The third great monotheistic religion – Islam (along with Judaism and Christianity) was born thanks to the activities of the prophet Muhammad, a resident of Mecca. His early years were not marked by religiosity, and he received his first experience at the age of forty. Through the angel Gabriel, revelations that he was supposed to convey to people were sent to him (Macaulay-Lewis). Muhammad is considered the last of prophets, the list of which includes Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.
The preaching of the monotheistic religion was met with hostility in his hometown, and Muhammad and his followers fled to Yathrib (modern Medina). After a series of battles, the prophet managed to return to Mecca, where he began to cleanse Kaaba from idols of pagan gods. It is believed that Kaaba was built by Abraham (Ibrahim in Arabic) and his son Ishmael. Kaaba is the sacred place for Muslims, where believers annually make a pilgrimage (Hajj) (Macaulay-Lewis). Prayer, performed five times a day (Salat), is also directed towards Mecca and Kaaba.
After Muhammad’s death, several successors (Caliphs) continued his activity. The last of them, Ali, was the husband of the prophet’s daughter and played an important role in Islam. Some followers believed that he should have succeeded Muhammad directly, and others did not agree with this. As a result, Shia and Sunni branches were formed, respectively (Macaulay-Lewis). This article was engaging to me, as it briefly and understandably tells the story of the birth of Islam. I think it is helpful for those who, as I knew its history, only a little.
The Royal Mosque, also known as Shah Mosque, is located in the Iranian city of Isfahan. When the mosque was built, the country of Iran did not exist; Persia was in this place (“The Royal Mosque at Isfahan”). This mosque belongs to the four-iwan type, where iwan is a rectangular hall or space. In this type, the building is made around a courtyard in which each wall borders with iwan. Despite the name, the mosque is public, and many believers gather in it for common prayers. It is also of particular interest to tourists due to its bright ornament and unique acoustics.
In the mosque layout, its location, and ornament, a lot of symbolism is hidden. The mosque is located on the square, on the other sides of which are gates for the bazaar, the royal palace, and the King’s oratory. All four together symbolize the coexistence of different forces and their hierarchy, where religion takes the leading position (“The Royal Mosque at Isfahan”). Moreover, the mosque is not located directly behind the square gates but turned towards Mecca, which creates an angle and a transition zone between the secular and sacred. The mosque itself also symbolizes the paradise garden, floral decor – its nature, conveying the way the garden is described in the holy book of the Koran (“The Royal Mosque at Isfahan”). The structure also hides symbols of God’s unity and three worlds – mineral, vegetable, and animal.
Thus, the architecture of the Royal Mosque located in Iran is the culmination of the millennial traditions of the construction of mosques. Incomparable greatness and magnificence have long provided this temple with a high position among the most outstanding architectural monuments in the world. I was especially struck by how well architects planned such details as acoustics, allowing people to hear prayers in all corners of a vast hall (“The Royal Mosque at Isfahan”). One more exciting aspect of the work is a mosaic, each element made manually and is composed transmitting the necessary symbolic meanings.
Works Cited
Macaulay-Lewis, Elizabeth. “Introduction to Islam.” Adapted by Khan Academy. Khan Academy, Web.
“The Royal Mosque at Isfahan.” YouTube, uploaded by fabian alvarado david, 2016, Web.