Study Notes on Islamic Architecture
HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 3: Islamic Architecture
Chapter 1: Geographical Aspects
Historical Range:
Spanning from western Africa and Europe to eastern Asia.
Influences:
Early Islamic architecture incorporated elements from:
Roman architecture
Byzantine architecture
Iranian architecture
Mesopotamian architecture
Influences from all lands conquered during the early Muslim conquests in the 7th and 8th centuries.
Chapter 1: Geological Aspects
Material Availability:
Brick making and pisé walling are nearly universal in alluvial plains.
Marble was generally available as a trade article.
Building stones appeared in various forms.
Long tradition in:
Ceramic production
Use of gypsum plasters
Glass manufacturing
Various forms of metalwork necessary for construction.
Timber availability is limited and of poor quality in many regions.
Chapter 1: Climatic Aspects
Climate Influence:
The majority of the Muslim world is under the influence of a continental climate.
Notable extremes:
Temperature fluctuations
Modest levels of rainfall.
Chapter 1: Historical Context
The Islamic Era:
Began with the formation of Islam under Muhammad in early 7th-century Arabia.
The first mosque established by Muhammad in Medina in 622 after his Hijrah (migration) from Mecca.
Major Powers before Arab Conquests:
Byzantine (Eastern Roman) Empire
Sasanian Empire
Arab Tribal Client States:
Lakhamids, aligned with the Sasanians (Capital: al-Hira, Iraq)
Ghassanids, aligned with the Byzantines
Mosque of the Prophet, built on the site of Muhammad's first mosque, initially described as his house, potentially designed as a community center.
Chapter 1: Social Context
Tribal Patterns:
Arab groups leading the Islamic advance were tribal; thus, societal behaviors were based on desert traditions.
Inclusion of “People of the Book”:
Jews and Christians, sharing revelations and teachings contributing to Islam.
Chapter 1: Religious Context
Nature of Islam:
The last of three great religions in the Middle East with a belief in one God and Muhammad as his prophet.
Codification of Muslim Thought:
Three primary texts:
Quran: revelation received through Muhammad.
Hadith: collection of sayings/injunctions of Muhammad.
Sharia: laws derived from the traditions and examples established by Muhammad.
Chapter 1: Other Major Religions in the Middle East
1. Judaism
Definition:
Oldest surviving monotheistic religion rooted in the eastern Mediterranean, establishing in the second millennium B.C.E.
Abraham is regarded as the first Jew.
Classification:
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are considered Abrahamic religions.
Places of Worship:
Synagogues led by spiritual leaders known as rabbis.
2. Christianity
Origins:
Emerged as an offshoot of Judaism in the first century C.E.
Conversion of Constantine in 324 C.E. leading to the establishment of the Holy Roman Empire.
Capital relocation: From Rome to Constantinople.
Chapter 1: Terminology
1) Building Types
a. Masjid
Arabic term for mosque; a Muslim place of prayer.
b. Madrasa
Educational institution for secular or religious learning.
Examples:
Blue Mosque in Istanbul, constructed between 1609-1616.
University of Al-Qarawiyyin in Fez, Morocco, founded in 857-859 by Fatima al-Fihri, recognized as a leading educational center during the Islamic Golden Age.
2) Building Components
a. Mihrab
Niche in a mosque wall indicating the qibla, direction towards the Kaaba in Mecca for prayer.
b. Minbar
Pulpit for delivering sermons (khutbah); example: Jama Masjid's stone Minbar in Mandu, India (15th century).
c. Iwan
Rectangular space walled on three sides, open on one end.
Associated term: Pishtaq, a decorated portal.
Example: Persian-style Mir-i-Arab madrasa in Uzbekistan (16th century).
d. Bab
Monumental outer gateway found in city walls and important buildings.
e. Sahn
Formal courtyard of a mosque; example includes the large sahn of the Mosque of Uqba in Tunisia.
f. Minaret
Tower associated with mosques for calling believers to prayer; serves as landmarks.
