A mosque is not just a place of worship.
It is a sacred space where the Divine dwells as well as a symbolic representation of paradise.
Below we explore the symbolism of a mosque’s various features…
It is a sacred space where the Divine dwells as well as a symbolic representation of paradise.
Below we explore the symbolism of a mosque’s various features…
Minaret
The minaret is certainly the most conspicuous aspect of a mosque.
The first thing that strikes any visitor to an Islamic city is the often hundreds of minarets that dominate the skyline—as well as the call to prayer (adhan) echoing across the city’s streets and hills.
The minaret is certainly the most conspicuous aspect of a mosque.
The first thing that strikes any visitor to an Islamic city is the often hundreds of minarets that dominate the skyline—as well as the call to prayer (adhan) echoing across the city’s streets and hills.
The word ‘minaret’ derives from the Arabic ‘manār’ or ‘manāra’—meaning a source of illumination.
The muezzin climbs atop the tower and performs the call to prayer, bestowing light from his voice—light that summons and initiates worshippers into union with the Divine.
The muezzin climbs atop the tower and performs the call to prayer, bestowing light from his voice—light that summons and initiates worshippers into union with the Divine.
Like a lighthouse guiding ships through the dark night across the turbulent seas, the muezzin—he who performs the call to prayer—invites all individuals from atop the minaret to forego the darkness of worldly ignorance and to come bathe in the beautiful glow of the Divine Light.
As a tall, slender tower, the minaret symbolises the unity and oneness of the Divine.
Rising from the earth and into the sky, it is also a symbolic connection linking the material world with the heavenly realm.
Rising from the earth and into the sky, it is also a symbolic connection linking the material world with the heavenly realm.
Most concretely, the minaret evokes the first letter of the Arabic alphabet—the alif (ا).
For many mystics, alif symbolises the Unity and Unicity (ahadiyya) of the Divine.
It is the original form and the transcendent essence—all creation and wisdom proceeds from the alif.
For many mystics, alif symbolises the Unity and Unicity (ahadiyya) of the Divine.
It is the original form and the transcendent essence—all creation and wisdom proceeds from the alif.
Ultimately, the minaret—from which the call to prayer is made five times a day—regularly invites individuals to turn their attention inward and direct their consciousness upward, as well as to hear the song of heaven and have their soul ascend vertically toward the Divine Light.
Iwan
As you walk toward many mosques, you are greeted with a magnificent gateway or arch (known as the iwan).
Glazed often in polychrome tiles, ornate calligraphy, and floral patterns, the iwan serves as the portal that leads the individual from the external to the interior.
As you walk toward many mosques, you are greeted with a magnificent gateway or arch (known as the iwan).
Glazed often in polychrome tiles, ornate calligraphy, and floral patterns, the iwan serves as the portal that leads the individual from the external to the interior.
Through the gateway, one comes into the inner courtyard.
Thus, you move from the social, material world and into increasingly interiorised spaces that will eventually lead to the sacred centre of the mosque.
Thus, you move from the social, material world and into increasingly interiorised spaces that will eventually lead to the sacred centre of the mosque.
For Sufi mystics, the gateway (flanked often by two magnificent, imposing minarets) stands for the twin notions of Divine Majesty (Jalal) and Divine Beauty (Jamal).
Looking upon the gateway, one is overwhelmed with a sense of awe—which moves the soul closer to the Divine.
Looking upon the gateway, one is overwhelmed with a sense of awe—which moves the soul closer to the Divine.
Inner Courtyard
As you pass through the iwan, you come to the inner courtyard.
Here, worshippers perform ritual ablutions—cleansing themselves physically and spiritually to be able to enter the sacred space.
For this purifying purpose, water holds a sacred status in Islam.
As you pass through the iwan, you come to the inner courtyard.
Here, worshippers perform ritual ablutions—cleansing themselves physically and spiritually to be able to enter the sacred space.
For this purifying purpose, water holds a sacred status in Islam.
Light bathes the open courtyard, which by its design is a shared, communal space wherein all are equal and any social hierarchy or inequality is dissolved.
