Editing Mosque (section)

==Architecture==
{{Further|Islamic architecture}}

===Styles===
[[File:Mosque of Islamic Preacher Sayyid Ali Hamadani.jpg|thumb|A 14th-century mosque of [[Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani]] in [[Srinagar]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], India]]

''Arab-plan'' or [[hypostyle]] mosques are the earliest type of mosques, pioneered under the Umayyad Dynasty. These mosques have square or rectangular plans with an enclosed courtyard (''[[sahn]]'') and covered prayer hall. Historically, in the warm Middle Eastern and [[Mediterranean climate]]s, the courtyard served to accommodate the large number of worshippers during Friday prayers. Most early hypostyle mosques had flat roofs on prayer halls, which required the use of numerous [[column]]s and [[Support (structure)|supports]].<ref name="Masdjid1" /> One of the most notable hypostyle mosques is the Great Mosque of Cordoba in Spain, the building being supported by over 850 columns.<ref name = "mit-handout"/> Frequently, hypostyle mosques have outer [[Arcade (architecture)|arcades]] ([[Riwaq (arcade)|''riwaq'']]) so that visitors can enjoy the shade. Arab-plan mosques were constructed mostly under the Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties. The simplicity of the Arab plan limited the opportunities for further development, the mosques consequently losing popularity.<ref name="Masdjid1" />

[[File:Tuzla, hornicka mesita (drevena, 18. stol).jpg|thumb|left|Huseina Čauša džamija (a.k.a. Džindijska), 17th-century traditional wooden mosque in [[Tuzla]], Bosnia and Herzegovina]]

The first departure within mosque design started in Persia (Iran). The [[Persian people|Persians]] had inherited a rich [[Iranian architecture|architectural legacy]] from the earlier Persian dynasties, and they began incorporating elements from earlier [[Parthian Empire|Parthian]] and [[Sassanid Empire|Sassanid]] designs into their mosques, influenced by buildings such as the [[Palace of Ardashir]] and the [[Sarvestan Palace]].<ref name="autogenerated1">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ne.jp/asahi/arc/ind/2_meisaku/55_shah/sha_eng.htm |title=The Royal Mosque (Masjed-e-Emam) in Isfahan, Iran |publisher=Ne.jp |access-date=2011-11-03 |archive-date=2023-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418171726/http://www.ne.jp/asahi/arc/ind/2_meisaku/55_shah/sha_eng.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Thus, [[Islamic architecture]] witnessed the introduction of such structures as domes and large, arched entrances, referred to as ''[[iwan]]s''. During [[Seljuq dynasty|Seljuq rule]], as [[Sufism|Islamic mysticism]] was on the rise, the [[Shah Mosque (Isfahan)#Design – the four-iwan style|four-iwan]] arrangement took form. The four-iwan format, finalized by the Seljuqs, and later inherited by the [[Safavid dynasty|Safavid]]s, firmly established the courtyard façade of such mosques, with the towering gateways at every side, as more important than the actual buildings themselves.<ref name="autogenerated1"/> They typically took the form of a square-shaped central courtyard with large entrances at each side, giving the impression of gateways to the spiritual world.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Blake |first=Stephen P. |title=Half the world: the social architecture of Safavid Isfahan, 1590–1722|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AVAqAQAAMAAJ|access-date=21 February 2013|year=1999|publisher=Mazda Pub.|isbn=978-1-56859-087-5|pages=143–144}}</ref> The Persians also introduced [[Persian gardens]] into mosque designs. Soon, a distinctly [[Iranian architecture|Persian style]] of mosques started appearing that would significantly influence the designs of later [[Timurid dynasty|Timurid]], and also [[Mughal architecture|Mughal]], mosque designs.

