The architecture of Iranian mosques reflects the continuity of thought throughout historical periods, representing both unity and distinction, while also serving as evidence of the struggle to preserve and enhance cultural and religious identity. From the perspective of scholars, the architectural function of mosques is integrated with elements and components that display unity, even though mosques may exhibit contradictions from a physical standpoint. The Kaboud Mosque in Tabriz and Sheikh Lutfullah Mosque in Isfahan, as masterpieces of religious architecture, share a common foundational idea despite their apparent differences.
Thus, the present research assumes religious thought as a common language in religious architecture and aims to answer the main question: “To what extent does the representation of thought in the common language of the Kaboud Mosque in Tabriz and Sheikh Lutfullah Mosque in Isfahan reflect the views of scholars?” Acknowledging the conflicting theoretical foundations of thinkers such as Titus Burkhardt and Oleg Grabar in mosque architecture, this study investigates the architecture of the Kaboud Mosque and Sheikh Lutfullah Mosque in the formation of a common architectural language.
The research employs a qualitative approach through analytical-descriptive methods, focusing on the validity of themes from scholarly articles emphasizing the ideas of Titus Burkhardt and Oleg Grabar from 2006 to 2023. Using a meta-synthesis approach, 9 out of 53 articles were selected based on the CASP methodology, along with interviews with 10 experts, professors, and informants in the field of religious architectural thought. A total of 231 references were identified using MAXQDA software, categorized under 17 organizing themes and 2 overarching themes related to the common language of thought in religious architecture.
The results indicate that the architecture of mosques across periods is influenced by profound ideas that manifest in their form and structure. Thus, the common language of architecture in mosques is shaped by shared religious thought underlying fundamental architectural factors, despite apparent contradictions, reflecting the transition from the material to the spiritual realm in the intersection of construction and reading.
