The 6 Elements of the Mosque Architecture

To define mosque architecture or Islamic Architecture, we should instead initially focus on the roots and the origins of Islamic Art in general. Islam goes without saying, for its richness in all kinds of arts. Therefore, mosques will not be an exception, as they are related to Islamic Architecture in the first place, which derives in particular from Islamic Art.

In addition, and as acknowledged, the architectural work is created under specific needs to be filled accordingly; therefore the call for God’s faithfulness accompanied by the Prophet’s Revelation was enough to start over the mission.

The finest pieces of this art and architecture are clearly distinguishable across the world by the vivacious colors in floral designs. (see Fig. No.1)

Fig. No.3- The famous spiral minaret in Sammoura'a, Iraq. Photo by Wikipedia

Sometimes, a fountain of water may centers on this open patio, for a doubled purpose; A helpful air cooler and environment refresher especially in hot lands, and important for the ablutions, which is the cleansing obligation done before starting the prayer.

2. Minaret (tower)

The MINARET is one of the most visible aspects of mosque architecture; It is a tower adjacent to or attached to the main mosque building, from which the call to prayer is announced.

Some historians said that the minaret is an analog copy of the bell tower that was common in the churches since their existing and still, and has the same purpose, but this information is not yet proven and wasn’t justified by any discovered manuscripts or other written document.

Minarets could take many different forms and shapes—from the famous spiral minaret of Sammoura'a in Iraq (see Fig. No.3, above) to the tall, and pencil-shaped minarets of Aya Sophia, Ottoman in Turkey. (see Fig. No.4, below)

Fig. No.4- The pencil-shaped minarets of Aya Sophia in Turkey, Photo provided by Wikipedia

Actually, the presence of minarets was always a strong visual reminder of Islam's existence and not only a functional element in architecture.

3. The Mihrab (niche)

Next is the Mihrab, another essential element of the mosque architecture: It is an important component and is located inside the prayer hall; Actually, it is a niche recessed and not so deep in the wall (Fig. No.2, above) that indicates the direction of MECCA, towards which all Muslims should pray, whatever their location is in the world.

Another rare type takes the form of a small room, as shown in Fig. No.5.

Mecca is the city where the Prophet Muhammad was born, and the home of the most important Islamic site: the Ka'aba, the first pilgrimage place for all the Muslims in the world. (see Fig. No.6, below) The direction of Mecca is called the QIBLA, so the wall in which the mihrab is set is called the qibla wall.

No matter where a mosque is located, its mihrab indicates the direction of Mecca (or the nearest direction to it, where there is an ability to place it). Therefore, and as an example, a Mihrab in India will be to the West, while another one in Egypt will be to the East.

Fig. No.6- The Holly Ka'aba in Mecca, Photo by Wikipedia

4. Qubba (dome)

Most of the mosques also feature one or more domes, called QUBBA in Arabic. While it is not a ritual requirement like the mihrab, a dome does possess a symbolic significance inside the mosque—as it strongly represents the Vault of Heaven. Its interior decoration with its various ornaments is a mixture of a wonderfully painted pattern, featuring complex geometry, stellate, or plantation motifs intended to awe and inspire.

The wall of qibla, being the holiest part of the mosque, is essentially featured with a dome above it. However, some other mosque types incorporate multiple domes into their architecture; An example, such as the Great Mosque of Kairouan in Tunisia, has three domes: one atop the minaret, a second one above the entrance of the prayer hall, and the ritual one, if we can say, over the qibla wall. (see Fig. No.7)

Fig. No.7- A 3d model showing the different parts of a Typical Mosque and its location, here is the Great Mosque of Kairouan in Tunisia, Photo: www.purposegames.com

Fig. No.8- The Qibla Wall is the most decorated place in the Mosque, as shown here in the Sultan Hassan Mosque in Cairo, Photo by Wikipedia

5. Furnishings

The decorative elements are common in most mosques. For instance, a large calligraphic frieze or cartouches with a major inscription are often used above the Mihrab and appear in the Minbar’s ornament. In most cases, the calligraphic inscriptions are quotations inspired mainly by the Qur’an, and often include the date of the building's dedication and the name of the investor.

Fig. No.9- The gigantic luster featured in Mohammed Al-Amin Mosque in Beirut. Photo: Wikipedia

Another important feature of mosque architecture and decoration is the hanging lamps or the huge pending lusters, as noticed in Mohammed El-Amin mosque in Beirut (as shown in Fig. No.9, above) These are distinctive by their massive material and out-of-scale volume and are specially manufactured for the proposed project. Since the first and last daily prayers occur before the sun rises and after the sun sets respectively, light is an essential component for mosques.

Before electricity was discovered, mosques were illuminated with oil lamps. Hundreds of such lamps hung inside a mosque would create a magical scene, with soft light emerging from each, highlighting the calligraphy and other decorations.

Although it is not an essential part of the mosque building, not either a ritual feature, lamps, along with other furnishings like carpets and textiles, consist of a significant, though passing aspect of the mosque architecture.

6. Mosque Patronage

Most historical mosques are not stand-alone buildings. Many of them include charitable institutions like hospitals, schools, and orphans. Also, some mosque donors choose to include their own mausoleum as part of their mosque complex, and the examples of such cases are various and many.

As a practical result, an extension will be added to the main block of the mosque that includes the facilities mentioned above, which can add splendor to the whole architectural composition. Or on the contrary, it can be a more disturbing solution depending on the concept adopted by the designer or Architect. The donation of charitable institutions is a principal aspect of the Islam belief, due in part to the third pillar of Islam, which calls for Muslims to donate a portion of their income to the poorer people.

Their names will be engraved in the calligraphic decoration of the mosques. Such inscriptions often honor the devoutness and generosity of the patron.

For instance, the mihrab recently at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, holds the following caption:

 

In the end, Arts related to a certain nation, in general, are their passport to communicating with other nations in the world, and the same music doesn't require to be translated.

We must note that Islamic Art and especially mosque architecture, is one of the rare world arts that keeps on fascinating and inspiring more designers and interested-in around the globe. Because of its beauty and originality, based on the mixture of several architectural styles and architectural orders together, creating an amazing secret blend recipe.

Still, the Islamic ornaments are well-known as the best in their class due to their richness and successful usage of proportion rules ever.

References in this article:

1- www.khanacademy.org
2- www.eng.wikipedia.org
3- www.ar.wikipedia.org