Journal of Researches in Islamic Architecture

---

Places of worship, as symbolic spaces, have played a key role in all religions. In this respect, they differ from other buildings with different functions. However, the presence of places of worship belonging to different religions in the same city or town has been based on identity differentiations. Given the rapidly growing virtual communications in today›s world, it has become even more important to pay serious attention to identity differentiations concerning places of worship. The present study aimed to make a typology of Synagogues, Churches and Mosques in Isfahan- Persian capital during Safavid era. The implication of a comparative comparison among the mentioned places of worship, in terms of symbolic and spiritual concepts, can help contemporary architects and designers to build such buildings. Therefore, the symbolic differentiations, especially those concerning mosques, can be taken into consideration to design and build mosques. The main questions of this study include: what are the identity differentiations among the synagogues, churches and mosques? And, to what extent such differentiations are rooted in spiritual foundations of each religion? The hypothesis of this study is that different readings of Sacred Attributes are reflected in different physical characteristics of different places of worship. Here, considering four scared concepts, that is, attributes of similarity, attributes of incomparability, attributes of beauty and attributes of glory, the built places of worship in Isfahan were studied under three distinct types: similarity-beauty; incomparability-glory and similarity-beauty/ incomparability-glory. Then, keeping the mentioned sacred concepts in mind, the physical characteristics of the built places of worship were examined. Data were gathered based on library sources and attributional studies and then were analyzed comparatively. The criteria applied were examined through a comparative approach among the worship places. Similarly, the results were obtained based on an analytic reasoning. Also, the normative architectural hypothesis of the worship places aimed to prove its validity based on logical reasoning in order to reach a kind of semiotic typology for the Abrahamic worship places. In this respect, the worship places should be chosen synchronically. The most justifiable historical era for the present study seemed to be Safavid era in which minor religions had the privilege of relative freedom. With this aim in view, the most typical cases of each religious worship place were identified. For example, Mushe Haya Synagogue built in Safavid era is a noteworthy case. Major parts of the synagogue have been damaged and only the room of inscriptions, dating back to Safavid era, has survived. The damaged parts were restored in Qajar era. Another synagogue which could provide the researchers with characteristics challenging the proposed hypothesis was Mulah Neisan synagogue. It dates back to about 100 years ago. The Shah Mosque also known as Imam Mosque or Jaame Abbasi Mosque was another case intended for the study. Situated at the southern side of Naqsh-e-Jahan Square, was built between the years 1598 and 1629 under Shah Abbas. Construction of the mosque started in the 24th year of coronation and decorations and additions were completed during the Shah successors. By constructing the mosque, Shah Abbas intended to pay tribute to his grandfather. Vank Cathedral was constructed under Shah Abbas II in Julfa neighborhood, Isfahan. The Cathedral has functioned as a place to hold religious ceremonies, to instruct the priests and to communicate with other Armenians worldwide. The results indicated that churches were among the Similarity-beauty-based type which convey a strong sense of symbolism, intimacy and invitation. Also, in churches natural representations are highly respected, large-scale proportions are applied, high-quality materials are used and spatial variety and movement hierarchy are taken into consideration. A prime example of this is Vank Cathedral. Synagogues, in contrast, enjoy the incomparability-glory attribute. They covey the minimum sense of symbolism and natural representations are reflected only very softly. Proportions are realistic and no costly materials have been used. Spatial variety is also at minimum. Moshe Haya synagogue is a good example. Mosques, in terms of characteristics mentioned stand in-between and are, in fact, similarity-beauty/ incomparability-glory in character. Abbasi Gathering Mosque (masjid-e-Jame Abbasi) is the best example for this. In conclusion, it may be said that synagogues have the lowest inclination to luxury. In contrast, churches have the highest inclination to luxury. Also, worship places in Abrahamic religions have passed through a incomparability-to-beauty process. The best example of this can be seen in Mushe Haya and Mulah Neisan synagogues. Although the latter is more luxurious than the former, they are both less luxurious than Vank Cathedral and Jaame› Abbasi Mosque.

