Fahraj Mosque: A Structure from the Early Years of the Rise of Islam

The culture of the people of Yazd is deeply rooted in the ancient history of the city. Over the centuries, the people of Yazd have adapted to their geography and environment, showcasing a way of life that exemplifies the harmony and coexistence between humans and nature. Alongside this, one of the prominent aspects of Yazd’s culture is its religious beliefs. These beliefs hold a significant place in the lives of its people and have become one of the cornerstones of their historical memory. Among the many historical landmarks of Yazd, many are intertwined with the religious beliefs of its people, such as the Fahraj Mosque, which is approximately 1400 years old.

Fahraj is located 25 kilometers southeast of Yazd, and to reach it, one must travel about 17 kilometers on the Yazd-Bafq highway.

History of Fahraj mosque

This mosque, also known as the Imam Hassan (AS) Mosque, dates back to the early Islamic period and is located in a village called Fahraj. According to historians, the original structure of the mosque predates the arrival of Islam in Iran (7th century CE) and was likely converted into a mosque after the advent of Islam. Therefore, the construction of the mosque can be attributed to the first half of the 1st century AH (late 7th century CE). As a result, some experts consider this mosque to be older than the Tarikhaneh Mosque in Damghan and the oldest mosque in Iran.

Features of the Fahraj Mosque
The Fahraj Mosque is the only mosque in the world whose structure, with such ancient origins, has not undergone any changes and has preserved its original form throughout the centuries. This mosque has maintained its religious function for conducting ceremonies and is still used for prayers to this day.

Architecture of the Fahraj Mosque
Unlike many later mosques built in Iran, the Fahraj Mosque does not feature iwans or domes. Additionally, there is no tilework or decorative inscriptions on the mudbrick walls of the mosque. The mosque’s facade is constructed with simple mudbrick, giving it a modest and unadorned appearance. At first glance, it evokes the simple and unpretentious life of the desert dwellers.

The mosque consists of several key sections: the central courtyard, the entrance, the minaret, and two prayer halls (shabestans). One of these prayer halls is considered the main hall, while the other is used during the winter.

the interior of Fahraj Mosque

The architectural style of the building can be considered similar to the Arabian architecture, which, given the time of its construction, seems a natural choice. However, elements of ancient Iranian architecture, such as large mudbrick bricks, oval corner designs, and vaulted arches, commonly found in Sassanid-era buildings, are also present in the structure.

Main Prayer Hall of the Mosque
The prayer hall forms a portico surrounding the central courtyard, with a ceiling higher than in other parts of the mosque. The courtyard is laid out so that the northern section is wider than the southern, resulting in a non-uniform square plan for the prayer hall.

Among the three bays of the prayer hall, the central bay is the largest. The arches are embedded in an elliptical shape, and the ornamented stucco work (gach-bari) is employed there. In the stucco, vine-like patterns reminiscent of the designs seen at the Kaʿba Palace in Ctesiphon appear. Iranian architects of that era built the main prayer hall so that its apex faced the qibla, and due to the presence of a mihrab at the center of the building, the central bay was made larger. The mosque’s columns have a rectangular form. In the four corners of each column, a smaller column is used for decoration. This decorative feature of the columns has led to debates about whether the mosque was built in the first or second century AH, because in the first century the columns were entirely plain and lacked such embellishments.

The Mihrab of Fahraj Mosque: A Stucco Masterpiece

There are two mihrabs in this mosque. The main mihrab, made of stucco, measures 2.32 by 3.24 meters. This mihrab is located in the central bay of the main prayer hall. The second, smaller mihrab is situated to the west of the first mihrab.

The Subordinate Prayer Hall and Minaret of Fahraj Mosque

A smaller prayer hall, located in the southwest corner of the Fahraj Mosque, was specifically designed for use during the winter months. The rectangular shape of this hall, along with the size of the bricks used and the differences in its roofing construction, suggests that it was likely built after the mosque's original establishment. The materials employed in this prayer hall are consistent with those used in the mosque’s minaret, indicating that both structures were probably constructed around the same time, most likely in the 4th or 5th century AH (10th or 11th century CE). Adjacent to the cylindrical minaret are several rooms, though their exact function remains unclear.
The Portico of Fahraj Mosque

The portico of Fahraj Mosque is situated opposite the main prayer hall and features four bays with vaulted arches. Directly across from these arches are three bays of the prayer hall, although symmetry was not strictly adhered to in its design. The ceiling of the northern portico is adorned with semi-domes, which, combined with elliptical corners, create a unique and striking aesthetic.

"Fahraj Mosque portico"

Fahraj Mosque’s entrance

There are three separate entrances to the Fahraj Mosque. Currently, the southwestern entrance is used to access the mosque, while the two eastern entrances are blocked.

mosque decorations

In general, the Fahraj Mosque lacks decorative features, but in various parts of the mosque, there are three plaster designs that resemble each other. One of these is the play of light on the arch of a small mihrab, and another consists of several fins above the main mihrab. A similar design can also be found below the arch on the southern wall of the prayer hall. Before the study of the Fahraj Mosque, experts had believed that the use of plaster designs was related to periods after the 10th and 11th centuries CE. However, since the mosque dates back to before these years, the plaster designs are also of an older origin.

National Registration of Fahraj Mosque
The Fahraj Mosque was registered as a national heritage site in 1970 (1350 in the Iranian calendar).