The Impact of Spatial Openness of Domed Prayer Halls on the Formation of Social Identity in Safavid Era Mosques

Hosseini, Akram

doi:10.22034/hgj.2024.486761.1022

The Impact of Spatial Openness of Domed Prayer Halls on the Formation of Social Identity in Safavid Era Mosques

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Akram Hosseini

Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

10.22034/hgj.2024.486761.1022

Abstract

With the emergence of the Safavid government, Shiism became the official religion. The two principles of spiritual leadership and justice in order to achieve social identity are the distinguishing concepts of Shia religion and it is expected that the construction of mosques, as the most important buildings of the Islamic and Shia worlds, has been influenced by these principles.

This research aims to answer the question of whether the worldview of the Shia religion has influenced the formation of the dome of mosques, and if so, how these concepts have determined the openness of the dome space to the adjacent spaces. In order to carry out the research, 55 domed mosques related to before and after Shiism in Iran were selected and the amount of openness in each of its four windows was extracted. This research has been done with the historical interpretation method in combination with the comparative method.

The results show that the concepts of Shia religion and the principles of spiritual leadership and justice have been manifested in the dome of mosques in the most meaningful way to achieve social identity. The principle of spiritual leadership and justice both help to strengthen the common social identity and create an empathetic and connected atmosphere in the society.

Keywords

Social identity

spiritual leadership

justice

openness

domed mosques

20.1001.1.30927498.1403.2.5.3.2

Subjects

Theoretical studies of art

Ansari, M., Okhovat, H. S., & Molai, M. (2008). Investigating the impact of Shia beliefs on spatial relations in Shia mosques. Shiite Studies, 23, 145-175. https://sid.ir/paper/119615/fa

Ardalan, N., & Bakhtiar, L. (2019). The Sense of Unity (Trans. V. Jalili). Isfahan: Khak.

Bemanian, M., & Silvaye, S. (2012). Examining the role of domes in forming the centrality of mosque architecture. Armanshahr, 9, 19-30. https://www.armanshahrjournal.com/article_33204.html

Burckhardt, T. (1986). Islamic Art (Trans. M. Rajabnia). Tehran: Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting.

Burke, P. (2020). Identity. In P. Kivisto (Ed.), The Cambridge Handbook of Social Theory: Volume 2: Contemporary Theories and Issues. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316677452.005

Dabbagh, A., & Rahbar, Sh. (2015). The manifestation of Shiite concepts in the formation of Safavid and Qajar mosques. Shiite Studies, 52, 67-90. https://sid.ir/paper/519306/fa

Ettinghausen, R., & Grabar, O. (2022). Islamic Art and Architecture (Trans. Y. Azhand). Tehran: SAMT.

Erikson, E. H. (1968). Identity: Youth and crisis. New York: Norton. https://doi.org/10.1002/bs.3830140209

Fathi Azar, S., & Hamze Nejad, M. (2014). Semantic axis in mosque and church. Studies in Iranian-Islamic City, 17, 53-63. https://sid.ir/paper/177358/fa

Ghafari Fard, A., & Nava'i, A. (2002). The history of political, social, economic, and cultural transformations of Iran during the Safavid period. Tehran: SAMT.

Goudarzi, H. (2008). The identity-affirming function of Shia religion in the Safavid period. National Studies, 9(4(36)), 45-72. https://sid.ir/paper/89057/fa

Haj Sayyed Javadi, S. K. (1982). A review of the architecture of Masjid al-Nabi. Art, 2, 118-122. http://ensani.ir/fa/article/113873/

Hillenbrand, R. (2001). Islamic Architecture: Form, Function, and Meaning (Trans. B. Ayatollah Zadeh Shirazi). Tehran: Rozaneh.

