It is noted through this research that there is a clear insufficiency studies of the most important stylistic features of the Samarra mosques in general, as well as the lack of clarity between the Al-Moutawakel and the Abi Dalaf Mosque in terms of space, structure, architectural elements, space relations and detailed processors. The aim of the research is to clarify the most important features that form the architectural styles of Samarra mosques and the most important stylistic features of each mosque, in addition to explain the difference between Al-Moutawakel and Abu Dalaf. There are common stylistic features that characterize the mosques of Samarra in general, and there are features that distinguish Al-Moutawakel mosque, that differ from those that characterize the Abi Dalaf Mosque. These differences came for the reasons: the historical period in which the mosque was built, the capacity and importance of each mosque, the functional side, the spiritual side, the political side. The most important previous studies that dealt with the topic of research:
1. Samarra, A Demographics Study 2011 (PhD. Saleh Ahmed Al-Ali)
This book dealt with the method of searching for the city's location, selecting the place, the purpose of the caliphs in establishing the city, and the method of choosing the site that was built in the Korat Al-Tairhan. Then it dealt with the matters of the water, planning, constructing, residential houses, engineers working on its planning and the style of planning in the city. It explains in detail Al-Mu'tasim and Al-mutawakel mosque, as well as the local mosques, Al-Hayr, the local markets and the people. Then the palaces of the Caliphs, including Al-Mu'tasim Palace, Al-Jawsaq, house of common - Al-Wathiq Palace, and palaces in the era of Al-mutawakel, Al-Jaafari and Al-Mu'tamid's Al-Ma'shouq and Al-Ahmadi. Then it dealt with Samarra after the transfer of the caliphate. The researcher benefited from the information and details in this book about some tourist areas in the city that should be developed, but it was only a notation of historical information and does not include any attempt to develop the areas.
2. Samarra, The Capital of the Arab State During the Abbasid Era in 1989 AD (PhD. Ahmed Abdulbaqi)
This book is about the city of Samarra since its emergence, all the caliphs who passed through it, all the facilities located in it and the institutions of the Arab state in it throughout the ages and caliphs. It contains details about each ornamentation and its development. It touches the matters of Turks and Alawites and how they affected it, the strife and turmoil that the city faced. The researcher benefited from the method of notation and a lot of information, but it lacked plans.
3. Samarra, the Capital of the Abbasid Caliphate (221-279 AH / 836-892 AD) A Sociological Study 2006 AD (Kholood Muhammed al-Ahmadi)
This study attempted to focus on some aspects that did not receive full attention and extensive research. It dealt with the plans of Samarra, focused on its residents and on linking the schematic landmarks to the population, their ethnic origins and their social levels. It also clarifies the relationship of the plans to the foundations of the military, political and administrative organization. The study was meant to describe the urban development that Samarra witnessed During the reigns of Caliphs. It sought to identify the population structure of the Samarra community, especially the Turks, as they were most numerous and influential. It showed their role in the society and their dealings with the general conditions in the city, in addition to the factors that helped them impose their control over the caliphs.The researcher benefited from this study in understanding the plans, the nature of the society, the population and the origins of Samarra.
4. Ornamentations of Abbasid Samarra 2011
This research is about a historical overview of the city of Samarra, its location to the Tigris and its neighboring cities, the caliphs who lived in it and how the Hamavans attacked and plundered the city. It touched the impact of the war and bombing on the city and its mosque, and mentioned important ornamentations and palaces in the old city such as the Fountain, Al-Balkwara, Al-Jawsaq, Al-Ashiq, Al-Ma'shooq, The Caliph's Palace - Abi Dalaf - Al-Mukhtar, Al-Waziri, Al-Aroos, Al-Jaafari, Al-mutawakelya, Al-Gyss, Barakat Al-Sabaa, Crusader Dome, General House, Al-Sawan hill, the city first wall. In the second section, the architecture and planning of the Great Mosque were dealt in detail. This research mentions some (not all) tourist areas briefly. In addition, it does not contain any plans, as it was only notation information without an attempt to develop. The researcher benefited from the second section, which dealt with the planning of the Great Mosque in detail.
Through reviewing previous studies and analyzing plans, the researcher concludes that the research problem lies in the presence of a clear insufficiency studies of the most important stylistic features of Samarra mosques in general, as well as the lack of clarity of the differences between Al-mutawakel and Abi Dalaf Mosque in terms of the space of their structure, architectural elements, space relations and detailed treatments.