Each soul attends to purifying the body and the spirit—preparing for the transition from the mundane to the celestial.
Each soul attends to purifying the body and the spirit—preparing for the transition from the mundane to the celestial.
Dome
When one enters the mosque, the most awe-inspiring feature by far is the vast, central dome.
With its imposing size and intricate designs, the dome symbolises the vault of heaven.
Looking up at the dome, we glimpse a reflection of the beauty and majesty of the Divine.
When one enters the mosque, the most awe-inspiring feature by far is the vast, central dome.
With its imposing size and intricate designs, the dome symbolises the vault of heaven.
Looking up at the dome, we glimpse a reflection of the beauty and majesty of the Divine.
The dome’s floral patterns evoke heavenly paradise.
While the geometric designs, in their mathematical precision, order, and harmony, invoke the limitless splendour of God—something which is enhanced through calligraphic Qur’anic inscriptions that often praise the the Divine.
While the geometric designs, in their mathematical precision, order, and harmony, invoke the limitless splendour of God—something which is enhanced through calligraphic Qur’anic inscriptions that often praise the the Divine.
In essence, the dome serves as the throne of the Divine.
As a perfect circle, it also symbolises (similar to the minaret), the unity of God and the universal Spirit that encompasses the universe—with the various designs/ patterns symbolising multiplicity emerging from the One.
As a perfect circle, it also symbolises (similar to the minaret), the unity of God and the universal Spirit that encompasses the universe—with the various designs/ patterns symbolising multiplicity emerging from the One.
Minbar
This is the pulpit from where the leader of the prayer addresses the congregation.
The first person to deliver a speech from this position was the prophet Muhammad, and thus the minbar has come to symbolise the locus of the Divine Messenger.
This is the pulpit from where the leader of the prayer addresses the congregation.
The first person to deliver a speech from this position was the prophet Muhammad, and thus the minbar has come to symbolise the locus of the Divine Messenger.
With the congregation leader needing to ascend the staircase to deliver his address, the minbar symbolises ascension toward heaven and the Divine Light.
It is symbolic of vertical spiritual progression—an intermediary between earth and the celestial realm.
It is symbolic of vertical spiritual progression—an intermediary between earth and the celestial realm.
When atop the pulpit, the congregation leader is one with the Divine Word, bestowing to the believer the promise of Paradise, the mercy of God, or the love of the Divine.
As a result, the minbar is one of the most sacred spaces of a mosque and is thus usually ornately decorated.
As a result, the minbar is one of the most sacred spaces of a mosque and is thus usually ornately decorated.
Mihrab
This is central axis and most important element of a mosque.
The niche of a mihrab indicates the direction of Mecca—the sacred centre in Islam.
It is toward the mihrab that the entire congregation’s prayers are directed and is thus the locus of Divine manifestation.
This is central axis and most important element of a mosque.
The niche of a mihrab indicates the direction of Mecca—the sacred centre in Islam.
It is toward the mihrab that the entire congregation’s prayers are directed and is thus the locus of Divine manifestation.
For Sufi mystics, the mihrab is likened to the sacred cave of the heart where the purified soul receives nourishment of grace.
This association derives partly from the Qur’anic passage: “God is the light of heaven and earth. The symbol of His light is a niche wherein is a lamp.”
This association derives partly from the Qur’anic passage: “God is the light of heaven and earth. The symbol of His light is a niche wherein is a lamp.”
Due to its sacred symbolism, mihrabs are often ornately decorated with calligraphy of Qur’anic inscriptions in praise of the Divine, as well as with gorgeous geometric and floral designs that evoke the overwhelming beauty of God and the paradise that lies in the next world.
In sum, the mosque is not just a house of worship but rather a Divine Centre.
Everything serves a spiritual and symbolic purpose that enables all human souls to come closer into communion with the Divine Light—the Light from whence we came and to which we will ultimately return.
Everything serves a spiritual and symbolic purpose that enables all human souls to come closer into communion with the Divine Light—the Light from whence we came and to which we will ultimately return.
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Thank you for reading and all your support is greatly appreciated!
Thank you for reading and all your support is greatly appreciated!
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