Hojjat, A., Golestani, S., & Saedvandi, M. (2015). The role of domed prayer halls in Iranian mosques: A narrative of spatial continuity and discontinuity. Honarhaye Ziba, 3, 21-30. 22059/JFAUP.2015.56875

Hossein Zadeh, S. M. A. (2016). Legitimacy and justice in Shiite political thought: An introduction to justice-based legitimacy. Shiite Studies, 53, 87-118. https://www.shiitestudies.com/article_25327.html

Ibn Manzur, M. B. M. (1996). Lisan al-Arab. Beirut: Dar Sadir. https://lib.eshia.ir/40707/1/1

Khadduri, M. (2015). The Muslim Understanding of Justice (Trans. S. Zahoori & M. Younesi). Qom: Mofid University.

Lahiji, A. (2004). The Essence of Wisdom (Intro. Z. Ghorbani). Tehran: Sayeh.

Mahdavi Nejad, M. J., & Motavar, S. (2012). Skylights in Iranian domes with a focus on structural issues. Naqsh-e Jahan, 2(3), 2-11. https://sid.ir/paper/484107/fa

Mesbah Yazdi, M. T. (2005). Teaching Beliefs (17th ed.). Tehran: Islamic Propagation Organization.

Mohammadi Rey Shahri, M. (2008). Encyclopedia of Islamic Beliefs (Vol. 8). Qom: Dar al-Hadith Publishing and Printing.

Montazeralghaem, E., & Jafari, A. A. (2011). A state in the favor of Rindan: A review on the significance and role of the Safavid state in the history of Shiism. Soure Andisheh, 52 & 53, 229-237. http://www.sooremag.ir/

Motadin, H. (2007). Domed four-sided structures as milestones in Iranian mosque architecture. Honarhaye Ziba, 31, 39-46. https://sid.ir/paper/5651/fa

Nasr, S. H. (1980). Art and Islamic Spirituality: Islamic Thinkers on Nature. Tehran: Khwarazmi.

Nasr, S. H. (2001). Knowledge and Spirituality (Trans. A. Rahmati). Tehran: Sohravardi.

Pirnia, M. (1974). Houses of God in Iran. Art and People, 13(149), 2-8. https://www.noormags.ir/view/fa/articlepage/227659

Pirnia, M. (2019). Styles of Iranian Architecture (Ed. G. Memarian). Tehran: Goljam.

Pope, A. (2003). Iranian Architecture (Trans. G. Sadri Afshar). Tehran: Akhtaran.

Pourjafar, M. R., Yeganeh, M., & Farahani, M. (2016). An analytical approach to the influence of philosophical and traditional thought in architecture and urban planning (A comparative analysis of philosophical and theoretical ideas). Armanshahr, 17, 173-183. https://www.armanshahrjournal.com/article_44616.html

Raghib al-Isfahani, H. B. M. (1995). Mufradat al-faz al-Quran (Ed. T. S. A. Davoodi). Beirut: Dar al-Qalam; al-Dar al-Shamiya.

"Religion and Identity" (2013). Polish Academy of Sciences. Retrieved from https://www.aps.edu/pdfs

Sauvaget, J. (1938). Observation sur quelques mosquees seldjoukides. Librairie Larose. https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Observations_sur_quelques_mosqu%C3%A9es_seld.html?id=vH_ySAAACAAJ&redir_esc=y

Schwartz, S. J., Luyckx, K., & Vignoles, V. L. (2011). Handbook of Identity Theory and Research. New York, NY: Springer New York. https://doi.org/10.1007/9781441979889Sheikh Kuleyni, M. B. Y. (2006). Al-Kafi (Vol. 5). Qom: Qaim Al-Muhammad Institute.Sheikh Tusi, M. B. H. (1967). Al-Tahzib (Vol. 8) (Ed. M. B. Behbudi). Qom: Al-Maktaba al-Murtazaviya.Tabataba'i, S. M. H. (1981). Al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Qur'an (Trans. S. M. B. Mousavi Hamadani).Voll, J. O. (2020). Islam, continuity and change in the modern world. Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/Islam-Continuity-And-Change-In-The-Modern-World/Voll/p/book/9780367172145?srsltid=AfmBOooYtObR1i7kBBpl1lM5XzrrxWQapjVKl2btqSuY-gWieF-rx7Pq

Wardi, A. (2004). Social Glimpses from Modern Iraq's History (Vol. 4). Kauthar Kavir.