Mosque Name: Bibi Samarkand
Country: Uzbekistan
City: Samarkand
Year of construction (AD): unknown
GPS: 39°39’38.39”N 66°58’49.57”E
ArchNet: http://archnet.org/authorities/3928/sites/2464
Original Qibla: Petra
Rebuilt facing Mecca: never
For a Link to the Qibla Tool Click Here
Description:
The Bibi Khanum Mosque is in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. An original mosque was probably built on this location by Arab traders traveling along the Silk Route, or by the first muslim armies in the area. No ecord exists of the first mosque on this structure.
However, in 1399 CE, Timur (historically known as Tamerlane) decided to undertake the construction of a gigantic mosque in his new capital, Samarkand. The mosque was built using wealth looted during his conquest of India. When Timur had returned from his military campaign in 1404 the mosque was almost completed. However Timur was not happy with the progress of construction, therefore he had immediately made various changes, especially concerning the main cupola. From the beginning of the construction, problems of statistical regularity of the structure revealed themselves. Various reconstructions and reinforcements were undertaken in order to save the mosque. However, after few years the first bricks had begun to fall out of the huge dome over the mihrab. It forced Timur to retaliate often beyond the structural rules. His builders were certainly aware of that, however he didn’t want to accept their opinion and reality.
An old photo of the old mosque ruins.
In the 15th century it was one of the largest and most magnificent mosques in the Islamic world. By the mid-20th century only a grandiose ruin of it still survived, but now major parts of the mosque have been restored. Only four large fragments and a minaret survive from this large mosque.
Even though it is now in a ruinous state, we can still determine that the qibla did not face Mecca. The locals acknowledge this anomaly and have a quaint legend stating that the Hanafi who used the mosque prayed due west, and the Shafi’i who used the same mosque prayed due south. In the end they agreed on a qibla between the two. Since the mosque’s qibla faces Petra, it is more plausible that the mosque was built on the site of an earlier mosque whose qibla already faced Petra
The Bibi Samarkand Qibla
Page Discussion
Membership is required to comment. Membership is free of charge and available to everyone over the age of 16. Just click SignUp, or make a comment below. You will need a user name and a password. The system will automatically send a code to your email address. It should arrive in a few minutes. Enter the code, and you are finished.
Members who post adverts or use inappropriate language or make disrespectful comments will have their membership removed and be barred from the site. By becoming a member you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy, Cookies & Ad Policies. Remember that we will never, under any circumstances, sell or give your email address or private information to anyone unless required by law. Please keep your comments on topic. Thanks!