves as a portable sanctuary that can be rolled out anytime, anywhere. Perhaps the greatest significance of the prayer rug lies not in its physical existence, but in in the symbolism of its artistic details.


This particular prayer rug comes from 19th century Iran and is made of cotton. Its depiction of spring flowers and its vivid shades of yellow, red, and blue are characteristic of Iranian textiles and carpets. The red panel located in the center of the rug is a representation of a mihrab, a prayer niche that points towards the direction of Mecca, which is the location of the yearly hijra (pilgrimage).

Enlarged view of inscribed Text:
"In the glorification and praise of my most high Lord"

By pointing toward Mecca, the direction in which all Muslims pray, the mihrab symbolizes the unity of the worldwide Muslim community and the importance of communal prayer. It also establishes the feeling of a sacred time and space Muslims enter into when they pray.

This prayer rug was acquired as part of a kind donation from the Carl and Pauline Birky Collection.

Learn more: Mihab Prayer Rug (1995.24.0011)

Most of the artifacts in Artifacts of the Month articles are chosen to allow website visitors to explore artifacts that are not on display in the Museum's galleries. Try searching the database or exploring the Virtual Tour to find artifacts on display.