What does the mosque look like? Interior decoration of mosques: the unique beauty of Islamic architecture. Attendance requirements

Muslim temples are called mosques, and they are built according to certain rules. Firstly, the building must be oriented strictly to the East, that is, to the holy place for all Muslims - Mecca. Secondly, a mandatory element of any mosque is a minaret - a tall and narrow extension, most often cylindrical or rectangular in shape. There can be from one to nine of these in a mosque. It is from this room that the muezzin calls believers to prayer.

Almost all Muslim temples are equipped with a courtyard. Here, according to tradition, a fountain, a well, or any device intended for ablutions should be installed. According to Muslim customs, it is forbidden to enter the temple dirty for prayer. There are also outbuildings in the yard. A madrasah differs from a mosque in that premises for seminarians can be equipped in the courtyard. Modern temples, of course, have a rather modest architecture. However, if you look at the old magnificent ones, you will notice that in the past courtyards were often surrounded by columns, and even galleries were arranged around the perimeter.

The mosque building is crowned with a dome decorated with a crescent.

These are the features of a Muslim temple in terms of exterior. Inside, the building is now divided into two halves - male and female. A mihrab - a special niche - must be installed on the eastern wall of the prayer room. To his right is a special pulpit from which the imam reads his sermons to believers. During prayer, old people stand closest to him. Behind them are people and in the very last rows are young people.

Images of people and animals are prohibited in Islam. Therefore, of course, there are no icons in the prayer room or anywhere else. Nowadays, walls are usually decorated with Arabic writing - lines from the Koran. Very often, fractal or fractal patterns are also used to decorate mosques. They can be made both outside and inside the building. Muslim temples are usually decorated in traditional blue and red colors. In addition, inclusions of white and gold can often be seen in the ornaments.

A remarkable example of Islamic architecture can be considered, for example, the Taj Mahal in Agra. This is considered a global cultural pearl. This Muslim temple, a photo of which you can see at the very top of the page, was built by Shah Jahad in honor of his wife. The woman’s name was Mumtaz Mahal (hence the slightly altered name of the temple), and she died during childbirth. There are two tombs in the temple - the shah's wife and his own.

The second photo shows the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, located in Istanbul. A distinctive feature of Turkish Muslim churches is the special shape of the dome - flatter than in mosques in other countries. The third photo shows the inside of the Sultan Ahmet Mosque. Quite often, Muslims adapted the conquered peoples to their own. An example of this is the most significant monument of early Christian culture - Sophia of Constantinople, to which minarets were added by the Turks.

Thus, buildings such as Muslim temples can be called a dome and the presence of a courtyard. In addition, the obligatory architectural elements are minarets, mihrab and pulpit.

And in its infancy, this term was used to describe a place, meaning any ritually acceptable piece of land.

The main mosque is considered to be the reserved mosque in (Masjid al-Haram), which houses the Islamic shrine -. In every Islamic city there are “cathedral” mosques that serve for large collective prayers in, as well as neighborhood mosques, mosques at train stations and airports, in rich houses and palaces.
The first mosque was built immediately after on the outskirts of Yathrib () in mid-623 next to the house. It was a very spacious mosque, where mainly Friday prayers were held. However, according to the text of the Koran, a mosque is not a necessary condition for performing this cult action: the whole world, given to a believer for possession, is suitable for veneration.
After the conquest of Mecca in 630, the Kaaba and the surrounding courtyard were also converted into a mosque. After this, mosques began to be built in all Muslim cities.
Since the 7th century. Two types of mosques coexisted: private prayer houses and mosques intended for the entire community, in which collective prayers were held on Fridays, performing not only a religious, but also an important political function. Most often the phrase masdjid djami’ is translated into Russian as “big” or “cathedral” mosque.
In the first centuries of Islam, rulers or governors made extensive use of the mosque: they kept the treasury, announced decrees to the people, gave speeches, and conducted trials. Gradually, the socio-political function of mosques weakened. However, to this day they continue to be a symbol of not only spiritual, but also secular unity of the Muslim community.

Mosque architecture

As for architectural features, a stable planning structure has been assigned to mosques only since the 16th century. However, it must be taken into account that mosques built on the periphery of the Muslim world (in,), in most cases, are relatively recent buildings, the architectural appearance of which was formed not so much under the influence of Islam, but under the influence of local building traditions.

