Sheik Abdul-Maleks Mosque (Abu Qubba) [Archives:2000/48/Culture]

Ridhwan Al-Saqqaf
Aden Bureau Chief
Mysticism is one of the Islamic creeds but mostly different in terms of its rituals and visits to the holy shrines. In Yemen there are many sophism mosques. Mysticism spread in the Islamic world in the reign of Ummayad and prospered in all the Islamic states during the Abbassid reign.
The Mysticism doctrines, flourished in schools like Al-Refaiya, Al-Naqshabandia, Al-Gailania and others in Yemen which was the biggest state in both the Ummayad and Abbassid Caliphates. It established special places for itself which later grew into buildings. Without any fear of exaggerate we can say that Yemen is full of mystic bright-white graves extending from Aden to Lahj and Taiz on the hills and in valleys. Sheik Abdul-Malek Mosque (Abu Qubba) in Al-Rahida is a live example of the special features mysticism 500 years ago. A religious man grieved in an uninhabited place there. The Sheik Abdul-Malek Ibn Marwan built his place of prayer in a place that was full of trees and pure water known as Al-Rahida. With the lapse of time news about him spread and many people came to him for advice and instructions about their religion and life. He also taught people the Holy Koran.
Architecture of Mysticism Like most of the mosques of a Mysticism, the Sheiks mosque is square structure13 meters long with four domes that replaced the ceiling and built on the outer pillars of the mosque. The mosque has two doors, one is to the east and the main door is to the west. In the center of the mosque there is a big rectangular pillar upon which extend four wide arches. In the mosque there is a simple prayer niche with a simple cavity. Over the walls of the niche there are small windows for light and ventilation. In the wall of the niche there are five old rectangular windows. To the west of the mosque there is Sheik Abdul-Maleks grave which is a small tomb. Outside the mosque to the east there is a pool for ablution. The pool is surrounded by middle-sized stones. Above the outer walls of the mosque there are some extremely beautiful chiseling and designs that add more originality and beauty to the mosque. It is a vivid picture of the superb architecture of mysticism.


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