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In the Qur'an the word Masjid, although used many times, is only
applied to three specific buildings: the Masjid al Haram (ka'ba), the
Masjid al Aqsa (Jerusalem) and the Masjid built at
the oasis site called Quba, south-east of Medina. This was the first
masjid of Islam after the advent of Prophet Mohammad
(s).
While formal elaboration of masjid design in Muslim history has
created totally different concepts of architecture and
regional styles, the image of the archetype remained unchanged :
the concept of a courtyard (sahn) and a sanctuary (haram) which
essentially consists of a hypostyle hall (i.e., an interior
space with multiple supports for the roof) has survived to
this day. Such features are examples of architectural symbolism
that retain their validity in a practical sense.
A masjid is a place where one can feel the pulse of any Islamic community. From the earliest times, the
masjid has always been a religious and social centre for the community. Along with
ritual prayers, a masjid has been a place of learning both secular and religious studies, a place for commemorating
important historic occasions as well as providing a platform for political pronouncements at
Friday midday prayers. Therefore,
besides its religious role, the range of activities traditionally associated with the
masjid was comparable to those
previously associated with the Greek Agora or the Roman forum.
 This is the most significant monument of Islam. Built originally
by Prophets Ibrahim and Ismail (a), this simple cubicle structure has gone through several renovations and expansion,
although still maintaining its original style. This is the very structure that Muslims from around the globe face during
ritual prayers. It is a place where Muslims converge for the pilgrimage of
Haj. Among its other merits, it symbolizes the
unity of Muslims, the simplicity of Islam as well as the dynamism of this faith. The
Ka'ba was also the birthplace of Imam Ali (a). It was a monument highly venerated by all from the time its foundation was laid.
 The earliest architectural monument of Islam that retains most
of its original form is the Masjid al-Aqsa in
Jerusalem. It was the first Qibla of Islam, that
is, the place where all Muslims faced during their ritual prayers. Muslims believe it to be the spot from which Prophet Muhammad
ascended to heaven. Among its other exquisite features, the
masjid has mosaics depicting scrolling vines and
flowers, jewels, and crowns in greens, blues and gold. It is among the most magnificent architectural monuments ever built.
Dating from the time of Prophet Muhammad (s), the Masjid of Quba is
considered the first mosque built by the Prophet and his followers. In the Qur'an
(sura 9:108) there is a mention of the
first public masjid built at the place called Quba.
And
Allah (s) said in the holy Q'oran:  "Never
do thou (O Apostle ! ) stand therein (to pray ); surely a mosque
found on piety from the very first day deserveth more than thou
shouldst stand therein (for prayers); therein are men who love
that they be purified;
And God loveth the purified ones."
9:108
Situated about 3 miles south-east of
Medina, this oasis was the
first place where the Prophet rested before entering Medina. The mosque was a rectangular covered space measuring 54 x 63
cubits (approximately 26 x 30 m or 85 x 100 ft), built of mud brick and with date-palm trunks supporting the roof.
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In the seventeenth month of the hijra, the direction of the
Qibla changed from Jerusalem to face Mecca, thus the Masjid in
which the Prophet was praying at that time came to be known as Masjid
al-Qiblatayn- the mosque with two Qiblas.  And
Allah (s) said in the holy Q'oran:
"Thus
have We made of you an Ummah justly balanced. That you might be
witnesses over the nations, and the Messenger a witness over
yourselves; and We appointed the Qibla to which you were used,
only to test those who followed the Messenger from those who
would turn on their heels (from the Faith). Indeed it was (a
change) momentous, except to those guided by Allah. And never
would Allah make your faith of no effect, for Allah is to all
people most surely full of Kindness, Most Merciful."
(2:143)
The first masjid at Medina was built by the Prophet (s) and his
followers. It was designed with utmost simplicity symbolising the purity and simplicity of the new way of life. The Prophet's
as well as the Ahlul Bayt's (a) homes opened onto the rectangular courtyard which served as the main hall of prayers.
For the comfort of the worshippers, a portico (zulla) made of
palm trunks and branches was built on the north side of the courtyard, together with a smaller one (suffa or shed roof)
which gave shelter to visitors who sometimes spent the night there. The
zulla also served as a place for deliberations on
community affairs, hence to this day the masjid has retained its multivalent role as the place of prayer, social activities
and political debate. From this modest beginning has developed the basic iconography of the
masjid. Later on a minbar
(pulpit) was added to address the gatherings at the mosque.
The call of prayer was given from the roof. Minarets, which are
prominent architectural features of masjids today, were added to
masjids long after the death of the Prophet when Islamic architecture evolved and synthesized with other
cultures.
In the century after the death of the Prophet Muhammad in
A.D.632, Arab followers spread Islamic teachings throughout Egypt and North Africa, as far west as
Spain, and as far east as Sassanid Persia. Due to the rapid expansion and the flexibility
of the Islamic architectural principles of the Arabian peninsula, the
Muslims derived their unique style from
synthesizing the arts of the regional areas along with traditional
Arab styles. The great strength of Islamic art as a whole, lies in its ability
to synthesize native design elements with imported ones.
Certain other unique and outstanding features in Islamic art and
architecture, like calligraphy and abstract decoration were born
and evolved while Islam reached different regions of the world.
Such features are as varied as the regions themselves and
exist to this day day, forming an integral part of Islamic
artistic and architectural principles.
Modified
with permission of the Author by Editor in Chief-Hj Nurzaynab
El-Fatah on 01/03/07
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