Islamic Architecture

Islam architecture spread over the years, which influenced many countries in the world to use Islamic characteristics in their buildings. In the earlier days, Arab architectural designs were developed and influenced by culture and religion.  The Arab architects were inspired by the design and details of the Prophet’s house. The house was built with sun-dried bricks, a courtyard, and an open porch, which is made from palm trunks. The porch of the Prophet’s house became a prayer hall and its roof was supported by rows of columns. There were also rows of arches and domes, which are the traditional architectural forms of Islamic architecture. The minaret, is a  squared tower and the Mihrab, is an empty niche set. These forms are in every mosque.

The Prophets house that was turned into a Mosque in the Madina

There was an exchange in culture between Islam and Byzantium which can be seen in AlHambra the great mosque in Spain.  Arab artists used geometric patterns, plant forms, and Arabic scripts for decorations. Islamic architecture was also affected by the culture of Persia. Their architecture inspired new forms of mosques that can be seen in the Friday Mosque at Isfahan.  This mosque had an iwan which is a hall set on each side, which was something standard and common in Persia. 



 AlHambra mosque in Cordoba, Spain that was built by Muslims when they wrote most glorious chapters in Islamic history.







A Dome from inside of AlHambra mosque in Cordoba, Spain.





 Arches in the  AlHambra mosque in Cordoba, Spain.