A descriptive study of the mosques of Tripoli in the eighth and ninth .centuries Hijri through the journey of Al-Tijani

Abstract

This study discusses a description of the mosques of Tripoli in the eighth and ninth centuries AH through the journey of Al-Tijani . As we know, mosques are closely linked to the history of education in Islamic society, serving as the primary center for the dissemination of Islamic culture. Many mosques were established in Tripoli, some during the early Islamic period, others during the Fatimid era, and some during the Almoravid, Almohad, and Hafsid periods, while some have disappeared due to various factors . The old mosques were characterized by the sound of flowing water, a phenomenon unique to Islamic mosques. There is a spacious room in one corner of the mosque, covered with carpets, used by scholars to teach students . Many mosques spread throughout Tripoli have retained the old names mentioned by writers in their texts, especially those noted by Al-Tijani in his famous journey to the region of Tripoli in the Hafsid era between (1306 - 1308). Some of these mosques include: the Mosque of Siqati, the Mosque of the Camel, the Great Mosque of Tripoli, Al-Shi'ab, and Al-Khrouba. One of the characteristics of these mosques is that they are not equipped with minarets in the conventional form, but most of them have stairs, reflecting the simplicity that resembles the Mosque of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in Medina . This study is divided into three main sections and a conclusion, structured as follows : Section One: Introduction to Al-Tijani, the author of the journey . Section Two: The role of mosques in serving education and spreading Islamic culture through the observations of the traveler . Section Three: A study of the most famous mosques in Tripoli during the time of Al-Tijani.