Masjid of Abu Dalaf
(Dr. Mustafa Kalhoro Taagrraai, Karachi)
MOSQUE Of ABU DALAF (In Iraq)
The caliph Al Mutawakkil Ala Allah wanted Al Mutawakkiliya Mosque (Al Jaafariya)
to be like his Mosque in Samarra in terms of design and minaret. It was named
the Mosque of Abu Dalaf in reference to the Abbasid commander who was well-known
in the time of the Caliph Harun ar-Rasheed (died in Baghdad in 266 A.H./ 841
A.D.).
The mosque is located in the north-eastern part of Al Jaafariya. It is
rectangular, smaller than the mosque of Samarra, and its external walls were
built from adobe and clay, like most of Al Mutawakkil’s buildings. Its pillars,
arches and minaret were built from large bricks and plaster. The external walls
fell down while most parts built from large bricks and plaster have remained
intact.
Among the new architectural elements in the Mosque of Abu Dalaf is the pointed
and inflated arch, which was made so in order to handle the holding capacity of
vessels and porticos.
The mosque’s mihrab (prayer niche) stands out from the wall side facing toward
Mecca, which is considered a novelty in Islamic architecture.
Note:- This article is written by Dr. Mustafa Husain Kalhoro, Taagrraai of Ripri
who is the 1st history writer of Ripri. There are his 08 published books and
several unpublished. His most popular book is “HISTORY OF RIPRI”.