To better understand the place of worship for followers of Islam, we need to learn a little more about the different parts of a mosque. We are accustomed to the magnificent architecture of Christian cathedrals and churches, but the mosques that are found in various regions today are a testament to the architectural richness of Islam.
They are different from what we are used to seeing, but truly magnificent. They are known for their vibrant colors, elaborate ornamentation, and domes, with some considered among the most beautiful mosques in the world . In this post, we will not only discuss everything related to these structures, but we will also mention some of the most breathtaking mosques that you should visit on your future travels.
Mosques are the heart of the Muslim community; they are where people go to pray, but they are also centers of education, study, and knowledge . Therefore, it can be said that these buildings serve not only a religious purpose, but also a political, social, cultural, and even educational one.
What is the mosque and what are its functions?
A mosque is a building where Muslims worship their prophet. Throughout history, mosques have become a fundamental element of communities and cities , as these were often built around this place of worship.
Today, especially in Muslim countries, mosques are located almost everywhere in cities. This makes it easier to perform the five daily prayers that Muslims do.
Mosques come in various shapes and sizes, as we will see in the next section. Their size and shape vary depending on population density from one area to another. Early in their history, and sometimes even today, Muslims employ local artisans or architects to construct these buildings.
Mosques have evolved and developed remarkably over the years. Many of the structures we see today feature courtyards, fountains, relaxation areas, and more. Originally, they were much simpler constructions than those found today.
Inside, you'll usually find no images or statues, although sometimes you might see decorations with verses from their holy book , the Quran, or designs with geometric shapes. You might find more contemporary designs or more classic designs, which are called arabesques.
When a Muslim enters a mosque, they escape the hustle and bustle of the material world and immerse themselves in a haven of calm , a kind of sanctuary. Mosques are places of worship. The word mosque, as we know it today, means a building for prayer, but its Arabic origin, "masjid," has many other meanings.
It can mean a place to kneel, a place of prostration. When Muslims pray, they rest their foreheads on the ground to be closer to their God. Prayer creates a bond between believers and the Prophet.
The main function of a mosque, as we have seen, is religious, but its social function is also important because this building is considered a place where the Muslim community meets and holds different gatherings, as well as teaching everything related to Islam.
types of mosque
For many years, more specifically since the 7th century, mosques have been built in different parts of the world. As we can all imagine, there are different types of constructions , and this is what we are going to look at next: the three most common forms.
Hypostyle Mosque
Its architecture is inspired by the house of the Prophet Muhammad . This first place of worship spread on a large scale throughout Islamic territories. An example of this is the Great Mosque of Kairouan in Tunisia.
Mosque of four iwans
This new architectural style appeared in the 11th century. It consisted of a vaulted space with a large courtyard on one side. Each wall of this courtyard contained a vaulted room, known as an iwan.
central dome mosque
Ottoman architects were notably influenced by the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, one of the largest Byzantine churches, which featured a central dome. The Islamic architect Mimar Sinan created a dome taller and wider than that of this church, with a simple yet perfect design.
parts of the mosque
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It's time to delve into the different parts that make up a mosque. Therefore, we will now name and explain each part for better understanding.
- qibla: it is a question of a miro, oriented towards Mecca and to which the faithful direct their prayers and prayers.
- Almemor: pulpit, from which the sermon is recited or read. It is a wooden construction in the shape of a chair, with several steps.
- Minaret: it is the tower, located in the patio area from where the call to prayer is made. Inside this tower, there are some stairs and a terrace at the top.
- Treasure chamber: place, where the treasures of the Muslims are kept. These treasures are donations or alms that are made for any community need.
- Chairs: it is the lectern, where his holy book is placed.
- Macsura: this is an area, which is bounded at the front of the mihrab. It is a recitation, which is reserved by the caliph and all his entourage or his relatives.
- Measure: room, where purification rituals are performed on different parts of the body. It is a recitation, where there are latrines and pools with water to carry out these acts.
- Mihrab: we are talking about an arch, which is located in the central part of the qibla wall. This marks the direction to Mecca, the point most revered by Muslims. In addition, it recalls the place that was occupied by the Prophet Mohammed in his mosque.
- Patio: open space, which is surrounded by galleries and is located in the north or northeast half of these buildings of worship. Inside the patio, you can find fountains, wells, trees, etc.
- Sabbath: in this case, we refer to a passageway that connects the alcazar with the aljama mosque. This passageway is used by the caliph and his entourage so as not to be seen.
- Sala de oracion: it is the space, where the faithful perform their prayers. This space is divided into three parts by means of arches and columns. Its doors lead directly to the street and others to the patio. Next to their entrances, there is usually an area to leave footwear.
- saqifas: they are galleries located on the sides of the patio and that have the function of sheltering the faithful, especially women during prayer.
- Yamur: this part of the mosque, are the finials of the almires. These auctions are composed of a mast with three balls. Sometimes a crescent is usually placed.
Mosques of the world that you should visit
As we mentioned at the beginning of this post, we're accustomed to the beauty of Christian churches and think there's nothing to compare them to, but that's not the case. There are many mosques around the world, full of color and ornamentation, that are truly worth visiting.
Pink Mosque – Iran
www.turismodeiran.es
This mosque is located in Shiraz, one of Iran's most populous cities. It may not seem like much from the outside, but once inside, you'll be speechless. Built in 1888, its stained-glass windows are particularly beautiful, reflecting the sunlight and creating vibrant colors on the interior walls.
Al-Masjid an-Nabawi – Saudi Arabia
www.visitsaudi.com
One of the most important mosques in the world is the one we just mentioned, as it houses the remains of Muhammad. This structure has a total of ten minarets . It was built by Muhammad himself and his followers, but has been renovated several times.
Selim Mosque – Turkey
islamicart.museumwnf.org
It is considered the pinnacle of Ottoman architecture and is therefore a World Heritage Site. Located in the European part of Turkey, very close to the border with Greece, it was built on an octagonal base and features four impressive 70-meter-high minarets.
Sheikh Zayed Mosque – Abu Dhabi
Last but not least, we bring you a project that aimed to build the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates. Visually, it's a spectacular structure with white marble cladding and architectural elements from all Islamic cultures.
There are many more really unique and beautiful mosques that you should know and if you have the chance to visit them, do it. Not only to be amazed at its great beauty, but also so that in each one of them you can visualize the different parts that make up a mosque, as we have indicated in the previous section.
We hope that this article has been interesting for you where we have talked about everything that revolves around these religious constructions and that you are encouraged to visit some of them on your next trips.