Interior decoration

Different architectural types of mosques have developed in different areas of the Muslim world. The main features of mosques were determined at the end of the 7th century. Most mosques have one or more towers from which the call to prayer is proclaimed (). In the prayer room there is a niche indicating the direction to Mecca, towards which those praying should turn their faces. A preacher's pulpit is installed near the mihrab. The floor of the mosque and its courtyard are usually covered with carpets. Each mosque must have a natural or artificial pond for ritual. Women pray in a specially fenced off part of the common hall or in the galleries. Many mosques house book depositories. Some mosques are combined with tombs.

Many mosques are supported by community funds, but there are also those that exist at the expense of waqfs or government subsidies. There is no such thing in Islam, but from the first days of the existence of mosques, famous itinerant preachers (kussas) worked in them, who also served as mentors, interpreters of the Koran and teachers. Over time, in large mosques, a person present at prayer appears. He could be on the staff of the mosque and at the same time serve as treasurer. In many Muslim states, the organization and maintenance of mosques is the responsibility of officials; they appoint the imam. In addition to the imam, there is another significant figure in mosques - the mu'azzin (), a person who calls believers to prayer.
Servants of mosques - imams, khatibs, muezzins - do not possess holiness and grace (like, for example, Christian clergy); they act only as organizers of the ritual.

Attendance requirements

During prayer, believers are required to take off their shoes before entering the mosque.

In the West

The model for mosques built throughout the world as Islam spread was the masjid built in Medina next to the house of Muhammad. The architectural style of mosques depended on the era and region in which they were built. Sometimes mosques were built similar to churches, cruciform in plan. In different countries, under the influence of local aesthetic views, architectural and construction traditions, independent types of mosques have developed. In America, mosques are usually built in a strict Middle Eastern style so that they stand out from the background of prayer buildings of other faiths, attracting the attention of believers. However, in a number of communities, due to the cramped nature of urban development, mosques can be found in apartment buildings, in warehouses, and in premises intended for shops, which corresponds to the practice of organizing churches and synagogues.
It should be noted that in mosques there is no special rite of consecration of the house of worship, and the building can be used for another purpose if it no longer serves as a mosque. Many American mosques not only serve as places of communal prayer, but also serve as Islamic community centers, with kitchen facilities and banquet facilities for celebrating life-cycle events.

The early period of the formation of Islam was characterized by the founding of the Caliphate and the appearance of the first mosques. At this time, a large number of principles and rules were established concerning, among others, . After the departure of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from this world, the first four righteous caliphs (may Allah be pleased with them) were mainly concerned with ensuring stability and security in Muslim society. Of course, this prevented any significant architectural work. Despite this, there were still a few unassuming projects that will be discussed in this material.

Early simplicity

The architecture of the early years of Islam (between 622 and 661) was characterized by simplicity and modesty. The newly emerged state, with scant resources, was too busy defending itself from enemy tribes. Moreover, devotion to faith and desire for everything Divine forced him to distance himself from an extravagant and luxurious lifestyle.

Worship in Islam is based on the concept of Tawhid - monotheism. Faith in the One God, Whom “cannot be comprehended by sight, but He comprehends everything visible, and He is aware of everything subtle and invisible” (Quran, 6:103), had practically no analogues in the past. Therefore, there was no need to present an object of worship.

A new approach, consistent with all the key positions of Islam, emerged only after a certain level of stability and prosperity had been achieved. Architectural sophistication came later when intellectual and economic prosperity created a demand for architectural forms that were detailed and refined but Islamically acceptable.

A quick look at the first mosques

The first Muslim religious and public building is the Mosque of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in Medina (622). Despite its simplicity, this was the first project of its kind in human history. This structure remained the center of social, cultural and political life of the Muslim community for more than 30 years.

The transfer of the capital from Medina to Kufa by Ali ibn Abu Talib (the fourth rightly guided caliph) in 657 brought significant political, social and economic changes and marked the beginning of unprecedented architectural and construction activity. Medina lost its privileged status and became an ordinary provincial city, eventually turning into a purely spiritual and religious center.

At the same time, the transfer of the capital created a precedent that was repeated throughout the history of Islam. The transfer of the capital each time after a change of caliph led to the spread of a penchant for wastefulness and pomp in society. This coincided with the economic and social prosperity of the Caliphate. A simple mosque turned into a complex structure, architecture and decoration.

