Islamic Architecture Flashcards

Flashcards for reviewing key vocabulary related to Islamic Architecture

Islam

A major world religion promulgated by the Prophet Muhammad in Arabia in the 7th century CE.

Islām

Arabic term meaning 'surrender,' referring to the believer's acceptance of Allah's will.

Allāh

In Arabic, the name for God in Islam; the one God—creator, sustainer, and restorer of the world.

Qurʾān (Quran)

The holy book of Islam, believed to be the direct word of God as revealed to Muhammad.

Early Islamic architecture

that was initially rare but defined by cultural characteristics and later shaped by various cultural influences.

Prophets

Men specially elected by God to be servants and messengers of God.

Shahadah (Profession of Faith)

Belief that there is no deity but God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God.

Salah (Prayer)

Five daily prayers performed at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and night in Islam.

Zakat (Almsgiving)

Obligatory annual tax to purify wealth in Islam, meant for the poor, debt relief, and other causes.

Sawm (Fasting)

Fasting during Ramadan from dawn to sunset, prohibiting eating, drinking, and smoking.

Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca)

Pilgrimage to Mecca, required once in a lifetime if financially and physically possible.

The Prophet’s Mosque (Medina, Saudi Arabia)

established shortly after Muhammad's migration, symbolizing the simplicity of early Islamic practices. Originally a modest structure made of mud bricks and palm trunks, it symbolized the simplicity and communal nature of early Islamic practices. Over time, the mosque underwent several renovations and expansions, transforming into one of the largest and holiest mosques in the Islamic world. Its iconic green dome, marking the tomb of Prophet Muhammad, stands as a significant architectural and spiritual feature.

Dome of the Rock (Jerusalem)

Constructed during the Umayyad Caliphate, considered sacred by Muslims, Jews, and Christians, and one of the earliest monumental works of Islamic architecture.

Great Mosque of Cordoba (Cordoba, Spain)

Initially built as a mosque before evolving into a cathedral, it epitomizes the blending of Islamic, Gothic, and Roman architectural elements.

The Alhambra (Granada, Spain)

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a stunning testament to Nasrid dynasty artistry, known for detailed stucco work, mosaic tiles, and arabesque designs.

Suleymaniye Mosque (Istanbul, Turkey)

A masterpiece of Ottoman architecture with cascading domes, soaring minarets, and balanced proportions, demonstrating the mosque's role in addressing spiritual and social needs. Commissioned by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and designed by the celebrated architect Mimar Sinan,

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (Abu Dhabi)

Combines traditional elements with modern materials and techniques, accommodating over 40,000 worshippers. Completed in 2007and features one of the world’s largest chandeliers and hand-knotted carpets. Its pristine white marble exterior and surrounding reflective pools create a serene and majestic ambiance.

Domes

Hemispherical structures that appear as part of roofs and ceilings in Islamic architecture.

Arches

Prominent elements in Islamic Architecture, defining entrances and creating soaring spaces.

Muqarnas

Decorative element of Islamic architecture made of pointed niches arranged in tiers.

Minarets

Towers that appear as part of mosques, often featuring one or more balconies.

Mihrab

Architectural element marking the direction of Mecca (qibla wall) in a mosque.

Courtyards

can house large gatherings of people during festive occasions and prayers. It is often called a sahn, a central open space, frequently found in mosques and other buildings, serving multiple purposes like ablutions, gathering, and providing a shaded respite, especially in hot climates.

Islamic garden

An expressive estate of land that includes themes of water and shade. most identifiable architectural design reflects the charbagh (or chahār bāgh), a quadrilateral layout with four smaller gardens divided by walkways or flowing water. These gardens provide people with respite during summer.

Iwan

Vaulted space that opens on one side to a courtyard. used in monumental and in Most mosques and palaces belonging to Islamic Architecture feature large courtyards that can house large gatherings of people during festive occasions and prayers. It is often called a sahn, a central open space, frequently found in mosques and other buildings, serving multiple purposes like ablutions, gathering, and providing a shaded respite, especially in hot climates.

Mashrabiya

Intricately carved wooden screens or latticework used in windows, balconies, or partitions. It serves multiple purposes, including controlling airflow, reducing temperature, increasing humidity, and providing privacy. It allows occupants to observe the outside without being seen, aligning with cultural values of modesty.

Dikka

Raised platform or tribune in a mosque from which the Quran is recited. It is often used to amplify the voice of the imam or muezzin, especially in large mosques where it might be difficult for worshippers to hear from a distance.

Minbar

Staircase leading to a raised platform in a mosque, allowing the imam to address the congregation.

Arabesque

Pattern of curving lines layered with intertwined elements found on buildings, tiles and glassware.

Sabil

Public water dispenser, often combined with a Quranic school, for drinking and ritual washing.

Light

Symbolizes divine guidance and presence in Islamic architecture.

Calligraphy

Used to inscribe verses from the Quran and other religious texts on buildings.

Mosques

Buildings designed for congregational prayer, featuring a prayer hall, minaret, and courtyard. the most prominent and significant buildings in Islamic architecture.

Masjid Al Haram

The holiest mosque of Islam that houses the Kaaba.

Madrasas

Educational institutions in the Islamic world, featuring a central courtyard surrounded by classrooms.

