Khalwa (structure) explained

A khalwa (also "bayt al-khalwa", literally "place of seclusion"),^[1] is an Islamic solitary space or cell (zawiya) set aside as a place for retreat and spiritual exercise.^{[1] [2]}

A considerable number of small khalwa structures were built on the esplanade of Al-Aqsa from 956 onwards, many founded by local Ottoman dignitaries and echoing a similar vaulted form supporting one or two domed chambers.^[2]

The underground prayer chambers in the traditional mosques of central Arabia (Najd) are also called khalwa,^[3] while among the Druze, a prayer house is known as a Khalwat al-Bayada.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Encyclopedia: Khalwa . Encyclopedia of Islam . 2 . Brill.
2. Web site: The Development of al-Haram ai-Sharif during Ottoman Rule . . 2012 . Michael Hamilton . Burgoyne . Proceedings of the International Congress on al-Quds during the Ottoman Era, Damascus, 22-25 June 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20220525165807/http://isamveri.org/pdfdrg/D224748/2012/2012_HAMILTONM.pdf . 2022-05-25 .
3. Alnaim, M. M. . 2023 . The Architecture of Mosque Integration of Decoration, Functionality, and Spirituality: An Overview of Najd Region Mosque Architecture . Journal of Engineering Research . 2307-1877 . 10.36909/jer.ICMA.20217. 1 November 2024 .
4. Book: Samy S. Swayd. The A to Z of the Druzes. 2009. Rowman & Littlefield. 978-0-8108-6836-6. xxxix.