The Mosque In History Theology Religion Essay Example

modern architectural principles have been adapted to suit the local climate and context. Rather than imitating colonial-era mosques, it represents Islam in a unique way. The development of form and space in ancient and modern mosques are closely connected and will be explored by examining the origin and early development of mosques. One important design rule of a mosque is its main orientation towards infinity, which is influenced by human circulation patterns and activities around it. Additionally, the supplication ritual affects the spatial layout of a mosque. Finally, there are similarities and differences between ancient and modern mosques regarding their orientation towards infinity. The beginnings of Masjid (also known as a Mosque) can be traced back to the birth of Islam in 610 when Prophet Muhammad received instructions from angel Gabriel about reading verses from the Quran given by Allah himself (Quran 96:1-4).After receiving a divine message, Prophet Muhammad began preaching in Mecca, urging people to abandon idols and believe in one God. Initially facing opposition with only a small following, he was invited to move to Yathrib (later Medina) in 622. This journey, known as hijra, marks the first year of the Muslim Era. The establishment of the Five Pillars of Islam is attributed to the birth of the Mosque. The second pillar, namaz or Prayer, requires Muslims to pray five times a day at specific times. This prayer can be done individually (dua) or collectively at home or at the Mosque (salat). It is also prescribed that adult males participate in communal prayers on Fridays, which is why mosques are often called Friday mosques or congregational mosques. Prophet Muhammad used his house in

Medina as a center for spiritual and community activities as followers grew. Eventually, this led to the establishment of history's first mosque. For details about a generic mosque floor plan, refer to page 19 of Mosque book.The given text does not specify the central design principle of a mosque. However, the design of a mosque is determined by its purpose and location. Whether it is a small sanctuary in a town or a larger congregational or territorial mosque, there are certain standardized components and features. One important part is the designated area for prayer, which may be partially covered to accommodate worshippers during prayer. This covered area, known as the prayer hall or haram, varies in size depending on the size of the courtyard (sahn). The fourth side of the courtyard provides access to the prayer hall. Typically rectangular in shape, the prayer hall is supported by columns.

Another significant feature is the Qibla wall and Mihrab. The Qibla wall guides worshippers in their prayers as it directly faces Mecca. Within this wall lies the highly adorned niche called Mihrab. Serving as a focal point, it symbolizes the direction towards Mecca.

Furthermore, there is an additional element called Minbar or dais positioned to right of Mihrab. It consists of stairs leading to a platform topped with a cupola-shaped roof. Prophet Muhammad introduced Minbar when his followers increased in numbers at his house in MedinaOverall, the components and features of mosque architecture serve as important elements of Islamic worship. The dais is used to elevate the speaker during Friday prayers in large mosques. It can vary in size and decoration, ranging from a small platform to a grand

table. The Minbar and Dikka are platforms at the same level as the Mihrab, with their own set of stairs. From these raised platforms, speakers reenact the Imam's positions to transmit sermons to a larger audience. The Pool is another significant feature in mosque design, providing a place for ablutions before prayers. Some pools can accommodate multiple individuals under running water and are often located near the central courtyard. There are also purely decorative pools found in mosques like the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore.The Minaret is a tower-like structure that amplifies the voice of the Muezzin during the call to prayer, ensuring it can be heard from a distance. In Prophet Muhammad's time, supplication calls were made from his house roof in Medina. Minarets became common in mosques worldwide until the late fifteenth century. The National Mosque of Malaysia has an ornately decorated main portal that serves as an entrance between the bustling city environment and the serene atmosphere inside. This entrance holds psychological importance and showcases God's presence and the mosque's magnificence. Mosques' architecture varies across regions due to local technological advancements, climate conditions, and availability of materials. Human circulation and activities also influence the positioning of spaces around a mosque. Ablution facilities are typically located at the main entrance or within the prayer hall or courtyard for believers to cleanse themselves before prayers. Some mosques have pools or fountains both for aesthetics and ablution purposes, like The First Mosque which has a central courtyard pool that believers pass through before entering the prayer hall.The National Mosque and Blue Mosque both have ablution facilities on their left and right sides. Mausoleums, considered sacred places,

