Al-Azhar is a momentous mosque, whose foundation was laid by gohar Al-Siqilli, the army commander of Al- Mu'iz Lidinallah, the Fatimid.
With the passage of ages, the Mosque became a university for religious, Arabic and metaphysical sciences.
Al-Azhar ( in Arabic: the most flourished and shining) was so called either because it was surrounded by great glittering places, or as a hopeful disposition, or after the name of Sayeda Fatima Al-Zahra', daughter of the Prophet Mohammed may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him, following the conqueror's usage of ascribing themselves to her .
Studies. began in Al-Azhar in Ramadan, 365,A.R., October,975,A.D., when Chief Justice Abul Hasan Ali ibn Al-No'man started teaching the book "Al-Ikhtisar".
Later, and with the passage of time, the studies advanced further and varied in subject, comprising the four schools of Islamic Creed.
It is worth mentioning that all the theoretical sciences were taught at Al-Azhar in the olden times, and the Muslim woman had attended the tuition circles that were held at the Mosque.
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Al Azhar mosque In the fatemian age, it had five mihrabs on a vertical line towards the Kiblah and three on the right and left of it. The mosque had three doors, and on the western entrance exists a minaret. Four years passed until Khalif Al Azeez Bellah ordered reparing the mosque. |
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During this age,the
archticture and ornamentation of the mosque kept their origional beauty.
Then hundered years passed which were the worst in the mosque history, from 565 to 666,for Sultan AL-aioby ordered canceling praying on fridays because they were praying in Al HAKEM MOSQUE. The most important repairs done to the mosque were in the Turkish age. Then a list of repairs happend on the mosque during the reached the utmost of beauty and elegance in its design and formation. |
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