373. Sūf | سوف

Jerash Governorate

Jāmi‘ Sūf al-Qadim (Shēkh Yusef ‘Atūm)

JADIS no. none

MEGA no. none

Coordinates: 32°18'48.5"N 35°50'19.5"E

32.313472, 35.838750

Plan: almost square with recessed column-flanked entrance surmounted by a pointed arch in the N wall (fig. 373.3) facing the miḥrāb in the S wall (qibla). The interior is divided into three naves running parallel to the qibla wall. These naves are intersected by cross vaulted bays resting upon pointed arches (fig. 373.5) merging from the central four pillars and corresponding to wall buttresses. In the NW corner leads a staircase to the flat roof top. At the SW corner, a Ottoman minaret has been added, accessible from the SE corner of the roof.

Measurements: 269 m², capacity for 373 individuals.

Exterior: 19.03-18.95 m (S-N) x 18.92-18.85 m (E-W).

Interior: 16.46-16.54 m (S-N) x 16.52-16.41m (E-W), all measurements by Khateb 2020.

Building Materials: limestone blocks laid in horizontal isodomic rows with mortar bondage. The exterior walls have been clad in Ottoman times and even more recently by façades of industrially fabricated limestone masonry.

Construction details: The pointed arches intersecting the cross vaulted bays of the naves are attested at mosques of Ayyubid-Mamluk date, such as in the Remūn (no. 306) and ‘Ajlūn (no. 21) Friday mosques.

Preservation: intact, in use for Muslim Friday prayer.

Inscription(s): Above the entrance an Ottoman inscription refers to the latest renovation, giving the date of 1333 H = AD 1914/15. An added chronogram above the last line adds 714 + 158 + 139 + 128 + 194 = 1333.

Translation: “A place of prayer was finished, perfectly and well, in the time of our protector, the King, the supported. The King, whose grace encompassed humanity, Muḥammad Rashad With the effort of our master Amīn, a descendant of Tamīm, who became unique in glory. For its construction he brought a true date, with the support of Allāh, our mosque was erected." Year 1333 H(ijri) (NAt, NTu and Jihad al-Daire, edited by RS).

Date(s): In origin the mosque might go back to the Ayyu-bid-Mamluk period as the plan suggests. It was rebuilt under the auspices of the Ottoman Sulṭān / Caliph Mehmet V (Muḥammad Rashâd), who reigned from 27^th April 1909 to 3^rd July 1918. The year 1333 hijri lasted from 19^th November 1914 to 8^th November 1915. Therefore, the mosque in present condition was built after the Ottoman Empire became involved in World War I.

Traveler reports: none known.

Bibliography: Faqeh - Assad 1989; Khouri 2009 126.; Khateb 2020, 144-145 no. 14 figs. 136-138.