The Role of Geometry in Defining the System of Proportions : Great Mosques of Cordoba and Damascus

Post-World War I, an enormous transformation impacted the build environment physicality on Islamic lands and reshaped its urban natural development. The transformation depleted fundamental Islamic art and architecture notions and principals, and contemporary lacked the Hikma (wisdom) to meet modernization challenges and maintain cultural identity. Rather than following a "copy the past" approach to bridge the gap between past and present, one should take initiative and analyse the architecture of Islam to reveal the governing principals that created the magnificent Mosques. The thesis will include various research methodologies: a descriptive approach starting with a literature review of information concerning sacred geometry, a historical approach to be conducted through understanding historical events of the case studies, following an exploratory approach of the application of geometry upon historical Mosques using the blueprints. Geometrical analysis conducted by analysing of major spaces using CAD to reveal the mystical proportions and geometrical patterns. Geometry is not only a proportion tool, but it is the language of the order of natural existence in which the Divine created the universe, and in which mankind is part of this existence. We neither see ourselves apart from nature, nor do we observe nature, because we are nature. Geometry is within our being, therefore whatever we design, and build has to conform with the order of nature. The Great Mosque of Damascus and the Great Mosque of Cordoba have been chosen for geometrical analysis and space structure to reveal the mystical proportions and geometrical patterns used by the master builder. Critical and strict geometric analysis is conducted examining the edifices blueprints for the Mosques parts.

Several conclusions can be drawn from the role of geometry in spatial design of the two Mosques. The concept of Unity and Geometrical Rectangle ratios characterized both mosques. Once proportion laws were revealed, the Golden Ratio was evident at the Great Mosque of Damascus. Ratios of roots 2, 3 4 and 5 varied in the Great Mosque of Cordoba during all enlargements. Geometry at these mosques expressed a message of a higher order that allows us to understand harmony by placing humans into the context of principal order, beauty, truth, and the sense of consciousness.