Orientation Towards Qibla in Iranian Mosques: The Confrontation of Elements.

Shoubi, Aref Azizpour; Oskoyi, Azita Balali

A deciding factor in the design of a mosque is the direction of the qibla. The qibla is directed toward the Kaaba, which marks a fixed direction of prayer for Muslims worldwide. The mosque adjacent to Prophet's house is credited with the earliest attempt at qibla-orientation, which was based on the canopy. Later on, the orientation would be determined through the courtyard direction. However, Iranian architecture has employed several other ways to orientate towards qibla, thanks to its specific elements that differ from those of Arabian architecture. The first mosques in Iran were formed through modifying the earlier chahar-taqi buildings. Yet, several other original mosque designs also emerged as Iranian architecture was dynamic and constantly evolving. The three elements of the "dome," "iwan," and "courtyard" have interacted with each other within Iranian mosques. This paper focuses on the role and implications of these three elements for qibla-orientation. As a primary research, it combines exploratory and descriptive-analytical approaches to study and examine various Iranian mosques from different periods. The results suggest that the courtyard was less influential than the other two elements in the mosques in shabestani, one-iwan and two-iwan plans. However, with the advent of the four-iwan scheme, the courtyard took on the primary role in the pre-Safavid mosques. Mosques would begin to develop a more centripetal organization in the Safavid period, when the courtyard and iwan, placed opposite to the direction of qibla, assumed a more critical role.

QIBLAH; MOSQUE design & construction; SAFAVID dynasty, Iran, 1501-1736; COURTYARDS; ISLAMIC prayers & devotions

Iranian Journal of Archaeological Studies, 2022, Vol 12, Issue 2, p115

2251-743X

Academic Journal

10.22111/IJAS.2022.44076.1247