Mosque inscriptions, particularly within the spatial setting of the mihrab, should not be regarded merely as decorative or visual ornaments; rather, they possess a semantic and symbolic structure that gains meaning through a deep interrelation with spatial organization, ritual function, and the perceptual experience of the viewer. Through the selection of Qur’anic verses, modes of placement, textual sequence, and interaction with architectural elements, these inscriptions operate as a form of spatial text, enabling multilayered interpretive and narrative-oriented readings.
This study aims to examine the interpretive and narrative capacities of the mihrab inscriptions of the Jameh Mosque of Kerman and seeks to elucidate their role in shaping meaning and guiding the sacred experience of the audience. The research adopts a qualitative methodology based on an interpretive–historical approach, with data collected through documentary research, field observations of the mihrab space, and interpretive analysis of Qur’anic verses.
The findings indicate that the deliberate arrangement of verses, the meaningful textual sequence, and the spatial positioning of inscriptions within the mihrab of the Jameh Mosque of Kerman contribute to the formation of a coherent spiritual narrative that articulates fundamental concepts such as prophethood, imamate, and divine guidance within an integrated architectural framework. Accordingly, the mihrab of the Jameh Mosque of Kerman may be understood as a setting for spatial narration and sacred meaning-making in Islamic architecture.