Saad ibn Abu Waqqas

This companion of the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with him), coming from a noble family, built a mosque in Kufa. Thus, he designated his permanent residence, known as Dar ul-Imara (638). This building was so exquisite and full of small details that the righteous caliph Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was even dissatisfied and ordered it to be burned. It stood on marble columns imported from Persia and was surrounded by a moat.

Decoration of the first mosques

Historical sources report that the only object of ritual decoration of mosques of that period were minbars in the form of steps of a staircase (others say, in the form of a chair), first introduced by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) himself, sitting on which he could be seen and heard by the entire audience of believers present in the mosque. The minbar is mentioned in a number of hadiths, for example, Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Prophet said: “Between my house and my minbar there is a garden, which belongs to the gardens of Paradise.” However, the famous scholar Martin Briggs (1931) believed that the minbar was designed by Amr ibn al-As for the mosque he built in Egypt.

Another book by Briggs (1924) states that the origin of the minbar is related to the judge's chair in ancient Arabia. The transfer of the capital from Kufa to Damascus in 661 by the founder of the Ommayyad dynasty, Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him), was of decisive importance for the mosques and their decoration. He brought with him a transition from an ascetic, strict style in architecture to the era of luxurious palaces and the creation of architectural masterpieces for all times. Here it is enough to mention the “Dome of the Rock” - a mosque in Jerusalem, built by Abdel-Malik in 691-692.

In conclusion, it should be said that the key point of the Caliphate era was the emergence and development of Islam, the emphasis of the state was on protection from enemies and economic issues. The architectural aspirations of that period were aimed at meeting precisely these needs of society. This also influenced the architecture of mosques of that period. . Mosques were centers of various activities of the early Muslims - in religious, social, military and other spheres. Mosques from the early spread of Islam include: the Mosque of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in Medina (622), the Basra Mosque (635) and the Kufa Mosque (638), both in Iraq, and the Amra Mosque in Fustat (641) in Egypt.

A mosque is a sacred place for all Muslims, a place for prayer and spiritual purification. As Islam spreads, beautiful mosques are appearing all over the world. They are amazing not only externally, but also their interior amazes with its beauty. We offer an overview of the most fantastic mosques in the world.

Mosque al-Haram (Sacred Mosque) is located in Mecca. This is the largest mosque in the world, surrounding one of the greatest shrines in Islam - the Kaaba. The building area is 400,800 square meters, including indoor and outdoor prayer areas. It is designed to accommodate 4 million pilgrims during the Hajj. The modern mosque, after many reconstructions, is a pentagonal closed building with sides of different lengths and a flat roof. Three pairs of minarets rise in the three corners of the structure, marking the entrances to the mosque. The fourth and fifth corners are connected by a covered gallery. In total, the mosque has 9 minarets, the height of which reaches 95 m. Modern innovations have not been forgotten - there are 7 escalators and air conditioners.

Masjid an-Nabawi is the second shrine in Islam, which is also called the prophet’s mosque, since it was built by the prophet Muhammad. In terms of size, it also ranks second after the al-Haram mosque. In the center of the mosque is the Green Dome, where the tomb of the prophet is located. The first dome over the grave was built in 1279, after which it was reconstructed many times, and in 1837 it was painted green, which is how it remains to this day. The layout of this particular mosque was adopted as the canon for other mosques around the world. The construction contained the main elements of the composition of a columned mosque: an open rectangular courtyard and a prototype of the future columned hall, oriented initially towards Jerusalem, and later towards Mecca. The main prayer hall occupies the entire first floor. The mosque can accommodate up to 500 thousand believers. The mosque has 10 minarets, each 105 m high.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a true masterpiece of architectural art and is one of the largest mosques in the world. Its construction cost approximately $545 million and took 12 years, during which 3,500 workers from 38 companies around the world worked on the implementation of the grandiose project. It can accommodate up to 41,000 worshippers. The mosque is decorated with 82 domes, a thousand columns, chandeliers gilded with gold leaf, and the world's largest hand-woven carpet. The main prayer hall is illuminated by one of the most grandiose chandeliers in the world (10 meters in diameter, 15 meters in height, weighing 12 tons). The sparkling pools surrounding the mosque highlight its beauty. During the day the building glitters in the sun white and gold, and at night it is flooded with artificial light.

