THE ?ABB?SIDS AND THE ARCHITECTURAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROPHET'S MOSQUE: THE CONSEQUENCES OF A POLITICAL DISINTEGRATION

Abstract

This article discusses the contributions of the ?Abbasid caliphs to thearchitectural development of the Prophet's Mosque in Medina. Sincethe protracted ?Abbasid rule went through several precarious phases,it was frequently marred by acute religious and socio-politicaldisorders and turbulences, so much so that its mere existence wasoccasionally threatened. The history and architectural development ofthe Prophet's Mosque was not immune to such conditions. Itsarchitectural integrity and predisposition, and overall functioning as acommunity development center, were now and then at risk. Thus,this article focuses on discussing the consequences and implicationsof a political disintegration during the ?Abbasid era for thearchitectural development and serviceability of the Mosque. Thepaper concludes that the ?Abbasid contributions to the architecturaldevelopment of the Mosque were reasonable; however, there was abig room for improvement. The reasons for certain conceptual as wellas functional inadequacies were not as much attributable to the?Abbasids as to the prevalent circumstances in the state thateventually incapacitated the ?Abbasid government from performing itsentrusted duties and responsibilities.