Resilience and Revival; The Legacy of Bibi-Heybat Mosque
Azerbaijan has a great influence on Shia Islam, one of the most prominent “Shia Ziyarat” in Baku”, is the mosque of “Bibi-Heybat” which is locally known as “Mosque of Fatima” because of her relation with Hazrat Fatima Bint E Muhammad (R.A).
The mosque was built in the 13th century by Shirvanshah Farukhzad II ibn Ahsitan II, the mosque was declining due to lack of care in recent years but in 1936, the Bolsheviks destroyed this mosque completely. When the USSR gained power in 1920 in the region, the Bolsheviks started their activities against religion. After getting independence in 1994, the president of the state, Heydar Aliyev decided to construct a new building at the same place where the previous one was. The new mosque was inaugurated in May 1999. The mosque was reconstructed in 2005, and new prayer halls were constructed to ensure the convenience of pilgrims.
Bibi Heybat Mosque was built on the tomb of the daughter of 7th Imam Musa-al-Kadhim, who went to Baku after the destruction of the Abbasid Caliphate. The real name of Bibi Heybat was Ukeyma Khanum. Some stones are carved on the tomb, these carved stones indicate that Bibi belonged to the sacred family. 8th Imam Raza was the brother of Bibi Heybat who had a great shrine in Mashad, Iran.
The Mosuqe has one prayer hall and four rooms, in one main room Bibi Heybat is buried and in the other three rooms, there are graves of her sister, mother, and khadima.
The architecture design of the Bibi-Heybat mosque is its greta domes and minarets. The central dome adorned with intricate geometric patterns and calligraphy, serves as the focal point of the structure. The old mosque was built in the southern side of the tomb. The interior of the mosque was designed by using ornaments. In 1305 Muhammad ibn Sa’ad built the mosque minarets. The modern restored mosque is a classic and great model of the Shirvan architectural school. The mosque has three domes. The domes are decorated with green turquoise mirrors bordered with ayah of Quran. Although the mosque is a worthy place to visit and it shows the rich religious heritage of Baku City.
