Maqam (shrine)
Construction
Construction
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The most popular type of maqams is a single chamber square building topped with a dome, in the middle of which there is a stone cenotaph,McCown, 1921, p. [50](https://archive.org/stream/jstor-3768451/3768451#page/n4/mode/1up) though the bodies of the revered figures themselves were buried below the ground level. In the south wall of the maqam, there is usually a small [mihrab](/wiki/Mihrab "Mihrab") facing [Mecca](/wiki/Mecca "Mecca"), decorated with inscriptions and floral ornament. The entrance to the chamber is mostly at the north wall. In the other arched walls there are usually small windows. Candelabras and lamps are hanging in an active maqam, a cenotaph is covered by a quilt (usually a green one), praying rugs are spread on the floor in front of the mihrab.

There are also bigger maqams, consisting of two, three or four chambers:Canaan, 1927, p. [47](http://digital.soas.ac.uk/LOAA003475/00002/60j): "The more important the holy man, the greater the complexity of the building. Prophets (*anbiā*) enjoy the largest maqams." prayer chamber, entrance hall, zawiya or a room for pilgrims to have a rest. Big maqams have two or three similar domes. In times of old, the dome was decorated by a metal spire with a crescent, but nowadays such decoration is rare.

The maqams are not always supposed to stand over the tombs of the saints to whom they are dedicated. A [cenotaph](/wiki/Cenotaph "Cenotaph") is indeed almost always to be found there, but often they are regarded merely as "stations."
[upright\=1\.15\|thumb\|Maqam of Nabi Samit ([Samson](/wiki/Samson "Samson")) in [Sar'a](/wiki/Sar%27a "Sar'a"), destroyed in the 1950sThe](/wiki/File:Neby_Samat_01_SWP.jpg "Neby Samat 01 SWP.jpg") dome is often situated by an ancient [carob](/wiki/Carob "Carob") or [oak tree](/wiki/Oak "Oak") or a spring or rock cut water cistern. A sacred tree was planted near maqams, mostly – a palm tree, oak or [sycomore](/wiki/Ficus_sycomorus "Ficus sycomorus"). There was also a well or spring. The positioning of maqams on or near these natural features is seen as indicative of ancient worship practices adapted by the local population and associated with religious figures.

As a rule, maqams were built on the top of the hills or at the crossroads, and besides their main function – shrine and prayer place, they also served as a guard point and a guiding landmark for travelers and caravans. Over the years, new burial places appeared near maqams; it was considered as honour to be buried next to a saint. Big cemeteries formed around many Muslim sanctuaries.


How do different cultures view the significance of maqams?