[[File:西安清真大寺大殿.jpg|thumb|[[Great Mosque of Xi'an]] in China built in 742]]

The Ottomans introduced central dome mosques in the 15th century. These mosques have a large dome centered over the prayer hall. In addition to having a large central dome, a common feature is smaller domes that exist off-center over the prayer hall or throughout the rest of the mosque, where prayer is not performed.<ref name="mit-vocab">{{Cite web|url=http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Architecture/4-614Religious-Architecture-and-Islamic-CulturesFall2002/LectureNotes/detail/vocab-islam.htm#islam6 |access-date=April 9, 2006 |title=Vocabulary of Islamic Architecture |publisher=Massachusetts Institute of Technology|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060918221451/http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Architecture/4-614Religious-Architecture-and-Islamic-CulturesFall2002/LectureNotes/detail/vocab-islam.htm#islam6 |archive-date = September 18, 2006}}</ref> This style was heavily influenced by Byzantine architecture with its use of large central domes.<ref name="Masdjid1" />

Islam forbids [[figurative art]], on the grounds that the artist must not imitate God's creation. Mosques are, therefore, decorated with [[Abstract art|abstract patterns]] and beautiful inscriptions. Decoration is often concentrated around doorways and the ''[[Mihrab|miḥrāb]]''. Tiles are used widely in mosques. They lend themselves to pattern-making, can be made with beautiful subtle colors, and can create a cool atmosphere, an advantage in the hot Arab countries. Quotations from the [[Quran]] often adorn mosque interiors. These texts are meant to inspire people by their beauty, while also reminding them of the words of Allah.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Encyclopedia|first=Illustrated Family|title=Mosques|publisher=[[DK (publisher)|DK]]|year=2005|isbn=0-14-306302-2|edition=|location=London|page=572}}</ref>

===Prayer hall===
The prayer hall, also known as the ''muṣallá'' ({{langx|ar|مُصَلَّى}}), rarely has furniture; chairs and pews are generally absent from the prayer hall so as to allow as many worshipers as possible to line the room.<ref name="unitulsa">{{Cite web|url=http://www.utulsa.edu/iss/Mosque/MosqueFAQ.html |access-date=April 9, 2006 |publisher=The University of Tulsa |title=Mosque FAQ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070330202640/http://www.utulsa.edu/iss/Mosque/MosqueFAQ.html |archive-date=March 30, 2007 }}</ref> Some mosques have [[Islamic calligraphy]] and Quranic verses on the walls to create a more religious atmosphere for worshippers.<ref name="teach-islam" />

Often, a limited part of the prayer hall is sanctified formally as a ''masjid'' in the ''[[Sharia|sharīʿah]]'' sense (although the term ''masjid'' is also used for the larger mosque complex as well). Once designated, there are onerous limitations on the use of this formally designated ''masjid'', and it may not be used for any purpose other than worship; restrictions that do not necessarily apply to the rest of the prayer area, and to the rest of the mosque complex (although such uses may be restricted by the conditions of the ''[[waqf]]'' that owns the mosque).<ref name="qaSunniPathFiqhMasjid">{{Cite web|url=http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=4347&CATE=4 |title=Fiqh of Masjid & Musalla |publisher=Qa.sunnipath.com |date=2005-07-03 |access-date=2011-11-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019002051/http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=4347&CATE=4|archive-date=2011-10-19}}</ref>

In many mosques, especially the early congregational mosques, the prayer hall is built in the [[hypostyle]] form (the roof held up by a multitude of columns).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kleiner |first=Fred S. |title=Gardner's Art Through the Ages: The Western Perspective |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IJrN8rDirxkC&pg=PA265 |access-date=21 February 2013 |year=2010 |publisher=Cengage Learning |isbn=978-0-495-57355-5 |page=265}}</ref> One of the finest examples of the hypostyle-plan mosques is the [[Great Mosque of Kairouan]] in [[Tunisia]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kleiner |first=Fred S. |title=Gardner's Art Through the Ages: The Western Perspective |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IJrN8rDirxkC&pg=PA267 |access-date= 21 February 2013|year=2010 |publisher=Cengage Learning |isbn=978-0-495-57355-5 |page=267}}</ref>

