What is the function of the mihrab and qibla wall in a mosque?
A mihrab is a niche in the wall of a mosque or religious school (madrasa) that indicates the direction of Mecca (qibla), which Muslims face when praying. It is the architectural and symbolic focal point of religious buildings.
What are the main parts of a mosque?
Islamic Architecture: Parts of a Mosque
- Minaret. Mosque minarets in Aswan, Egypt.
- Dome. Turkey, Istanbul, Blue Mosque ornate interior of domes.
- Prayer Hall. Sultan Selim Mosque, Konya.
- Mihrab. Mihrab of Nasir Ol-Molk mosque, Shiraz, Iran.
- Minbar.
- Ablution Area.
- Prayer Rugs.
What is a Qibla wall?
The qibla wall is the wall in a mosque that faces Mecca. The mihrab is a niche in the qibla wall indicating the direction of Mecca; because of its importance, it is usually the most ornate part of a mosque, highly decorated and often embellished with inscriptions from the Qur’an (see image 4).
Why do mosques have a dome?
Most mosques also feature one or more domes, called qubba in Arabic. While not a ritual requirement like the mihrab, a dome does possess significance within the mosque—as a symbolic representation of the vault of heaven.
How do you find the Qibla in a room?
4 Method 4 of 5: Using a compass
- Get yourself a Qibla compass.
- Find out the direction to Mecca from you location. Hold out your compass flat, wait for the dial to settle. Turn towards the direction to Makkah for your location. Done.
What is the difference between Kaaba and Qibla?
The qibla is the direction of the Kaaba, a cube-like building at the centre of the Sacred Mosque (al-Masjid al-Haram) in Mecca, in the Hejaz region of Saudi Arabia. The Kaaba has an approximately rectangular ground plan with its four corners pointing close to the four cardinal directions.
Why are the walls of the mosque covered with calligraphy?
The commissioning of a mosque would be seen as a pious act on the part of a ruler or other wealthy patron, and the names of patrons are usually included in the calligraphic decoration of mosques. Such inscriptions also often praise the piety and generosity of the patron.