1. Jordan University of Science and Technology
College of Architecture and Design
Department of Architecture
Islamic Architecture
Islamic Architecture
Dr. Raed Al Tal

2. The definition
Islamic architecture is the entire range of architecture that has
evolved from Islam as a social, cultural, political and religious
phenomenon.
Hence the term encompasses religious buildings as well as
secular ones, historic as well as modern expressions, and the
production of all places that have come under the varying
levels of Islamic influence.
Islamic architecture can be influenced by
- chronology
- geography
- building typology

3. Islamic Architecture
How did it begin?
- By following the tradition of the Prophet, i.e. building a
mosque when they start to occupy a new settlement
- Transformation of buildings used by the people before
the Muslims took over the state / country,
for e.g. Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey

4. General Elements of Islamic style
- Focus on interior of space rather than exterior
- Use of geometric shape and repetitive art (arabesque)
-Extensive use of decorative Arabic calligraphy
- Use of bright color
-Mosques
-Use of symmetry
- Large domes, Minarets , and ablution fountain
-A mihrab inside mosque to indicate the direction of Mecca
-Large courtyard often merged with a central praying hall

5. Interpretation of Islamic style
- The concept of Allah’s infinite power is evoked by design with
repetitive theme which suggests infinity
-Figurative forms are rarely depicted in decorative art as Allah’s
work is matchless.
-plants is a frequent motif but typically stylized or simplified

6. -The use of calligraphy is actually means of education and
reminder as they are taken from the verses of al-Quran
-It has been called the ‘architecture of the veil’ because the
beauty lies in the inner spaces which are not visible from the
outside
- Use of impressive forms such as large domes, towering
minarets and large courtyard has both symbolic meaning and
scientific
purposes

7. Jordan University of Science and Technology
College of Architecture and Design
Department of Architecture
Islamic Architecture
Dr. Raed Al Tal
Space and Direction

8. What Is A Masjid?
Masjid from a linguistic point of view
Linguistically, it comes on the scheme of maf`il with a kasrah
[i.e. the 'i' of masjid] which is ism makan [i.e., name of
location] for prostration
The Arab grammarians classify masjid as "ism makan",
i.e., "name of location"; it indicates the place where an
action takes place
Since a place of worship is a place where believers
prostrate to God, "masjid" is a general term to designate
any place of worship without any religious distinction.

13. (the earth has been made for me a "masjid")
means a place for prostration,

29. The House and Mosque of the Prophet at
Medina:
The Islamic prototype of both religious and
residential architecture, built in 622 C. E. (1 A.H. or
After Hegira, the emigration of the Prophet to
Medina), and enlarged several times in the first
century of Islam by Omar (638), then by Othman
(644) .
the most important of which is the enlargement of
al- Walid, the Umayyad caliph, in 707.

30. • Mosque and House of Prophet Mohammad at Medina
(623) was the first gathering place for communal
prayer in Islam
• Mud brick simple structure consisted of two rooms
and a square courtyard ( later increased to nine
rooms) – in the south east corner
• The communal prayers were held in the court yard
•
• For the comfort of the worshippers a portico (zulla)
made of palm trunks and branches was built on the
north side.
• Also small shelter was built to accommodate the
visitors who sometimes spent the night

31. Architecturally, the Prophet Mosque was consisted
of:
- Courtyard (sahn),
- Prayer Hall (musalla)
- Portico (zulla): made of palm trunks and branches
was built on the north side of the courtyard; also
served as a place for deliberations (social activities,
political debate, community affairs)
– The prophet’s house (two rooms increased to 9)

34. In the year 707-709 the Caliph al Walid I (705-15)
ordered the expansion of the Prophet mosque
The walls were built of cut stone and timber roof
later the mosque was given four corner minarets
1256 the mosque was destroyed by fire and rebuilt
again

36. The expansion of Islam

37. The conquests of Arab Muslims outside Arabia
brought a new vision of architecture that replaced
the simple vernacular architecture of the Arabs
As a result of this expansion that began in 632
Muslims established new cities such as Busra
and Kufa and built mosques in these cities

38. In some other cities like Damascus and Alepo,
Muslims did changes on these cities to fit the new
religion
Churches were changed to be mosques, in many
examples like the Umayyad Mosque, it was
consisted of two parts , church and mosque at the
same time
The prayer could be performed anywhere

39. The Mosque at Kufa and Basra were very simple
In the mosque of Kufa the Dar al-Imara
(governor’s palace) first appeared
According to Tabari the first mosque of Kufa had a
square plan established by a man throwing an
arrow from the center towards each four cardinal
points

40. The area thus designated was surrounded by a ditch
(khandaq) and in the Kiblah side a portico (zulla)
the side of the qibla organized into five aisles and the
others arranged into two.
A good way to determine a visualized space

41. Marble columns were taken from the buildings of al-Hira
supported a wooden roof
Pebbles were spread on the ground to counteract the dust
in the interior
No walls were indicated , nor was there a mihrab since the
whole zulla faced the kiblah
A combination of congregational mosque and governor’s
palace
The maqsura: separated or screened place for private
prayer, it was an innovation of the early Umayyad period,
introduced by Mu’awiya

42. The mosque was rebuilt by Ziyad ibn Abihi

43. 638-639
The mosque of Kufa and the Dar al-Imara
(governor’s palace)
670