4. Great Mosque of Hassan II, Casablanca (Morocco)

The Great Mosque of Hassan II, built in 1993, is located in the Moroccan city of Casablanca. It is the largest mosque in the country and the seventh largest mosque in the world. Its minaret is the tallest in the world - 210 meters, higher than the Cheops pyramid. At the top of the minaret there is a laser, the light from which is directed towards Mecca. The author of the project is the French architect Michel Pinseau. According to rough estimates, 500-800 million dollars were spent on construction. The building stands on a ledge washed by the Atlantic Ocean, through the glass floor you can see the seabed. The mosque is designed for a maximum of 105 thousand parishioners praying together: 25 thousand inside and 80 thousand outside.

The Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque is a royal mosque located in the capital of the Sultanate of Brunei. It is considered the most beautiful mosque in the Pacific region, attracting thousands of tourists. The building was built in 1958 in an artificial lagoon on the banks of the Brunei River, it is a striking example of modern Islamic architecture, combining Mughal and Italian styles. It is impossible to take your eyes off the 44-meter-high marble minarets and golden domes, huge courtyards and luxurious gardens with fountains. The mosque is surrounded by huge gardens, symbolizing paradise. The interior is no less luxurious than the exterior: the floors and walls are made of the best Italian marble, stained glass windows and chandeliers were brought from Britain, luxurious carpets were woven in Saudi Arabia and Belgium, a fantastic mosaic of 3.5 million pieces was brought from Venice.

The Zahir Mosque is located in the capital of the Malaysian state of Kedah. This is one of the oldest and largest mosques in the country. Built back in 1912, it covers an area of ​​approximately 11,500 square meters. The mosque has 5 large domes, symbolizing the five basic principles of Islam. The area of ​​its central hall is 350 square meters, it is surrounded by verandas with mezzanines.

The Faisal Mosque in Islamabad is the largest mosque in Southeast and South Asia and the fourth largest mosque in the world. The author of the project is Turkish architect Vidat Dalokay, who instead of traditional domes created a structure reminiscent of a Bedouin tent. He won the competition, which received 43 proposals from 17 countries. Minarets 90 meters high were built on four sides of the main hall. At the entrance to the mosque there is a small courtyard with a small round pond and fountains. The stairs on the left side lead to the main courtyard and to another large pond with fountains. Inside, the walls are covered in white marble and decorated with mosaics, calligraphy by Pakistani artist Sadeqain and amazing Turkish-style chandeliers. The prayer hall can accommodate 10,000 believers. There is an additional hall for 24,000, and another 40,000 can be accommodated in the courtyard.

The Taj Mosque, whose name translates as “The Crown of Mosques,” is located in the city of Bhopal in central India. This is one of the largest mosques in Asia. Construction began during the reign of the Mughal Khan Bahadur Shah Zafar, then continued under his daughter. But due to a lack of funds, construction resumed only in 1971 and was completed in 1985. The eastern gate was reconstructed using ancient motifs from 1,250 Syrian mosques with the help of the Kuwaiti emir, who so perpetuated the memory of his wife. Inside the Taj Mosque there is a large courtyard with a water tank in the center.

The Badshahi Mosque in the Pakistani city of Lahore was built in 1673. It is the second largest mosque in the country and south Asia and the fifth largest mosque in the world. It can accommodate 55,000 worshipers in the main hall and 95,000 in the courtyard. The main hall is divided into seven sections by ornamented arches supported by powerful columns, three of which carry double domes decorated on the outside with white marble. The interior of the main prayer hall is richly decorated with openwork patterns, frescoes and marble. Externally, the mosque is decorated with carved stone and marble designs on red sandstone.

The Sultan Hussein Mosque, built back in 1928, is still considered the main religious building in Singapore. Since the completion of construction, it has remained virtually unchanged, only in 1960 and 1993 some reconstructions were carried out. The author of the project is British architect Denis Santry. The area of ​​the two-story mosque is 4100 square meters, it is designed for 5000 believers.
Religious buildings of any religion, symbolizing the faith and hope of people, always look majestic and luxurious. The best places were chosen for their construction, even if they were so remote. To come to God, it turns out that you need to exert not only mental, but also physical strength.