Jordan University of Science and TechnologyCollege of Architecture and Design Department of ArchitectureIslamic Architecture

Islamic Architecture

Dr. Raed Al Tal

The definition

Islamic architecture is the entire range of architecture that has evolved from Islam as a social, cultural, political and religious phenomenon.

Hence the term encompasses religious buildings as well as secular ones, historic as well as modern expressions, and the production of all places that have come under the varying levels of Islamic influence.

Islamic architecture can be influenced by - chronology

- geography- building typology

Islamic Architecture

How did it begin?

- By following the tradition of the Prophet, i.e. building a mosque when they start to occupy a new settlement

- Transformation of buildings used by the people before the Muslims took over the state / country,for e.g. Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey

General Elements of Islamic style- Focus on interior of space rather than exterior - Use of geometric shape and repetitive art (arabesque)-Extensive use of decorative Arabic calligraphy- Use of bright color

-Mosques

-Use of symmetry- Large domes, Minarets , and ablution fountain-A mihrab inside mosque to indicate the direction of Mecca-Large courtyard often merged with a central praying hall

Interpretation of Islamic style

- The concept of Allah’s infinite power is evoked by design with repetitive theme which suggests infinity

-Figurative forms are rarely depicted in decorative art as Allah’s work is matchless.

-plants is a frequent motif but typically stylized or simplified

-The use of calligraphy is actually means of education and reminder as they are taken from the verses of al-Quran

-It has been called the ‘architecture of the veil’ because the beauty lies in the inner spaces which are not visible from the outside

- Use of impressive forms such as large domes, towering minarets and large courtyard has both symbolic meaning and scientific purposes

Jordan University of Science and TechnologyCollege of Architecture and Design Department of ArchitectureIslamic Architecture

Dr. Raed Al Tal

Space and Direction

What Is A Masjid?

Masjid from a linguistic point of view

Linguistically, it comes on the scheme of maf`il with a kasrah [i.e. the 'i' of masjid] which is ism makan [i.e., name of location] for prostration

The Arab grammarians classify masjid as "ism makan", i.e., "name of location"; it indicates the place where an action takes place

Since a place of worship is a place where believers prostrate to God, "masjid" is a general term to designate any place of worship without any religious distinction.

(the earth has been made for me a "masjid") means a place for prostration,

The House and Mosque of the Prophet at Medina:

The Islamic prototype of both religious and residential architecture, built in 622 C. E. (1 A.H. or After Hegira, the emigration of the Prophet to Medina), and enlarged several times in the first century of Islam by Omar (638), then by Othman (644) .

the most important of which is the enlargement of al- Walid, the Umayyad caliph, in 707.

• Mosque and House of Prophet Mohammad at Medina (623) was the first gathering place for communal prayer in Islam

• Mud brick simple structure consisted of two rooms and a square courtyard ( later increased to nine rooms) – in the south east corner

• The communal prayers were held in the court yard• • For the comfort of the worshippers a portico (zulla)

made of palm trunks and branches was built on the north side.

• Also small shelter was built to accommodate the visitors who sometimes spent the night

Architecturally, the Prophet Mosque was consisted of:

- Courtyard (sahn),

- Prayer Hall (musalla)

- Portico (zulla): made of palm trunks and branches was built on the north side of the courtyard; also served as a place for deliberations (social activities, political debate, community affairs)

– The prophet’s house (two rooms increased to 9)

In the year 707-709 the Caliph al Walid I (705-15) ordered the expansion of the Prophet mosque

The walls were built of cut stone and timber roof

later the mosque was given four corner minarets

1256 the mosque was destroyed by fire and rebuilt again

The expansion of Islam

The conquests of Arab Muslims outside Arabia brought a new vision of architecture that replaced the simple vernacular architecture of the Arabs

As a result of this expansion that began in 632 Muslims established new cities such as Busra and Kufa and built mosques in these cities

In some other cities like Damascus and Alepo, Muslims did changes on these cities to fit the new

religion

Churches were changed to be mosques, in many examples like the Umayyad Mosque, it was

consisted of two parts , church and mosque at the same time

The prayer could be performed anywhere

The Mosque at Kufa and Basra were very simple

In the mosque of Kufa the Dar al-Imara (governor’s palace) first appeared

According to Tabari the first mosque of Kufa had a square plan established by a man throwing an arrow from the center towards each four cardinal points

The area thus designated was surrounded by a ditch (khandaq) and in the Kiblah side a portico (zulla)

the side of the qibla organized into five aisles and the others arranged into two.

A good way to determine a visualized space

Marble columns were taken from the buildings of al-Hira supported a wooden roof

Pebbles were spread on the ground to counteract the dust in the interior

No walls were indicated , nor was there a mihrab since the whole zulla faced the kiblah

A combination of congregational mosque and governor’s palace

The maqsura: separated or screened place for private prayer, it was an innovation of the early Umayyad period, introduced by Mu’awiya

The mosque was rebuilt by Ziyad ibn Abihi

638-639

The mosque of Kufa and the Dar al-Imara (governor’s palace)

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