The Form and Symbolism of Minbar Architecture in The Malay World Mohd Sabrizaa B Abd Rashid Azizul Azli B Ahmad MARA University of Technology Seri Iskandar Campus, Malaysia [email protected]Abstract The development of Islamic art and architecture in the Malay world were closely related to its historical and cultural background. The pre-Islamic period of animism and Hindu-Buddhism until the rise of Islamic Kingdom in 13 th century moulded the Malay world-view in developing its own culture and tradition. The transition of mind, thought and believes lead to an interesting art and architectural transformation and evolution. This article discuss and analyse the physical and spiritual aspects of minbar architecture in the Malay world. The study comprised of the historical background of the Islamic advent in the region. The formation of minbar design and its typology in the Malay world and its variety interpretations throughout the region became the main focus of discussion. Keywords : Minbar, Malay World, Islamic Architecture 1.0 Introduction : Definitions and Background As define by Wikipedia A minbar (Arabic: ,ربنمalso spelt mimbar) is a pulpit in the mosque where the Imam (leader of prayer) stands to deliver sermons (khutbah هبطخ). The Consise Oxford Dictionary (Ninth Edition) define “minbar” as a stepped platform for preaching in a mosque. A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. (2006) by Oxford University Press define “minbar” as Type of pulpit in a mosque, usually at the top of a flight of steps, consisting of a small standing-space with a parapet enclosing it and with a canopy above. Perhaps the decription of minbar by Frishman (2002:35) is more elaborate : The minbar or pulpit, is always positioned to the right of the mihrab and consists of a staircase of varying height, with or without handrails, leading to a small platform which is often crowned by a cupola-type roof, usually in some attractive shape.
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Although minbar is a main feature in a present mosque, historically it started with a simple three
steps platform during the beginning of Islam in Medina. Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam
initially delivered the khutbah leaning on a palm tree trunk which was positioned near the original
Mihrab. During the eighth year after hijra, when the number of Sahabah had greatly increased,
and it was difficult for the assembled crowd to see and hear the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu
alaihi wasallam, it was suggested that a new raised Minbar be constructed. As mentioned earlier,
a new three steps platform was constructed and placed in the masjid.1 Rasulullah SallAllahu
alaihi wasallam used to sit on the third step, placing his feet on the second step. Later, Abu Bakr
As-Siddiq RadhiAllahu anhu, would sit on the second step, placing his feet on the first step, and
then „Umar ibn Khattab RadhiAllahu anhu would sit on the first step, placing his feet on the
ground. For six years Caliph Uthman RadhiAllahu anhu followed the habit of „Umar
RadhiAllahu anhu, but then began to deliver the khutbah from the third rung as did Rasulullah
SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.
The existence of minbar recorded a few important history in Masjid Nabawi in Medina. 2
During the lifes of the prophet, SallAllahu alaihi wasallam used to said, “What is between my
house and my minbar is a meadow of the meadows of Jannah, and my minbar is on my pool” .
Another hadis narated by Salama; “The distance between the wall of the mosque and the pulpit
was hardly enough for a sheep to pass through”. (Sahih Al Bukhari, Vol. IX, p.321).
After a few replacement due to deterioration and fire destruction, the present minbar of
Masjid Nabawi was built and sent by Sultan Murad bin Saleem of the Ottoman empire in 997
A.H. It is made of an expensive marble with gold decorations. A dome sits on marble columns
creating an elongated appearance. There are twelve steps, three which are outside the door, with
nine inside.3
Minbar is considered one of the architectural element which existed since the building up
of Masjid Nabawi in Madinah in 622. Compared to other architectural elements such as minarets,
mihrab and dome; minbar was known earlier in the Islamic culture. Originally it serves not only
for a place for the preacher to stand but also as a throne or judgement seat for prophet
Muhammad (may peace be upon him) and the caliphs, who political as well as religious leaders
for the community. From the minbar important decision were announced apart from the Friday
sermons are given. The minbar became an absolutely necessary attribute of the head of the
1 Narrated Abu Hazim : Sahl bin Sa‟d was asked about the (Prophets) pulpit as to what thing it was made
of? Sahl replied : “None remains alive amongst the people, who knows about it better than I. It was made
of tamarisk (wood) of the forest. So and so, the slave of so and so prepared it for Allah‟s Apostle (may
peace be upon him). When it was constructed and placed (in the mosque), Allah Apostle (may peace be
upon him), stood on it facing Qibla and said „Allahu Akhbar‟ , and the people stood behind him (and led
the people in prayer. He recited and bowed and the people bowed behind him................So, this is what I
knowaou the pulpom;. (Sahih Al B ukhary, vol. III, p. 174) 2 Masjid Quba‟ is considered as the first mosque of Islam, but it is the prophet mosque (Masjid Nabawi) in
Medina is the most renowned mosque in the Islamic history. The Masjid measured 35x30m supported by
sixty four date-palm trunks. From how we see the Masjid today, the original one included the Rowdha, plus
two rows of pillars on the western side and two rows on the northern side. And Nafi‟ RadhiAllahu anhu
said that Abdullah bin Umar RadhiAllahu anhu told him that in the time of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi
wassalam, the Masjid was built from date-palm branches and its pillars were the trunks of the date-palm
trees. 3 The richly ornamented door has the following written above it:
“Sultan Murad bin Saleem sent this to be rewarded on the Day of Judgement. May his kingdom be high
forever. The best of cities be under his peaceful control. For the Garden of Prophet Muhammad SallAllahu
alaihi wasallam. May Allah Subhanahu wa Ta‟ala‟s Graces and Honours be bestowed upon him since all
people received guidance through him. This pulpit is built with full sincerity to seek guidance and blessing.