Usually opposite the entrance to the prayer hall is the ''[[qibla]]'' wall (the direction of [[Mecca]], and thus the direction towards which [[Muslims]] should face for prayer), the visually emphasized area inside the prayer hall. The ''qibla'' wall should, in a properly oriented mosque, be set perpendicular to a line leading to [[Mecca]], where the [[Kaaba]] is located.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Writing Signs: Fatimid Public Text |date=December 16, 1998 |last=Bierman |first=Irene A. |publisher=University of California Press |page=150 |isbn=978-0-520-20802-5}}</ref> Congregants pray in rows parallel to the qiblah wall and thus arrange themselves so they face Mecca. In the ''qibla'' wall, usually at its center, is the ''[[Mihrab|miḥrāb]]'', a niche or depression indicating the direction of Mecca. Usually the ''mihrab'' is not occupied by furniture either. A raised ''[[minbar]]'' (pulpit) is located to the right side of the ''mihrab'' for a ''[[Khatib|khaṭīb]]'' (preacher), or some other speaker, to offer a ''[[Khutbah|khuṭbah]]'' (sermon) during the ritual Friday prayers.

The ''mihrab'' serves as the location where the [[imam]] or [[mullah]] leads the five daily prayers on a regular basis.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ioc.u-tokyo.ac.jp/~islamarc/WebPage1/htm_eng/index/keyword1_e.htm |access-date=April 9, 2006 |title=Terms 1: Mosque |publisher=University of Tokyo Institute of Oriental Culture |archive-date=February 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212174310/http://www.ioc.u-tokyo.ac.jp/~islamarc/WebPage1/htm_eng/index/keyword1_e.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Left to the ''mihrab'', in the front left corner of the mosque, sometimes there is a ''kursu'' (Turkish: {{lang|tr|[[:wikt:tr:kürsü#Türkçe|kürsü]]}}, Bosnian: ''{{lang|bs|ćurs/ћурс}}''), a small elevated plateau (rarely with a chair or other type of seat) used for less formal preaching and speeches.

<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px">
File:Great Mosque of Kairouan, prayer hall.jpg|Main prayer hall with hypostyle in the [[Great Mosque of Kairouan]], Tunisia
File:İstanbul 5736.jpg|[[Ottoman architecture|Ottoman-style]] prayer hall of the [[Yıldız Hamidiye Mosque]] in [[Istanbul]], Turkey
File:Wooden Village, Nishapur 1395-09-02 2281911.jpg|Wooden prayer hall of the [[Wooden Mosque]], a building which is concentrated with wood, in [[Nishapur]], Iran
File:GD-FR-Paris-Mosquée018 (2-3 size).JPG|[[Moorish Revival]] prayer hall of the [[Grand Mosque of Paris]] in [[Paris]], France
File:A picture from China every day 144.jpg|[[Chinese Islamic architecture|Chinese Islamic-style]] prayer hall of the [[Songjiang Mosque]] in [[Shanghai]], China
File:Mihrab of the Istiqlal Mosque Jakarta.jpg|[[International Style|International]] and [[New Formalism (architecture)|New Formalism-style]] prayer hall of the [[Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta|Istiqlal Mosque]] in [[Jakarta]], Indonesia
</gallery>

====Women's prayer hall====
{{Multiple image|total_width=300|image1=Зеница 20190509 164252.jpg|caption1=Stairs toward the ''maqfil''|image2=Зеница 20190509 164523.jpg|caption2=View of the ''maqfil''}}

[[Islam and gender segregation|Women who pray in mosques are separated from men]]. Their part for prayer is called ''[[Women's prayer in Islam|maqfil]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.humanrights.ge/admin/editor/uploads/pdf/angarishebi/hridc/religiur%20umciresobata%20kulturuli%20memkvidreoba-eng.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404231318/http://www.humanrights.ge/admin/editor/uploads/pdf/angarishebi/hridc/religiur%20umciresobata%20kulturuli%20memkvidreoba-eng.pdf|url-status=live|title=State of cultural heritage of religious minorities in Georgia|archive-date=2016-04-04|work=humanrights.ge|year=2016|access-date=2019-10-29}}</ref> (Bosnian: ''{{lang|bs|makfil/макфил}}''). It is located above the main prayer hall, elevated in the background as stairs-separated gallery or plateau (surface-shortened to the back relative to the bottom main part). It usually has a perforated fence at the front, through which the [[imam]] or [[mullah]] and the other male worshippers in the main hall can be partially seen.