Al-Azhar University

One of the oldest and most famous Islamic higher education institutions in the world.

Islamic palaces

Grand residences for rulers and noblemen, often designed with courtyards and gardens.

The Alhambra

An ancient palace located in Granada, Spain, known for its reddish walls and towers.

Mausoleums

Structures that rose from the ground and became an important part of Medieval Islamic society and architecture.

Imam Ali Shrine

A place discovered at Najaf around 750 AD, which shelters the tomb of Imam Ali.

Forts

Islamic fortifications, such as city walls, gates, and citadels, designed for defensive purposes.

Bahla Fort

A fort built by the Banu Nebhan tribe between the 12th and 15th centuries in Oman.

Arabesque Style

Decorative style featuring intricate geometric patterns and floral motifs, often used in tilework and woodwork.

Hypostyle Style

Characterized by large prayer halls supported by numerous columns.

The Great Mosque of Kairouan

A prime example of the hypostyle style located in Tunisia, featuring a large prayer hall supported by numerous columns.

The Great Mosque of Córdoba

Showcases the hypostyle style with its vast hall of double-tiered horseshoe arches.

Four-Iwan Style

A courtyard-centered design with four iwans (vaulted halls) opening onto the courtyard.

The Sultan Hassan Mosque

A monumental Mamluk-era mosque and madrasa known for its grand four-iwan layout.

The Goharshad Mosque

A Timurid-era mosque featuring a spacious courtyard with four large iwans, decorated with intricate tilework and calligraphy.

Central Dome Style

Features a prominent central dome, often supported by semi-domes or pendentives.

The Hagia Sophia

An influential example of the central-dome style, originally built as a Byzantine church before being converted into a mosque.

Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)

A prime example of the central-dome style, with its dominant central dome and six towering minarets.

Mughal Style

A fusion of Persian, Indian, and Islamic elements, marked by grand domes and symmetrical gardens.

Fatehpur Sikri

Exemplifies Mughal architecture with its grand domes, courtyards, and red sandstone structures.

Badshahi Mosque

Represents the Mughal style through its three massive domes, red sandstone facade, and decorative archways.

Ottoman Style

Emphasized grand domes and verticality, often featuring simple hemispheric domes.

Süleymaniye Mosque Complex

This complex includes a mosque, madrasas, and a hospital, featuring a central dome surrounded by semi-domes. designed by Mimar Sinan,

Selimiye Mosque

Dominated by a single massive dome supported by eight pillars. is the most important and, at the same time, the most famous historical monument of Edirne - a city located in the European part of Turkey.

Moorish Style

Distinguished by horseshoe arches, muqarnas, and colorful tilework, found in North Africa and Spain.

The Koutoubia Mosque

Known for its large minaret, which became a model for later architectural designs in the region. was built in the middle of the 12th century on the foundations of the Ksar el Hajar palace. This was constructed by the Almoravids under Ali Ben Youssef.

Aljafería

Features elements typical of Moorish architecture, such as a central courtyard and horseshoe arches.

Persian (Safavid) Style

Known for its use of colorful tiles and intricate geometric patterns, particularly the haft-rangi tilework.

Shah Mosque

A magnificent architectural masterpiece in located in Isfahan, Iran, with a soaring dome flanked by towering minarets. Iran. Built during the Safavid dynasty in the early 17th century, this stunning mosque is a symbol of Islamic art and Persian craftsmanship.

Nasir Al-Mulk Mosque

Known as the Pink Mosque, recognizable by its colorful glass.

Fatimid Style

prominent in North Africa and the Middle East from the 10th to the 12th century, is known for its use of arches and domes. It often featured intricate stone carvings and ornate decorations.

Mosque of al-Aqmar

Considered one of the most beautiful Fatimid mosques, featuring Kufic inscriptions and vaulted ceilings. The oldest of the remaining examples of small mosques in Egypt. The architecture of the mosque is known for its alignment with the street, ahypostyle layout, and a beautifully decorated interior, featuring Kufic inscriptions and vaulted ceilings.

Al-Azhar Mosque

Established by the Fatimid state as an official mosque and a platform for the state’s religious mission.

Indo-Islamic Style

Developed in the Indian subcontinent, combining Islamic and local architectural traditions. It is characterized by the use of arches, domes, minarets, calligraphy, and jaali work. The style developed through distinct periods, including the Ghurid, Delhi Sultanate, and Mughal eras, with iconic structures like the Qutub Minar and Taj Mahal exemplifying its grandeur. This architectural tradition not only influenced religious buildings like mosques and tombs but also secular structures like palaces and gardens, leaving a lasting impact on modern Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi architecture.

Mahabat Maqbara

A 19th-century mausoleum in Junagadh is a fusion of Indo-Islamic, European, and Gothic styles. Its spiralling minarets and intricate carvings create a distinct aesthetic, showcasing a unique blend of architectural influences during the Nawabi era in Gujarat.

Qila-i-Kuhna Mosque

is built by Sher Shah Suri in the Purana Qila complex. This 16th- century mosque, with its red sandstone and marble, features a blend of Hindu and Islamic motifs. The mosque’s large prayer hall and pointed arches showcase the architectural innovations of the time, marking it as a significant structure in the evolution of Indo-Islamic architecture in North India.