Cathedral Mosque as the core of Muslim sacred architecture

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:44

The Moscow Cathedral Mosque, the main mosque in Russia and the largest mosque in all of Europe, has recently been restored and expanded. The construction turned out to be truly monumental: the area is 19 thousand square meters. meters, a total capacity of 10 thousand people, six floors with elevators and all the necessary facilities for people with disabilities.

Since the reconstruction began, many representatives of the non-Muslim world are keenly interested in what the concept of "cathedral mosque" means? How is it different from other types of mosques and, in the end, why is a mosque so important for a Muslim that Muslim communities from all over the world are ready to make donations for the construction of this place of worship?

Main Features of Islamic Sacred Architecture

Mosque is a Muslim religious building designed for prayer. The very first such building was erected in Medina by Muhammad himself, the last prophet of Islam. Then it looked like a small platform, limited by a coating and a fence. Translated into Arabic, the mosque soundsas a "masjid", i.e. a place for prostration.

The main external elements of the structure are columns, arches, domes. Islam borrowed these building forms from Christian temples. After the Turks conquered the Byzantine Empire, they turned many religious buildings of Christianity into mosques. Later, Muslim architects were so inspired by their forms that they continued to build new structures according to the same building patterns. The most striking example of such imitative architecture can be called the Blue Mosque - the prototype of the temple of St. Sophia the Wisdom of God.

Architectural features of the mosque are designed to express all the versatility of the Islamic worldview. The building itself is a symbol of the earthly essence of man, the top of the dome symbolizes the limit of all things, i.e. Allah, and the inner space of the dome embodies the Spirit.

One or several minarets are usually completed to the building of the mosque. The most common number of minarets is 2 or 4. Two minarets symbolize two hands raised to the sky in prayer.

It is from the minaret that the muazzin makes the call to prayer. To do this, he must climb the spiral staircase of the minaret, turn towards Mecca and loudly sing the azan (call). In modern times, muazzins no longer need to climb the minarets, the audio recordings of the adhan, played at the right time through the loudspeaker, play an alerting role.

Internalorganization

The most notable elements of the interior of the mosque are:

• The mihrab niche, which is located in one of the walls of the mosque, its main purpose is orientation to Mecca, because it is there that the prayer should face.
• Mullah minbar pulpit, which stands to the right of the mihrab.
• Storage of the Holy Quran.

Nothing animate is depicted inside the mosque, because such an image claims to be likened to the Almighty. This prohibition is given in the Koran, where it is written that the one who creates such an image, Allah will torment until the creator breathes life into the depicted object.

Geometric and floral ornaments and calligraphic paintings of quotes from the Koran and Sunnah are widespread in mosques. The most specific feature is the rhythm, the synchronicity of the image, in which ornate patterns of leaves are organically intertwined with lines of sacred text.

Types of mosques

There are such types of mosques:

• Musalla - a building of urban importance, used for services on the holiday of Eid al-Adha. Looks like an open square.
• The quarter mosque is a building designed for five daily prayers.
• Cathedral Mosque - a building designed for Friday prayers.
• Kabire - the central Muslim religious building of the capital.

Destination

Since the Umayyad era, the cathedral mosque has been a clear aspect of the greatness of Muslim rulers andprosperity of the ummah. That is why it is always rich in decoration and pretentious decor.

In the cathedral mosque, Muslims gather for Friday prayers (juma-prayer). On Friday, the khutba prayer is read here. Holiday sermons are also held.

In Islam there is such a remarkable tradition: mosques can be called differently. For example, in honor of the great prophet, one of the four righteous caliphs, or, if the building was built by a specific person, in the name of him or his parents. If the building is being built with the money of the community or donations from foreign brothers in faith, then its name should be as general as possible. For example, based on where the cathedral mosque of Moscow is located, and given that it was built by the common forces of the Ummah, we can say that it generalizes, unites all Muslims of Russia in the geographical and sacred sense. By the way, her address is Vypolzov Lane, 7.

According to representatives of the highest spiritual leadership, it is the cathedral mosque that plays a fundamental role in strengthening the foundations of the Muslim Ummah. For example, Moscow, in addition to its direct functions, also performs the role of a universal spiritual center: important documents for the Ummah are accepted here, international receptions are organized for leaders of the Arab world, mass spiritual and cultural events and excursions are organized, and explanatory conversations about Islam are held.