iklil for Humanity Studies

This research showed the impact of mosques on intellectual and cultural life in Yemen during the era of the Sulayhid state (439-532 AH), as these holy places were considered centers of education and intellectual discussions that had a profound impact on Yemeni society.
The beginning of the emergence and development of mosques in Yemen occurred in the first century AH as places for performing religious rituals and learning Islamic sciences. Then the mosques flourished during the Middle Ages, when they became centers of thought and culture and attracted scholars and learners from various parts of Yemen. The mosques witnessed the holding of seminars and literary discussions that strengthened Yemeni culture.
The curricula in the mosques were distinguished by their diversity. They included the study of Islamic doctrine, jurisprudence, interpretation, and philosophy. Mosques were also a forum for stimulating intellectual discussions on social, political, and religious issues. These discussions in the mosques promoted intellectual tolerance and the exchange of opinions. Mosques also had an impact on several aspects of politics, as mosques were used as platforms. To express political positions and intellectual movements, mosques also formed a fertile environment for the emergence of different political ideas and currents. As for the impact of mosques on the cultural side, mosques contributed to spreading science and culture among members of Yemeni society. They are also considered a forum for interconnection and social interaction between members of society. Mosques also contributed to preserving Yemeni cultural identity and heritage

The research dealt with mosques in the Islamic East (Khorasan and Transoxiana) through the book “The Image of the Earth” by Ibn Hawqal, as he was familiar with the geographers who preceded him, and by virtue of his profession as a merchant that required frequent movement from one country to another, he used to travel to all parts of the earth and loved to see for himself what he read in books and verify the accuracy of the information. He wrote his book in the fourth century AH, which witnessed a broad scientific movement in which sciences flourished, including the science of countries, as the books of geographers appeared to meet the needs of the state in knowing the roads to organize the affairs of the country and knowing the roads leading to Mecca and knowing the caravan stations, as he showed us the passable roads and the difficult roads. He also wanted to show us the extent of the spread of the Islamic religion in the East (Khorasan and Transoxiana) through his description of the location of mosques in the countries to which he traveled and the extent of Muslims’ adherence to their religion and their commitment to performing the duties. He explained to us the strength of Islam in these countries despite the few The number of Muslims in it.