---
title: Minaret
author: Fatema AlSulaiti
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Minaret/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Minaret

_Authored by [Fatema AlSulaiti](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/fatemaalsulaiti@moqarnasat.com/)_

A minaret is a feature of Islamic [architecture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/architecture/) and is the place from where the call to prayer is sent out. They are also known as a *manār* or *manāra* in Arabic, meaning place of fire or light (*nar* or *nur*). According to scholars, the expression *manāra* was adapted from the Aramaic language, which when translated means “candlestick”. Another literal Arabic connotation for minaret is *Sawma'a* -'cloister' or 'cell'- a spiritual reference to the shining light of the lamp in the cloister. The less-often used Arabic phrase *mi'dhana* more appropriately conveys the purpose of the minaret.

The minaret then, is a tall, slender tower that is a significant feature of every mosque, and is one of the earliest characteristics of Islamic architecture. It is surrounded by one or more projecting galleries from where the muezzin, the person who chants the call for prayer, announces the prayer to worshippers in the Muslim community. The practice of the call for prayer or *adhan* became a customary part of religious rituals in the second year of the Hijra (623-24 CE).

Scholarly findings trace the origin of the construction of minarets to the [Umayyad](https://www.worldhistory.org/Umayyad_Dynasty/) epoch and offer the explanation that these minarets were a copy of church steeples found in [Syria](https://www.worldhistory.org/syria/) in those times. Nevertheless, other references suggest that these towers in Syria originated from the ziggurats of Babylonian and Assyrian shrines of [Mesopotamia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mesopotamia/). Yet another description associates the *manāra* to the function of a 'light house', guiding travellers.

In his article on the origins of the minaret, K.A.C. Creswell elucidates that the four *Ṣawāmi* constructed on the roof of the Umayyad mosque in Fustat were the earliest minarets to be built. Creswel cites the Umayyad mosque in Damascus, constructed with four squat towers in each corner, as the earliest of pre-Islamic temples which used such towers to call for prayer. He, therefore, suggests the minaret was inspired by a Damascan prototype and named *Sawma'a* due to its stocky appearance and similarity to the hermit cube.

Despite the fact that minarets were not a familiar facet of the earliest mosques, these towers very soon adorned the skylines of Muslim [cities](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) and became synonymous with Muslim shrines, and every region developed their own signature styles. The construction of minarets was greatly influenced by the region's society, [culture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/culture/) and context which determined their shape, size and form.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## Bibliography

- Bloom, J. *Minaret Symbol of Islam.* Oxford, 1989
- Creswell, K.A.C. "The Evolution of the Minaret, with Special Reference to Egypt." *Burlington Magazine*, 1986, p. 48.

## Cite This Work

### APA
AlSulaiti, F. (2013, February 06). Minaret. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/Minaret/>
### Chicago
AlSulaiti, Fatema. "Minaret." *World History Encyclopedia*, February 06, 2013. <https://www.worldhistory.org/Minaret/>.
### MLA
AlSulaiti, Fatema. "Minaret." *World History Encyclopedia*, 06 Feb 2013, <https://www.worldhistory.org/Minaret/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Fatema AlSulaiti](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/fatemaalsulaiti@moqarnasat.com/ "User Page: Fatema AlSulaiti"), published on 06 February 2013. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.