This article marks the outset of a comprehensive series dedicated to evaluating architectural works in Iran and across the world through the lens of Islamic principles, with the ultimate objective of producing a scholarly book on the subject matter. Specifically, the initial phase of this article delves into the influence of cultural deviations on the architectural design of temples and places of worship from an Islamic perspective. The discourse commences with an introduction encompassing the categorization of divine and non-divine architectural schools, followed by an exploration of the reasons and justifications for evaluating architectural works worldwide within the framework of Islamic culture. In addition, the concept of prayer, characterized by its authenticity, formative nature, evolutionary potential, and optional aspects, is expounded upon to establish criteria for identifying suitable and preferred locations for prayer. Subsequently, the article examines various profound elements within architecture, including spatial and geometric concepts, appropriate and inappropriate embellishments, semantic and symbolic styles, as well as the integration of shrines within cultural and climatic contexts. To substantiate these principles, the evaluation extends to authentic mosques from Iran's Islamic era, featuring notable examples such as the transformation of the four-arch fire temple into the Izadkhast Mosque, the Jame'a Mosque of Isfahan, and the Imam Mosque of Isfahan. Additionally, non-authentic and heretical mosques before and after the Islamic Revolution in Iran are assessed, with notable cases including the Al-Javad Mosque, University of Tehran Mosque, Al-Ghadir Mosque, Tehran Carpet Museum Prayer Hall, Valiasr Mosque in the south of Daneshjoo Park (both its old and new designs), and the Imam Khomeini Mosalla. Employing a holistic and comprehensive research methodology anchored in Islamic sources and foundations, this study adopts a combined qualitative and quantitative approach, considering the causal relationship between ideas and phenomena. The infallible sources of this research are the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Infallible Prophets, while fallible sources encompass individual reasoning and the consensus of experts. The validity of rational propositions is substantiated through logical reasoning, while narrative propositions are supported through the interpretation of authentic sources. The findings of this research unequivocally demonstrate how belief systems and cultural deviations exert unfavorable and inappropriate effects on the religious practices, behavior, and rituals of worshipers, ultimately impacting the intricate and overarching structure of prayer halls.