===Mihrab===
[[File:Mihrab Medina.JPG|thumb|upright|Mihrab in [[Al-Masjid an-Nabawi]], [[Medina]], Saudi Arabia]]

A ''[[mihrab|miḥrāb]]'', also spelled as ''mehrab'' is a semicircular [[Niche (architecture)|niche]] in the wall of a mosque that faces the ''[[qibla]]h'' (i.e. the "front" of the mosque); the imam stands in this niche and leads prayer. Given that the imam typically stands alone in the frontmost row, this niche's practical effect is to save unused space.{{sfn|Kuban|1974|p=4}} The ''[[minbar]]'' is a [[pulpit]] from which the Friday sermon is delivered. While the ''minbar'' of Muhammad was a simple chair, later it became larger and attracted artistic attention. Some remained made of wood, albeit exquisitely carved, while others were made of marble and featured [[frieze]]s.{{sfn|Kuban|1974|pp=5-6}}

===Minarets===
{{Main|Minaret}}
[[File:Tower of the Great Mosque of Kairouan.JPG|thumb|left|upright|One of the oldest standing minarets in the world, at the Great Mosque of Kairouan, in Tunisia]]

A common feature in mosques is the minaret, the tall, slender tower that usually is situated at one of the corners of the mosque structure. The top of the minaret is always the highest point in mosques that have one, and often the highest point in the immediate area. [[File:ASC Leiden - van Achterberg Collection - 5 - 022 - Deux minarets de boue de la Grande Mosquée - Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, 19-26 août 2001.tif|thumb|Two minarets made of clay with twenty layers of horizontal protruding wooden sticks from the [[Grand Mosque of Bobo-Dioulasso|Great Mosque of Bobo-Dioulasso]] in Burkina Faso]]The origin of the minaret and its initial functions are not clearly known and have long been a topic of scholarly discussion.{{Sfn|Hillenbrand|1994|pp=129–137}}{{sfn|Bloom|2013|p=|loc=Chapter 1: The History of Scholarship and the Nature of the Problem}} The earliest mosques lacked minarets, and the call to prayer was often performed from smaller structures or elevated platforms.{{sfn|Bloom|2013|pp=29-46}}<ref name="Creswell 12">{{cite journal |last1=Creswell |first1=K. A. C. |author-link1=K. A. C. Creswell |date=March 1926 |title=The Evolution of the Minaret, with Special Reference to Egypt-I |journal=[[The Burlington Magazine for Connoisseurs]] |volume=48 |issue=276 |pages=134–140 |jstor=862832}}</ref>{{Sfn|Hillenbrand|1994|pp=136–137}} The early Muslim community of Medina gave the call to prayer from the doorway or the roof of the house of [[Muhammad]], which doubled as a place for prayer.{{sfn|Bloom|2013|pp=23–30, 46}} The first confirmed minarets in the form of towers date from the early 9th century under Abbasid rule and they did not become a standard feature of mosques until the 11th century.{{sfn|Bloom|2013|pp=xvii, 64, 72}}{{Sfn|Petersen|1996|pp=187–188}} These first minaret towers were placed in the middle of the wall opposite the qibla wall.{{sfn|Bloom|2013|pp=73–82}} Among them, the minaret of the Great Mosque of Kairouan in Tunisia, dating from 836, is well-preserved and is one of the oldest surviving minarets in the world today.<ref name=":2432">{{harvnb|Bloom|Blair|2009|loc=''Minaret''}}</ref>{{Sfn|Petersen|1996|pp=187-188}}{{sfn|Bloom|2013|pp=73-75}}

