Islamic Mosque Architecture

• Islamic mosques possess unique architectural features tailored for worship and communal gatherings.

Major Parts of an Islamic Mosque

• Mihrab: A semicircular niche in the qibla wall, it indicates the direction of prayer and is often elaborate.
• Minbar: A stepped pulpit next to the mihrab, used by the imam for sermons.
• Qibla Wall: The wall that faces Mecca in a mosque.
• Sahn: A courtyard with a central fountain for ablution (ritual washing before prayer).
• Minaret: A tall tower (or towers), from which the call to prayer (adhan) is announced.
• Iwan: A vaulted space, typically enclosed on three sides, opening towards the mosque.
• Domes: Symbolize heaven and enhance acoustics when placed above the prayer hall.
• Riwaq: A covered arcade or gallery surrounding the sahn.

Example Islamic Structures:

• Great Mosque of Córdoba (Spain): Famous for its horseshoe arches.
• Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque, Turkey): Features six minarets and a massive dome.

Famous Works of Architect Koca Sinan

• Mimar Koca Sinan (1489-1588) was a chief Ottoman architect, regarded as one of history's greatest.
• Notable works by Sinan:
• Süleymaniye Mosque (Istanbul, Turkey): Built for Suleiman the Magnificent, it blends Byzantine and Islamic influences.
• Selimiye Mosque (Edirne, Turkey): Considered Sinan's masterpiece, features a massive dome (31.3m diameter).
• Şehzade Mosque: An early, perfectly symmetrical work showcasing Ottoman aesthetics.
• Rüstem Pasha Mosque: Notable for its elaborate Iznik tiles with floral and geometric patterns.
• Kılıç Ali Pasha Mosque: Showcases elegant domes, built for an Ottoman admiral.
• Mosques: Places of worship, such as Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (Prophet's Mosque, Medina).
• Madrasas: Religious schools, for example, Al-Azhar University (Cairo, Egypt).
• Caravanserais: Inns for traders and travelers along trade routes.
• Palaces: Luxurious residences, like the Alhambra (Spain), known for intricate stucco work.
• Mausoleums: Elaborate tombs, for example, the Taj Mahal, a fusion of Persian and Indian styles.

Two Persuasions of Islam

• Islam has two major sects that disagree on leadership.
• Sunni Islam: Largest sect (85-90%), believes in leadership through elected caliphs (successors to Muhammad).
• Shia Islam: Believes leadership should be passed through Muhammad's family, specifically through Ali, his cousin and son-in-law.
• Islamic architecture includes various building types.

Islamic Architectural Features

• Key elements include:
• Pointed Arches: Often used in mosques for structural support.
• Muqarnas: Decorative stalactite-like vaulting in domes and entrances.
• Arabesques: Intricate geometric and floral motifs in tilework and stucco.
• Calligraphy: Use of Quranic inscriptions for decoration.
• Horseshoe Arches: Widely used in Moorish architecture (Al-Andalus).
• Prominent Buildings:
  • Kubbet-es-Sakhra (Dome of the Rock), Jerusalem
  • The Mosque of the Prophet's House, Medina
  • The Mosque of Al-Ashar, Cairo
  • Mosque of Al-Aqsa, Jerusalem
  • The Great Mosque, Damascus
  • The Great Mosque of Malwiya, Samarra
  • The Mosque of Sultan Baybars, Cairo
  • The Qubbat As – Sulaibiya, Samarra
  • Madrasah of Sultan Salih, Cairo
  • City of Baghdad
  • The Mosque of 'Amr, Cairo
  • Great Mosque, Kairouan, Tunisia
  • Fatih Mosque, Istanbul
  • The Alhambra, Granada
  • Masjid-i-Jami, Isfahan
  • Gur-i-Mir, Samarkand
  • The Great Mosque, Cordoba
  • Tarik-Khan Mosque, Damghan
  • Chinli Kiosk, Istanbul
  • Mosque of Sultan Bayazit, Edirne
  • Madrasah Madir-i-Shah, Isfahan
  • Mosque of Bayazit, Istanbul
  • Jami Masjid, Almadabad
  • Suleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul
  • The Tomb of Sher Sah, Sahsaram
  • The Selimiye Mosque, Edirne
  • Tomb of Humayun, Delhi
  • The Mosque of Sultan Ahmed, Istanbul
  • Taj-Mahal, Agra