are strategically located in quiet areas with minimal foot traffic. To instill a sense of purity and tranquility, the mausoleums are often situated at the end of long paths. For instance, the National Mosque in Malaysia has its mausoleum placed at the far end of the plan with a lengthy marble floor path. On the other hand, the prayer hall is positioned directly perpendicular to the entrance portal and Qibla wall within the main space to create a visually prominent area. Although accommodating more people, it is intentionally not placed in an area with high circulation to ensure easy access for all visitors while minimizing noise and disturbance caused by human activities. The First mosque program includes a courtyard featuring a fountain for ablution as well as a supplication hall at its front. The spatial layout of this mosque is influenced by the supplication ritual which necessitates facing Mecca, resulting in a fixed Qibla wall and perpendicular entryway being included. The supplication hall maintains a straight form but also incorporates separate spaces for men and women through segregation within it. Historically, women were discouraged from praying inside mosquesProphet Muhammad recommended praying in inner suites rather than at home, and praying at home is better than praying in the courtyard. Praying in the courtyard is considered better than praying in the local mosque, and praying in the local mosque is considered better than praying in his own mosque (Prophet Muhammad, Sex segregation and Islam, 2012). However, women are not prohibited from entering the mosque. Instead, Prophet Muhammad arranged for women to sit in the last row while men sit in the first row. This seating arrangement

allows women to leave the mosque first without encountering men after congregational prayer.

An analysis diagram of a prayer hall reveals that in the First Mosque or National Mosque, men are seated at the front while women are seated at the back. The National Mosque has an interesting method of segregation using a circular guide where outermost beds near the entrance are reserved for women and innermost beds are for men.

The National Mosque or First Mosque features a prayer hall facing towards Qiblah with its main entrance opposite to Qiblah wall. There is also a designated meeting place for spiritual meetings between imams. Separate areas within this mosque cater to male and female worshippers with males occupying front rows and females occupying back rows. The prayer space itself is divided into two layers: an inner circle exclusively for male prayers and an outer circle designated for female prayers. Unlike traditional mosques, minarets are not present here.The First Mosque, known for its historical significance in Islamic architecture, differs from contemporary mosques in terms of spatial orientation. Inspired by the layout of the Prophet's House in Medina, it influenced the designs of modern-day mosques. The First Mosque includes a fountain for ablution and other facilities, as well as a resident area that was once occupied by Prophet Muhammad. Additionally, it features a mausoleum enclosing burial chambers. However, contemporary mosques like the National Mosque of Malaysia have distinct differences such as larger scale and more compact spaces. The National Mosque also has its defining characteristic - the Makam Pahlawan - dedicated to seven statesmen of the country.The white marble floor and surrounding pool in the National Mosque create an

atmosphere of purity and tranquility, making it a prime example of modern mausoleum architecture (Long & Hussain, 2007). In contrast, the First Mosque provided accommodation for Prophet Muhammad and those in need. While both mosques have similar courtyards, their functions differ when it comes to the pool and fountain. The First Mosque's courtyard had a fountain for ablution purposes, while the rectangular water feature in the National Mosque is mainly decorative with separate ablution facilities available. The prayer hall also shows notable differences in sex segregation. In the First Mosque, adult males sit upfront while females sit at the back to allow them to exit first. On the other hand, the National Mosque separates males and females by creating two levels: males on the ground floor (inner circle) and females on the first floor (outer circle). There is even a separate staircase exclusively for ladies in the National Mosque. Furthermore, unlike the First Mosque, the National Mosque includes a minaret as part of its design.The minaret in the National Mosque is situated within a water feature in the courtyard, featuring Islamic fenestration designs. It serves as a prominent landmark, reminding believers to answer God's call. Both mosques have a compulsory Qibla wall and an entrance opposite it, highlighting the significance of prayer within their halls. They also provide designated areas for religious gatherings between Imams. The architectural engineering, typography, local climate factors, and cultural context account for the differences and similarities observed among mosques worldwide. It is well-established that all mosques originate from the First Mosque but undergo certain modifications over time. Cultural individuality is expressed through physical elements in mosque architecture, which immigrant communities

tend to adopt as well. However, when various societal, cultural or national groups strive to establish a collective identity through a single building complex, solutions can be diverse and eclectic. It should be noted that contemporary mosque design must consider the concept of a mosque as a sacred space since Islam does not inherently require a fixed holy site. While individuals and groups can pray anywhere they choose, their chosen place holds sacred value due to its continuity.According to Frishman and Khan (1994), the mosque is considered as the most significant Islamic building in today's society. It serves as a representation of the changing values within Muslim society, reflecting both the desires of its members and the overall societal changes.