Before the five required daily prayers, a ''[[Mu'adhin|Mu'adhdhin]]'' ({{langx|ar|مُـؤَذِّن|links=no}}) calls the worshippers to prayer from the minaret. In many countries like Singapore where Muslims are not the majority, mosques are prohibited from loudly broadcasting the ''[[Adhan|Adhān]]'' ({{langx|ar|أَذَان|links=no}}, Call to Prayer), although it is supposed to be said loudly to the surrounding community. The ''adhan'' is required before every prayer. Nearly every mosque assigns a ''muezzin'' for each prayer to say the ''adhan'' as it is a recommended practice or ''[[Sunnah]]'' ({{langx|ar|سُـنَّـة}}) of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. At mosques that do not have minarets, the ''adhan'' is called instead from inside the mosque or somewhere else on the ground.<ref name="teach-islam" /> The ''[[Iqama|Iqâmah]]'' ({{langx|ar|إِقَـامَـة|links=no}}), which is similar to the ''adhan'' and proclaimed right before the commencement of prayers, is usually not proclaimed from the minaret even if a mosque has one.

===Domes===
[[File:201 Dome Mosque 06.jpg|thumb|The [[201 Dome Mosque]] in Tangail District, Bangladesh]]

Domes have been a prominent feature in mosque architecture for centuries, evolving both in form and function. Traditionally placed above the main prayer hall, they symbolize the connection between the earthly and divine, often representing the vaults of heaven and sky.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Symmetries of Nature: A Handbook for Philosophy of Nature and Science |last=Mainzer |first=Klaus |date= 1996 |isbn=978-3-11-012990-8 |page=124 |chapter=Art and Architecture |quote=the dome arching over the believers like the spherical dome of the sky |publisher=Walter de Gruyter |location=Berlin}}</ref> Initially, domes were small structures above the mihrab, but over time, they expanded to cover the entire roof of the prayer hall. The shape of the dome evolved from simple hemispherical forms to more complex designs, with the Mughals in India popularizing the onion-shaped dome, which became a hallmark of South Asian and Arabic mosque architecture.<ref>{{harvnb|Asher|1992|p=256}}</ref> The design and function of domes have been influenced by various cultures, including Persian, Byzantine, and Central Asian traditions, each contributing to the techniques and aesthetics used in their construction. Today, domes continue to serve both structural and spiritual purposes, with modern innovations further enhancing their functionality and sustainability.

'''Structural and functional roles'''

Domes not only serve as architectural focal points but also enhance mosque acoustics, amplifying the sound of the prayer and the sermon. Structurally, they allow vast interior spaces with minimal internal supports and they make the mosque appear bigger on the inside. Their placement above the prayer hall symbolizes the connection between the earthly and the divine, reinforcing the mosque's spiritual purpose.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Dome |url=https://referenceworks.brill.com/display/entries/EI3O/COM-26080.xml |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=referenceworks |doi=10.1163/1573-3912_ei3_COM_26080 |language=en}}</ref>

'''Origin of mosque domes'''

The origin of domes in mosque architecture can be traced back to the early Islamic period, particularly under the Umayyad Caliphate (661–750 AD). The Umayyads, played a key role in incorporating domes into mosque architecture, drawing heavily from pre-Islamic Byzantine and Sassanian traditions. One of the earliest and most significant examples is the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, constructed in 691 AD by the Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik. This structure was not a mosque but a shrine, yet it set a precedent for the use of domes in Islamic architecture, symbolizing the vault of heaven and the connection between the divine and earthly realms.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Grabar |first=Oleg |date=December 1963 |title="The Islamic Dome, Some Considerations." |journal=Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians |volume=22 |issue=4 |pages=191–198 |doi=10.2307/988190 |jstor=988190 }}</ref>

Initially, domes in mosques were modest in size and positioned above the mihrab, emphasizing their symbolic function as markers of spiritual focus.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}  As the Islamic empire expanded, architects incorporated techniques from different regions.

