The Minaret: Tower of the Mosque

Definition

The minaret (مئذنة, mi'dhanah or manara) is the tower of a mosque from which the muezzin traditionally calls the adhan (call to prayer). The word is derived from 'nar' (fire/light) or 'adhan' (call to prayer), reflecting its dual function as a beacon and a platform for the call.

History

The earliest mosques did not have minarets. In the Prophet's Mosque, Bilal would climb to the highest point of a nearby building to call the adhan. The first true minarets were likely built during the Umayyad period. The Great Mosque of Damascus (built 705-715 CE) features some of the earliest surviving minarets. The tradition spread rapidly throughout the Islamic world, with each region developing distinctive minaret styles.

Regional Styles

North African: Square minarets, influenced by the Almohad style. The Koutoubia in Marrakech and the Giralda in Seville (originally a mosque minaret) are prime examples. Ottoman: Pencil-shaped minarets, tall and slender with conical caps. The Suleymaniye and Sultan Ahmed mosques feature multiple pencil minarets. Central Asian: Cylindrical and often very tall, such as the Kalyan Minaret in Bukhara and the Qutb Minar in Delhi. Southeast Asian: Often incorporating local architectural traditions, with multi-tiered roofs or drum-shaped bases.

Modern Function

With the advent of loudspeakers, the muezzin no longer needs to physically ascend the minaret for the adhan. Today, minarets serve primarily as visual symbols of the mosque and of the Muslim presence in a community.