Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is indeed a crown possessed by the world of Islamic architecture.

The project of the grand Mosque was launched by Sheik Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan. It was conctructed between 1996 and 2007. It was designed by a Syrian architect Yousef Abdelky, covering the area of more than 30 acres.

 As per desire of the Sultan, this grand Mosque is the best example of Islamic cultural diversity of the Muslim world. Late Sultan's final resting place is also on the grounds adjacent to the complex nearby.

The Mosque is a beautiful and balanced combination of different elements of  many Muslim architectects. No doubt, it is the best example of harmony as well as uniqueness in this regard.

It's design has been inspired by Persian, Mughal, and Alexandrian of Abbu-al-Abbas Murssi Mosque and also the Indo-Islamic mosque architecture, particulary the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan.

 Its 82 domes of various sizes and floors were inspired by Badshahi Mosque, Lahore. It's floral designed courtyards, considered to be the largest example of marble mosaic in the world.

It's archways are Moorish. It's minarates classically Arab.
Natural materials were chosen for most of it's conctruction due to their long lasting qualities. It includes gold, stones, crystals,marble,semi precious stones, ceramics.

Artisans and materials came from all around the world including Pakistan, Italy, Egypt, India, Morocco, Germany, Malaysia, China, Iran, United Kingdom, North Mecidonia and New Zealand.

There is a large accomodation of 41,000 worshipers in this grand Mosque. Main prayer hall has a capacity of over 7,000 worshipers.

 In it's various unique and distinguished elemnts, its carpet is supposedto be thw world's largest carpet designed by an Iranian artist. it's weight is 35 ton.

One of its chendliers, from Germany, considered the world's third largest chendlier.
The unique lightining system along the pool side is designed to reflect the phases of moon.

Beautiful bluish gray clouds are projected in lights onto the external walls and  get brighter and darker according to the phase of moon.

Different shades of Mosque also enhance it's beauty and grandeur in its own way.

The 99 name of Allah, are featured on the Qibla wall  in traditional Kufi calligraphy. Over all, three calligraphy styles Kufi, Thuluth and Nuskh used throughout the Mosque.

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Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque, Brunei

                          
In Islam, "Salaat" is the most important act of "Ibadah" (worship). The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) said:“If any one of you in which he washes himself five times a day, will there remain any dirt on your body? Verily, the likeness of the Salaat is the same as the stream. The Person who establishes the ritual prayers clears out his sins thereby, except for the sin that take him out from the faith that he believes in."
 Salaat gives us both worldly and spiritual beneficial.

Salaate Jamaat means praying in congregation (gathering). There is a great reward when Salaat is offered in "Jamaat". Our Holy Prophet (SAW) has laid great emphasis on Jamaat Salaat. Therefore we should offer Jamaat Salaat as often as possible. 

A mosque is a place of worship for Muslims. Mosques commonly serve as locations for prayer. In the past, many mosques in the Muslim world were built. With the spread of Islam, mosques multiplied across the Islamic world.

                                       
It is named after Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the 28th Sultan of Brunei, who initiated its construction. The mosque serves as a symbol of the Islamic faith in Brunei and dominates the skyline of Bandar Seri Begawan. The building was completed in 1958 and is an example of modern Islamic architecture.
                                     
From around Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, the golden topped dome of the mosque shines in the night sky. Although its population is only 400,000, 2/3 of the population of Brunei adhere to Islam, laws are based on Sharia. The country is extremely proud of its Muslim population, and the golden mosque was built to honor this section of the country.       
This grand mosque is consist of imported Italian marble pillars and floor, granite from Shanghai, crystal chandeliers from England, ornate carpets from Saudi Arabia and a main dome of pure gold. 

The mosque unites Mughal architecture and Malay styles and was designed by the architect and sculptor Rudolfu Nolli.

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque is a an exclamation point above the Brunei River, and "the village in the water", Kampong Ayer. Built on an artificial lagoon on the banks of the river.   

                              
رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
"Our Lord (Allah) ! Accept ( this service) from us. Indeed ! You are all the Hearing, the All-Knowing". (Surah Al-Baqrah, verse 127)

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Hassan Sani Mosque Morocco

Casablanca is the heart of Morocco, and "Hassan Sani Mosque" is its heartbeat.

Hassan II Mosque is one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in the world that is situated above the Atlantic Ocean. It is built partly on the sea.The Mosque, at completion in 1993, became Morocco’s largest, and the 7th largest in the whole world. Though it was designed by French architect Michel Pinseau but it has been done with intention by the architect to recall a verse of the Qur’an stating that :
“The throne of Allah was built on water.”

 “I wish Casablanca to be endowed with a large, fine building of which it can be proud until the end of time … I want to build this mosque on the water, because God’s throne is on the water. Therefore, the faithful who go there to pray, to praise the creator on firm soil, can contemplate God’s sky and ocean.” – King Hassan II

At 210 meters, its minaret is also the world’s tallest, topped by a laser whose light is directed towards Mecca. Hassan II claims the title of having the largest minaret in the world.

 On nine hectares, it includes a prayer room, ablution room, baths, a religious school (madrasa), a library and a museum. The size and elaborate decoration of the prayer hall is simply tremendous and well capacious as the main hall can welcome around 25,000 worshipers while over 80,000 people can gather on the outside grounds. Starting work in 1986, some 6,000 of the Kingdom’s most prestigious craftsmen, using the finest materials from across Morocco.

It was also built with modern concerns in mind. In fact, the above said mosque, no doubt, is a beautiful blend of traditional and contemporary elements. The mosque is a spectacular landmark in the Muslim world of architecture and is a reflection of the very best Moroccan artisan-ship: hand-carved stone and wood, intricate marble flooring and inlay, gilded cedar ceilings and exquisite zellige (geometric mosaic tile work) abound.

Uthman ibn Affan reported: The Messenger of Allah, (peace and blessings be upon him), said, “Whoever builds a mosque for Allah, Allah will build for him a house like it in Paradise.”
Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 439, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 533

 

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