'''Persian and Byzantine influences'''

Whilst squinches and pendentives were not first used in mosques, they were later incorporated in dome design and were essential in transitioning from square rooms to circular domes.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Blessing |first=Patricia |date=15 March 2022 |title=Squinch and Pendentive |url=https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/khamseen/terms/2022/squinch-and-pendentive/ |website=Khamseen: Islamic Art History Online}}</ref> Squinches, which originated in Persian and Roman architecture, fill the corners of a square space to support a dome, while pendentives, a Byzantine innovation, allowed smooth transitions from a square base to a circular dome.<ref name=":2" /> These techniques are exemplified by the Dome of Soltaniyeh.

'''Domes in South Asian mosque architecture'''

Domes became a defining feature of South Asian mosque architecture during the Delhi Sultanate and reached their peak under the Mughal Empire. Influenced by Persian and Central Asian traditions, the Mughals introduced the iconic onion-shaped domes, seen in landmarks like the Jama Masjid in Delhi and the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}} These domes were not only visually striking but also represented remarkable engineering, using techniques such as iron dowels for strength and timber centering for precision. The Mughal architectural style still influences mosque design today.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

'''Modern innovations'''

One prime example of modern innovation is the Masjid Raja Haji Fi Sabilillah in Malaysia, which features a Low-E (low emissivity) glass dome. The use of Low-E glass allows for significant energy efficiency by reducing heat gain while still allowing natural light to illuminate the interior space.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Lasindu |first=Gamage |date=10 December 2023 |title="The Evolution of the Islamic Architectural Dome Feature" |url=https://www.majournal.my/index.php/maj/article/view/184/96 |journal=Malaysia Architectural Journal |volume=5 |issue=3 |pages=38–41}}</ref> This technique helps to maintain a comfortable temperature inside the mosque, minimizing reliance on air conditioning, and promoting sustainability.

===Ablution facilities===
[[File:Ablution area inside Eastern wall of Badshahi mosque.JPG|thumb|The ''[[wudu]]'' ("ablution") area, where Muslims wash their hands, forearm, face and feet before they pray. Example from the [[Badshahi Mosque, Lahore]], Pakistan]]

As [[Ritual purification#Islam|ritual purification]] precedes all prayers, mosques often have [[Wudu|ablution]] fountains or other facilities for washing in their entryways or courtyards. Worshippers at much smaller mosques often have to use restrooms to perform their ablutions. In traditional mosques, this function is often elaborated into a freestanding building in the center of a courtyard.<ref name="mit-handout">{{Cite web |url=http://web.mit.edu/4.614/www/handout02.html |access-date=April 9, 2006 |publisher=Massachusetts Institute of Technology |title=Religious Architecture and Islamic Cultures |archive-date=July 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120720215715/http://web.mit.edu/4.614/www/handout02.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This desire for cleanliness extends to the prayer halls where shoes are disallowed to be worn anywhere other than the cloakroom. Thus, foyers with shelves to put shoes and racks to hold coats are commonplace among mosques.<ref name="unitulsa" />

===Contemporary features===
Modern mosques have a variety of amenities available to their congregants. As mosques are supposed to appeal to the community, they may also have additional facilities, from [[clinic|health clinics]] and [[health club|clubs]] (gyms) to [[library|libraries]] to [[gym]]nasiums, to serve the community.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Student Life – Masjid DarusSalam |url=https://masjidds.org/tanwir-intensive/student-of-islam/ |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=masjidds.org}}</ref>

===Symbols===
Certain symbols are represented in a mosque's architecture to allude to different aspects of the Islamic religion. One of these feature symbols is the spiral. The "cosmic spiral" found in designs and on minarets is a references to heaven as it has "no beginning and no end".<ref name="Erzen 2011 126–129">{{citation |last=Erzen |first=Jale Nejdet |title=Reading Mosques: Meaning and Architecture in Islam |journal=[[The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism]] |volume=69 |issue=1 |year=2011 |pages=126–129 |jstor=42635843 |doi=10.1111/j.1540-6245.2010.01453.x |doi-access=free }}</ref> Mosques also often have floral patterns or images of fruit and vegetables. These are allusions to the paradise after death.<ref name="Erzen 2011 126–129"/>