Editing Mosque (section)

===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>