Mihrab mosaic
Date:
Ninth century
Location or Findspot (Modern-Day Country):
Israel/Palestinian territory
Dimensions:
overall 140 × 97 cm,
mihrab 115 × 86 cm
Description:
This ninth-century floor mosaic depicts a mihrab, the focal point of Muslim prayer that indicates the qibla. The inscriptions, in Kufic script, say "al-qibla" and then "do not be heedless," a warning that one should not be negligent about the need to pray regularly to Allah (God). This second phrase is from Qur'an sura 7:205: "And remember your Lord within yourself humbly and fearing and in a voice not loud in the morning and the evening, and be not of the heedless ones."
The mosaic marked a prayer space in a private house in Ramallah. Mihrabs were often represented on prayer rugs, but this is the only known example in mosaic.
The mosaic marked a prayer space in a private house in Ramallah. Mihrabs were often represented on prayer rugs, but this is the only known example in mosaic.
Relevant Textbook Chapter(s):
5
Repository and Online Resources:
• The mosaic is in the Israel Museum, Jerusalem (IAA 1965-1474).
Image Credits:
Linda Safran
Tags:
Islamic,
Mediterranean,
Western Asian,
Access to the sacred,
Ideology,
Arabic ,
Domestic,
Qur'an
