ALMISKEENAH

 

 

SIX 

 

Appreciation and acknowledgements for this excerpt from Sidi Masud’s Hajj reflections.

“Dr. Mostafa explained the significance and symbolism of the minaret, outwardly it is a device utilised by the muezzin to call the faithful to prayer. Inwardly it has many meanings, one of which is the shahdah such as when one raises the index finger, secondly, Dr. Mostafa said, is that it signifies the Mir’aj, since the minaret goes from the ground, (the earth) to the heavens and is symbolic of this mystical journey. He mentioned that the classic minaret design is as follows:

a square base,
then a balcony,
then an octagonal column,
then a balcony,
then circular (cylindrical) column,
and then the top balcony.
The octagonal column quite often has a “zig-zag” pattern as per the minarets of Masjid Nabawi.
On the top of the minaret you often find three spheres arranged vertically and then a crescent moon upturned like “U” rather than “C”.

 

He went on to say that each component has a significance:

the square base: a square has four sides, the number 4 signifies the four basic elements of the material world, usually, Earth, Water, Air, Fire - this represents the world of the material

the octagonal column: represents the Angelic realm (Alam al-Malakut) and I can’t remember the reasoning Dr. Mostafa gave but it is the state when ones starts to shed the material and is tending to the ethereal. This column also has the “zig-zag” symbol which is a universal symbol for water, which again emphasises the “fluidic” nature of this state, that it is not quite solid and it is not quite spirit.

the circular (cylindrical) column: represents the world of “power” (Alam al-Jabarut), again details of this are hazy, but this is the world where one has direct knowledge of God and has shed the material completely.

the balconies (and this is my own feeling on this) represent the maqam you reach after passing through each of the stages.

The three spheres on the top, again emphasis these three realms and then the upturned crescent represents a receiving vessel as it is cup shaped. The bottom edge of the crescent is convexed and in optics and convex lens radiates out, therefore this crescent receives from heaven and then radiates and distributes down through the realms.

This then makes the minaret a metaphor for the spiritual path, in that it takes great effort to reach the top and you go through these stages attempting to shed the material to become lighter so that you can rise and penetrate the upper realms.”

 

 

I have heard that the reason the crescents on the Masjid Nabawi minarets are closed as a complete circle because they are symbolic of the Deen being completed during the Madian phase of our history. The crescents are gold plated bronze, weighing 4.5 tonnes and are 7 meters high. While the crescents of Masjid al-Haram are open as an upturned bowl. And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen.