Masjid of Abu Dalaf in Iraq
(Dr. Mustafa Kalhoro Taagrraai, Karachi)
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 taken in black and white by Dr. Mustafa Husain Kalhoro,
Taagrraai of Ripri who is the 1st history writer of Ripri. There are his 10
published books and several unpublished. His most popular book is “HISTORY OF
RIPRI”.