Islamic MosqueIslamic Mosque

Learning the Form and Learning the Form and FunctionFunction

World’s Largest Mosque, a Muslim World’s Largest Mosque, a Muslim house of worship,house of worship, located in Lahore, located in Lahore,

PakistanPakistan Generally it is a flat, rectangular building with a circular dome on top. Towers (minarets) are part of the structure. The central organizing feature is its orientation to the spiritual center, the Kaaba, which is the house of God in Makkah.

MinaretMinaretLocated in Yemen, the adhan (call to prayer) is given from here. Over time Minarets have become more prominent in appearanceMuslims pray five times a day Adhan can be heard over great distances- up to ten blocks with loud speakers

Sahn (courtyard)Sahn (courtyard)The ablution fountain is in the foreground.Arcade (covered walkway) is behind it.A courtyard where Muslims can meet without disturbing those inside.An arcade surrounds the sahn and provides shelter from heat and rainAblution fountains used to wash hands, feet, and face before prayerSymbolic for need to spiritually be pure and clean ; prepare to meet God.

Salat (prayer)Salat (prayer)

The prayer hallThe prayer hallMuslims remove shoes Muslims remove shoes before stepping onto the before stepping onto the carpeted floor.carpeted floor.Open design allows for Open design allows for standing, bowing, standing, bowing, prostrating, and prostrating, and kneeling during salat.kneeling during salat.Symbolic for the need Symbolic for the need for humility, obediencefor humility, obedience

MinbarMinbar

The minbar is located along the qiblah wall (the wall that indicates the direction of the Kaaba, the house of God, located in Makkah.Raised puplit where imam stands while leading Khutba (Friday service)Top step, with canopy, is left vacant out of respect for Muhammad

MihrabMihrab

It is a sacred space set in It is a sacred space set in the qiblah wall (the wall the qiblah wall (the wall that indicates the that indicates the direction of the House of direction of the House of God in Makkah).God in Makkah).Provides a place for Provides a place for imam to stand when imam to stand when leading prayersleading prayersShape symbolizes “cave Shape symbolizes “cave of the world”of the world”Facing quiblah wall Facing quiblah wall symbolizes unified symbolizes unified worshipworship

DomeDome

Circular ceiling Circular ceiling formed by series formed by series of vaultsof vaults

Ensures visibility Ensures visibility by lighting the by lighting the prayer areaprayer area

Creates a sense of Creates a sense of warmth and warmth and opennessopenness

Islamic Design, 7.3.3Islamic Design, 7.3.3Muslims believe in the absolute oneness and Muslims believe in the absolute oneness and

infiniteness of God. They also believe that infiniteness of God. They also believe that Allah does not have form or shape Allah does not have form or shape

because God is infinite and all-powerful. because God is infinite and all-powerful. Because of this they do not represent God Because of this they do not represent God

in a physical form.in a physical form.

Any physical representation is flawed Any physical representation is flawed compared to God’s creation.compared to God’s creation.

InfinityInfinityHow do you represent the concept of How do you represent the concept of

infinity? infinity?

Draw your idea of infinity.Draw your idea of infinity.

* Next you will discover how Muslims * Next you will discover how Muslims dealt with the challenge of infinity.dealt with the challenge of infinity.

Hexagon:Beehive Least amount of work (perimeter)Holds the most honey (area)Infinitely stacked and repeated (tessellation)

Tessellation’s repeated pattern shows infinity.Mathematical precision shows perfect balance and harmony.

A thirteenth century mosque in Turkey.Shape A

Decorative Detail from the mausoleum of Sultan Kalawan in Cairo, Egypt.

Shape D

A portal from the Buyat Karatay Madrasah in Konya, Turkey.

Shape C

A fourteenth century wooden door from the Sarij Madrasah (mosque school) in Fez,

Morocco. Shape B