May much guidance be imparted from the top of this pulpit to thise who seek this guidance. Sa‟ad
composed these verses and the pulpit was made by Sultan Murad in 997 A.H.”
Islamic state. It was stated that the first Umayyid caliph Mu‟awiya 1 took his specially made
minbar with him when he travelled to Mecca. (Prochazka 1986:34).
During the next development of Islamic art and achitecture when mihrab was later
introduced, minbar was located in the right-hand side of it. High minbars and more steps were
introduced by „Amr ibn al-As, the conquerer and first Islamic governor of Egypt. Most of the
minbars are usually made of wooden in a form of straight flight steps.
Minbar of Masjidil Haram in Mecca also had gone through its own historical
development.
This minbar was produced by SL-Rasch GmbH for the Kaa‟ba courtyard in the Masjid
Al-Haram, Mecca. This minbar is mechanized so that it can be driven out of the courtyard during
Hajj. The Kaa‟ba Minbar is produced from white marble. The floral ornament was hand carved
by the finest Muslim stone workers in Ajmir, India. The floral ornament is in the same pan-
Islamic style as developed by Jay Bonner for the Sliding Domes at the Prophet‟s Mosque in
Medina. The floral panels in the Kaa‟ba Minbar are of two types: high relief, and pierced. The
high relief panels include inlaid semi-precious turquoise stones. The floral elements in the pierced
panels are composed so that they have maximum contact with one another; thus providing
structural security to each pierced panel.
All ornamental design by Jay Bonner for SL-Rasch GmbH, Germany, 2002.4
4 From the website www.bonner-design.com/projects/minbar.htm
Figure 1
Old photographs of minbar in Masjidil Haram in Mecca. Both are straight flight steps; one is without
roof (left) and the other is with minaret-like roof.
2.0 Islam in The Malay World
The Malay Peninsula and its archipelago, geographically located between the two major ancient
Chinese and Indian civilisations. For centuries it become the main trade route of the Eastern and
Western world which developed many major South-East Asian political, commercial and cultural
center. The region were unified under few earliest Malay Kingdom of Funan and Langkasuka in
Malay Peninsula, Sriwijaya in Sumatera, Majapahit of Java and Sultanate of Malacca. The Malay
world were continuosly enriched by Indian, Chinese, Arab and European elements.
Islam spread throughout South-East Asia through two different main trading routes. First
was through China. The Silk Road connection and later during the voyages of admiral Zhenghe of
Ming‟s Dynasty in the 15th century from southern China to the Malay archipelago including
Malacca and Java. The second was through India and Arab by the Gujaratees traders via east
coast of Sumatera and west coast of Malay Peninsula before proceeded to Java and other main
island in the Malay archipelago.
Figure 2
Present day minbar of Masjidil Haram in Mecca (left) and minbar of Masjid Nabawi in Medina (right).
3.0 Vernacular Mosque Architecture In Malaysia and The Malay World
According to Frisman (2002:13) in mosque architecture there are five basic category of
mosque design occur in seven distintive regional styles :
1. The Arabian heartland, Spain and North Africa ; hypostyle hall and open couryard.
2. Sub-Saharan West Africa : the hypostyle hall using mud-brick or rammed earth
construction.
3. Iran and Central Asia : the bi-axial four iwan type.
4. The Indian subcontinent : triple domes and an extensive courtyard.
5. Anatolia : use of massive central dome
6. China : detached pavilions within a walled garden enclosure
7. South-East Asia : central pyramidal roof construction.
Central pyramidal roof construction are the main characteristics of early timber mosques
in South-East Asia. The four main columns support the uppermost roof, separating it from the
double-layered outer roof usually by timber louvres which admit light and ventilation to the
central interior space of the main praying hall.
In discussing the typology of Mosque architecture in the Malaysia, Tajuddin Rasdi
(2006) classified mosque according to influence and styles. He divides mosque architecture in
Malaysia into seven styles:
1. Traditional vernacular style – represent idea and practices of mosques before
colonialsm in Malaysia. Pyramidal roof. Timber post and beam construction