---

In Islamic standpoints, many issues are expressed about the beauty. When it comes to talk about beauty in Islam and the Holy Quran context, the first step towards creating perception and defining the criteria for beauty is perhaps attaining a logical and specific system of definition from the beauty concept in the so called context. By referring to the written texts in this field by philosophers, theoreticians, and Aestheticians, various definitions of beauty are attained that confuses the reader. Since sometimes the beauty is dignified in a way that it stands next to the God name and elsewhere is defined as the coordination of components in an object or it is considered to depend on the human perception whether is understood sensible or rational. This discrepancy in the levels of beauty definitions is such that finally the reader does not know where to find beauty. As a result, no specific criterion is achieved for the evaluation of beauty.
By studying the verses including the word “Hosn” and its derivatives, it is concluded that beauty and “Hosn” are explained at different levels in Quran verses. So the main issue of this article is the discrepancy in beauty definition levels in the Islamic context and the lack of a specific definition system in this field along with the ambiguity of the relationship between beauty and admiration with art in this standpoint.
The purpose of this article is to attain a specific definition system to organize the definitions of beauty upon which a criterion for beauty evaluation and suitable relationship between beauty and its admiration can be gained.
Methodology: For this purpose, the method of gathering the verses containing “Hosn” and its derivatives was implemented by considering verse-oriented meaning of the word derived by full inductive reasoning. Then the analysis method and classification of the verses based on the derived subjects were used to find the different levels of beauty. Finally, using the accordance of these levels with existing definitions in the field of beauty, the classification of the levels and then deriving the levels of “Tasdiq” or confirmation and beauty admiration were done.
Defining firm levels for the beauty and proving this hypothesis with full inductive reasoning from the Quranic verses and the correspondence of these levels with the definitions of beauty is presented for the first time as a novelty.  These levels are defined by gathering all the verses containing the word “Hosn” and its derivatives in the Holy Quran in a way that one can claim that no verse about “Hosn” exists unless it can be classified in these levels, and furthermore, all the levels also include some verses.
Results: By contemplation on the verses of the Holy Quran, it seems that five levels of “Hosn” exist. Based on these levels the concept of beauty also has levels. These levels enable us to classify the presented definitions of beauty by the experts in these five levels. In other words, wherever beauty is mentioned, the desired level could be specified and evaluated. Looking at “Hosn” at different levels, creates more accurate and more detailed insight which makes possible any theoretical and applied addressing of “Hosn” more functional and scientific. About the definition of “Hosn” and beauty in the Holy Quran according to the expressed levels, perhaps it can be mentioned that:
1st level: Existential emanation of “Hosn” at “Asma-ol-Hosna”.
2nd level: Emanation of “Hosn” and beauty in creatures and creations.
3rd level: Comprehension, recognition, and perception of “Hosn” and beauty with human Fitrah or premordial human nature.
4th level: Freewill human expressions from “Hosn” and beauty in behavior, actions, and speech.
5th level: The effects of “Hosn” and beauty in the destiny and the consequences of the human deeds.
Also some levels of “Tasdiq” or confirmation and beauty admiration could be expressed based on the beauty levels:
“Tasdiq” or confirmation of the existentiality of “Hosn” and Admiration of the entity.
“Tasdiq” or confirmation of the manifested “Hosn” in the existent and the well admiration of “Hosn” manifestation.
“Tasdiq” or confirmation of the wellness of “Hosn” and admiration of “Hosn” perception.
“Tasdiq” or confirmation of the wellness of good deeds and admiration of “Hosn” expression in the humankind.
“Tasdiq” or confirmation of the wellness of the good destiny and Admiration of the effectiveness and fruitfulness of “Hosn”
The levels of “Hosn” and admiration of the beauty in the art can have practical aspects; such that the artist can reflect the desired level of beauty in his artwork according to the audience needs. Also the critics of artworks can have more accurate evaluation by implementing the levels of “Hosn” as one of the fundamentals of evaluation. Besides, the cultural directors of a society by acquiring the knowledge of “Hosn” and beauty levels along with considering the needs and the growth of specific audiences can take more accurate actions towards choosing artworks for displaying to the audience based on the guidance and nurturing capability of art with Quranic fundamentals.