Early Terminology of Mosque Architecture in Historical Sources: The Prophet’s Mosque as the Archetypal Model

Essam Ayyad (Qatar University)

Journal of Islamic Architecture
Vol 9, No 1 (2026): Journal of Islamic Architecture (Issue in Progress)

The Arabic terms used by the early sources to describe the first Islamic mosques were as simple as the buildings themselves. Over time, as mosque architecture matured into its characteristic forms, the associated terminology became more refined and specialized. The varied terms for similar architectural elements often reflected chronological and regional influences, shaped by a multitude of cultural factors and the progression of the elements themselves. This lexicon was also influenced by the colloquial language of the early sources, their familiarity with architectural traditions, and/or even retrospective interpretations. Overall, a careful analysis of the vocabulary related to early mosque architecture provides valuable insights into its evolution and the cultural forces that molded its defining features.