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The mosque
Prayer is established at four levels: the individual, the congregation, the total population of a town and the entire Muslim world. For three of these there are distinct liturgical structures. The first is the (masjid), a mosque used for daily prayer by individuals or small groups but not for the Friday worship; it therefore has a (mihrab) but no (minbar) (pulpit). The second is the (jami’) or Friday mosque; the main weekly service, it is normally much larger than a (masjid) and provided with a (minbar). The third is the (idgah) (‘place of prayer’).
The courtyard
Afforded an opportunity for architectural display, which the Ottomans, the Safavids and especially the Mughals seized with enthusiasm.
Fountains
could also be works of art; each tap is set in a finely worked niche. In front are stone stools so that the worshipper can isolate himself from the ritually impure floor.
The axis of prayer
The (mihrab), a niche in the centre of the (qibla) walls to define the direction of Mecca.