Key Characteristics:
Vantage point for issuing adhan (call to prayer).
Notable examples:
Minaret at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus.
Great Mosque of Kairouan's minaret, one of the most ancient.
g. Harem
Domestic spaces reserved for women in Muslim families.
h. Selamlik
•. for man
Example: Selamlik of Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul, constructed between 1843-1856; contrasted with harem.
i. Qibla
Direction toward the Kaaba in Mecca for prayer.
j. Chhatri
Elevated pavilions found in Indian Islamic architecture.
3) Personnel
a. Muezzin
Individual who calls daily prayers five times a day at a mosque; includes the Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha prayers.
b. Imam
Prayer leader and head of the Muslim community (ummah).
c. Caliph
Title referring to the “successor of the prophet Muhammad.”
Chapter 1: Architectural Character
General Characteristics:
Islamic buildings often relate to a central axis; balance and symmetry reflecting perfect creation.
Taj Mahal
Situated in Agra, India, commissioned in 1631 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan to entomb his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, and himself.
Role of the Mosque
Central to Islamic architecture, designed for prayer and contemplation.
Minarets
Towers for calling the faithful to prayer in varied forms from thick structures to slender spires.
Example: Malwiya Tower of the Great Mosque of Samarra stands 52 meters high and 33 meters wide.
Doors and Windows
Pointed arches as the predominant form; door craftsmanship involves complex, decorative components.
Domes
Known as Qubba in Arabic; symbolize heaven with intricate interior designs.
Common types include onion-shaped domes.
Notable structure: Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem (late 7th century).
Arabesque
Decorative motifs originated in Baghdad around the 10th century, using leaf shapes, spirals, and tendrils in stone relief, notably in the Umayyad Mosque.
Islamic Geometric Patterns
Emphasizing geometric designs to create complex patterns without figurative images.
Example: Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine (1431) in Iran.
Muqarnas
Stalactite vaulting creating transitions in structural spaces; represents universal creation.
Example: Decorative muqarnas vaulting in the entrance of Shah Mosque, Isfahan, Iran.
Chapter 1: Examples of Islamic Architecture
Arab Peninsula, Syria & Mesopotamia
1. Dome of the Rock
Constructed by the Umayyad Caliphate (691-692 CE); oldest surviving Islamic architecture; believed to be the Night Journey start for Muhammad.
2. Great Mosque of Damascus
One of the largest oldest mosques; fourth holiest site; reputed burial place of John the Baptist's head.
Egypt, North Africa to Tunisia
1. Mosque of Ibn Tulun
One of the oldest and largest mosques in Cairo, commissioned by Ahmad ibn Tulun (868-884 AD).
2. Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hasan
Built (1356-1363); known for massive size and innovative design.
Spain & Western North Africa
1. Great Mosque of Kairouan
Established (670 CE) by General Uqba ibn Nafi; one of the oldest Islamic worship sites, a model for later mosques.
2. Great Mosque of Córdoba
Originally constructed (785 AD); also known as the Mezquita; transformed into a cathedral.
3. The Alhambra
1238; notable for courtyard-centered design, symbolizing Islamic artistic tradition.
Moorish Architecture
Developed in the western Islamic world; characteristics include horseshoe arches, riad gardens, and elaborate geometric and arabesque motifs.
Zellij
A type of mosaic tilework using various colored pieces forming intricate patterns.
Turkey, Persia (Iran) & Turkestan
1. Samanid Mausoleum
Built in the 10th century CE; oldest funerary structure in Central Asia.
2. İnce Minareli Medrese
13th-century madrasa noted for ornate architecture.
3. Gur-e-Amir
Mausoleum of Tamerlane; construction began in 1403.
4. Süleymaniye Mosque
Commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent, containing a separate mausoleum for him and his wife.
Philippines
Dimaukom Mosque
Symbol of interfaith unity, built with Christian workmen; painted pink to symbolize peace and love.