Lighting the Mosques: The Needs and the Applications Mady A. A. Mohamed, Mayar Madani, and Nermin Nabil Abstract Mosques have always been inviolable places with unmistakable economic conditions. Windows within the prayer zone, whether clergy gates screened windows, arched lighting, and other highlight lights have been overseen to form critical, otherworldly human comforting regions. This view focuses on the windowing of divine mosques and relates it to the progressive daylight output. This look is also a step towards more serviceable lighting plans in prayer areas that help add added value to human comfort and minimize the use of vitality. This considers the research into daylight implementation through the use of climate-based daylight measurements, which is Day- light Autonomy (DA), to be sensible. This study aims to present the meaning and practice of light in mosques. The aim of the current research is fulfilled through a multi-methodological approach that includes the analyt- ical literature review and the case study analysis. Results of the research confirmed the importance of designing the adequate lighting for prayer halls in Mosques, to even- tually get comfortable space for worship and reading. Keywords Mosque Á Natural lighting Á Al Mashrabiya Á Clerestory window Á Lantern “Shukhshikha” Á Daylight autonomy 1 Introduction Since the emergence of the primordial cultures, light has been used in a variety of ways to illuminate interiors with sacred and symbolic meanings. Light has almost the same meaning in every religion: In Islam, however, we see dif- ferent ideas about daylight. Mosques make the best use of daylight in Islamic architecture. There is no question that mosques are sacred places that convey an intense sense of God's presence (Sacred Destinations, 2008; Eilouti, 2017). Since the emergence of the primordial cultures, light has been used in a variety of ways to illuminate interiors with sacred and symbolic meanings. Light has almost the same meaning in every religion: In Islam, however, we see dif- ferent ideas about daylight. Mosques make the best use of daylight in Islamic architecture. There is no question that mosques are sacred places that convey an intense sense of God's presence (Al-Tamimi et al., 2020; Arel & Öner, 2017; Othman et al., 2008). Muslims aim to highlight simplicity, clarity, and purity by letting light into mosques inside in various ways. Large spaces without load-bearing walls, domed windows, colorful windows, and lattice windows are used in the design of mosques to strengthen the symbolic, spiritual and aesthetic sense of the interior. The structure of a mosque should bring light to its heart, just like the light in a Muslim's heart. Light also defines these spaces by revealing not only habituation but also their geometry, because it represents the symbolic meanings of existence. In terms of space, the geometry of the mosque is provided by various forms of media, such as wide spaces without load-bearing walls, windows of various sizes and shapes, openings, colored glass, and carved screens (Frish- man et al., 1994; Othman & Zainal-Abidin, 2011; Othman et al., 2016; Tajuddin et al., 2007). Light is delivered inside through calm and harmony and it strengthens both the symbolic and the aesthetic values of a mosque. The use of daylight as a medium for these values emphasizes the building, illuminates the surfaces, and creates a dreamy M. A. A. Mohamed (&) Á M. Madani Architectural Department, College of Architecture and Design, Effat University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia e-mail: momohamed@effatuniversity.edu.sa M. Madani e-mail: mamadani@effatuniversity.edu.sa M. A. A. Mohamed Á N. Nabil Architectural Department, College of Engineering, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt © Effat University 2023 M. Fekry et al. (eds.), Mosque Architecture: A Transdisciplinary Debate, Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-24751-4_12 109