Glossary of Terms
caravansarai A place for travelers, especially merchants, to stop and rest. Caravansarais were often built along trade routes.
Hadith The Hadith is the record of the sayings and practices of Muhammad. It is also known as the Traditions.
iwan A vaulted area open at one end. Iwans often open onto a courtyard.
madrasa A higher school devoted to the study of the traditional Islamic sciences.
maqsura An enclosure within a mosque set aside for the ruler.
mihrab An arch or niche inside a mosque that indicates the direction of Mecca, the proper direction for prayer. The mihrab is located in the qibla wall.
minaret A tower, often quite slender, used to call the faithful to prayer.
minbar A platform with steps used by a speaker or prayer leader in some mosques. Sometimes referred to as a pulpit.
mosque An Islamic place of worship, analogous to a church for Christians or a temple for Jews. Mosques designated for community prayer are called Friday Mosques.
muqarnas Tiers or rows of niches, sometimes called stalactite vaulting, often used within an arch or in transitional areas beneath a ceiling or dome.
pendentive A triangular segment that transfers the weight of a dome to a square or polygonal base.
qibla axis An imaginary axis extending through a mosque and pointing toward Mecca. The qibla axis indicates the proper direction for prayer.
qibla wall The wall of a mosque perpendicular to the qibla axis and containing the mihrab.
Qur'an The holy book of the recitations of the Prophet Muhammad.
sahn The open courtyard of a mosque, as opposed to the covered area or sanctuary.
Sira The Sira is the traditional life of Muhammad.
squinch A device by which a round dome or drum is supported on a square or polygonal base. The squinch helps transition the weight of the drum or dome to the walls of the square or polygon.
Sura A chapter of the Qur'an.

Use the BACK button to return to the page you were on.