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the importance of prostration in Islamic worship and the importance of the mosque as a
sacred place.

3.2.1 The Origin of Mosque

The first mosque (fig.5), which was built at Medina in Saudi Arabia and is said to have been

founded by the Prophet Muhammad as his initial residence, is considered a classic template
for building early mosques(fig.6). The distinctive shape, consisting in a circular enclosed
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courtyard on the one side and an adjacent housing unit on the other, was typical of this basic
structure built from mudbrick. The courtyard played a key role in the mosque's architectural

layout, which is its central space for congregation activities.

The porch, which was set up with a sheltered canopy of palm trees, had been dedicated to

the tactical orientation of the courtyard, particularly on one side facing the qibla or direction
of prayer. The architecture element was dually intended to serve two purposes: it provided a

symbolic and practical function. symbolismally, it was the focal point of Islam's prayer,
aligned with the qibla and could be seen to serve as a shade for Muhammad's followers who

gathered in the blazing desert heat.

fig.5: The original mosque, prior to its demolition in the fig.6 Diagram
reconstruction of the house 20thcentuary(Source: Wikipedia)
Medina, Saudi Arabia.(Source: Wikipedia)

It was not only the first mosque in Medina that was characterised by this distinctive design,
which focused on the courtyard and the shaded porch facing the qibla but also served as a

model for future mosque constructions. This architectural template is widespread among
early mosques in the Arab world and it remains one of the most common features for later

mosque designs.