A theory of mosque architecture with special emphasis on the problems of designing mosques for the modern Sunni Muslim society

• Main Author: Rasdi, Tajuddin Mohamad
• Published: University of Edinburgh 1996
• Subjects: 720
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.660944

The primary aim of the thesis is the development of an architectural framework for planning and designing mosques from the orthodox Sunni Islamic perspective. In the light of the present resurgence in Islamic thoughts towards a return to the fundamental teachings of the Kur'an and the Prophet Muhammad's Sunna, the role and design of mosques have been questioned as to whether they fulfil the eternal values of Islam for Muslims living in the modern world. A survey of the literature on mosques suggests two different concerns about the idea of the mosque and its purpose. One view, which is mostly held by the public at large, professional architects supported by architectural historians, maintains that the mosque is a house of God whose main function is to cater for the performance of prayers. The other view, which is mostly held by Muslim intellectuals, maintains that the mosque's main role should be directed towards the development of the Muslim community in all aspects of life. The thesis adopts the approach that the design of mosques must be based on its eternal idea interpreted within the constraints of the needs of the modern Muslim society. The eternal idea of the mosque is derived from an understanding of the Prophet's conception of the mosque and the historical needs in his life time. The eternal idea of the mosque is also based on the meanings of worship in Islam which comprises the rituals associated with the mosque and the Muslim's individual and social obligations interpreted within the total framework of Islam.