Minbar

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about the type of pulpit. For the Bahraini political organizations, see Al Menbar. For the fictional planet from the Babylon 5 setting, see Minbar (planet).

Not to be confused with minibar.

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Minbar in the Ortaköy mosque in Istanbul.

A minbar (Arabic: منبر, also spelt mimbar) is a pulpit in the mosque where the Imam (leader of prayer) stands to deliver sermons (khutbah خطبه ). While minbars are usually more akin to pulpits in elevation and structures they have a function and position more similar to that of a lectern, emphasizing contact with the audience.^{[original research?]} The minbar is usually shaped like a small tower with a pointed roof and stairs leading up to it. It is often richly ornamented, though in its simplest form the minbar is just a small platform with only a few steps. The minbar is located to the right of the mihrab, the niche that indicates the direction of prayer (i.e. towards Mecca).

In some mosques there is a platform (müezzin mahfili in Turkish) opposite the minbar. That is the place where the assistant of the Imam, the muezzin, stands during prayer. The muezzin recites the answer to the prayer of the Imam. This feature is the Islamic equivalent of the pulpit found in Christian churches.^{[original research?]}

The Imam stands on the minbar to give his Friday sermons (khutbahs) as well as those he gives on the two Eids. Being raised above the ground allows the Imam to see all the worshippers in case of a large crowd. And he should stand on the top step of the minbar following the example of Muhammad. The minbar often represents the minarets^[clarify].