When the last Sassanian ruler, Yazdegerd III (632–651) was killed near the city and the Sassanian military governor surrendered to the approaching Arab army. Representatives of the caliph Umar occupied the city, which became the capital of the Umayyad province of Khorasan.
In 671, Ziyad ibn Abi Sufyan sent 50,000 Arab troops to Merv as a colony. During this time the first mosques were constructed. Using the city as their base, the Arabs, led by Qutayba ibn Muslim from 705 to 715, brought large parts of Central Asia, Merv, and Khorasan, in general, became one of the first parts of the Persian-speaking world to become majority-Muslim. Arab immigration to the area was substantial.
Merv gained renewed importance in February 748 when the Iranian general Abu Muslim (d. 755) declared a new Abbasid dynasty at Merv, expanding and re-founding the city, and, in the name of the Abbasid line, used the city as a base of rebellion against the Umayyad caliphate. After the Abbasids established themselves in Baghdad, Abu Muslim continued to rule Merv as a semi-independent prince until his eventual assassination. Indeed, Merv operated as the centre of Abbasid partisanship for the duration of the Abbasid Revolution of 746–750, and became a consistent source of political support for the Abbasid rulers in Baghdad later on; the governorship of Khurasan at Merv was one of the most important political figures of the Caliphate.
There are several mosques and mausoleums in Merv. The important ones are listed below:
Mosque Name: Gyaur Hala Friday Mosque
Country: Turkmenistan
City: Merv
Year of construction (AH): 671
Year of construction (AD): 51
GPS: 37.661934 62.191886
Gibson Classification: Unknown
Description: This is the earliest congregational mosque built in Merv. It is in the old city of Gyaur Hala, at the main crossroads of the city. The GPS coordinates are approximate, because this mosque was excavated and then recovered with sand. This mosque was also known as the Beni Makhan Mosque. It’s qibla was apparently changed during one of the reconstructions. For further information see the paper: The Beginning of Islam in Central ASsia: The First Mosque in Merv, Turkenistan, by Тirkesh Khodjaniyazov and Aydogdy Kurbanov.
Mosque Name: Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum & Mosque
Country: Turkmenistan
City: Merv
Year of construction (AH): 236-286
Year of construction (AD): 850-899
GPS: 37.664399 62.163723
Gibson Classification: Jerusalem
Description: A new city was established beside Gyaur Hala in the mid-8th century, known at that time as Marv al-Shāhijān (today as Sultan Kala). It survived until it was sacked by the Mongols in 1221 CE. The new city lay immediately to the west of the old town, on the opposite bank of the Razik canal, and by the 13th century Sultan Kala enclosed some 550ha, within 13 km of town walls, including a main city, walled suburbs to the north and south, a citadel Shahriyar Ark, and extensive suburban industrial quarters
The congregational mosque was near the center of the city, and beside it was the Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum. Today the mausoleum is the most striking structure, and the surrounding mosque and city center complex and mostly covered over with the sand, and worn by winds and rains.
No mihrab has been discovered in the mosque that we know of, but the mosque is oriented in a north-south direction. The west wall woiuld have been the qibla wall,
Mosque Name: Hamdani Mosque
Country: Turkmenistan
City: Merv
Year of construction (AH): 184-286
Year of construction (AD): 800-899
GPS: 37.679092 62.171348
Gibson Classification: Jerusalem / Petra
Rebuilt facing Mecca: never
The mosque predates the Mausoleum of Yusef Hamadan who is buried close to it.
Mosque Name: Mausoleum of Yusef Hamadan
Country: Turkmenistan
City: Merv
Year of construction (AH): 535 AH
Year of construction (AD): 1140 AD
GPS: 37.679308 62.170424
Gibson Classification: Petra
Rebuilt facing Mecca: Never
Mosque Name: Kyz Bibi Mausoleum
Country: Turkmenistan
City: Merv
Year of construction (AH): 184-286
Year of construction (AD): 800-899
GPS: 37.659169 62.153191
Gibson Classification: Petra
Rebuilt facing Mecca: never
Details: The mausoleum of a woman called Mastura-Khanym, also known as Kyz-Bibi. She was a Sufi, and once she disappeared from her hujra cell. According to a legend, the locals wanted to marry her against her will but she hid in the desert to avoid such sad future and stayed there as a hermit. Later she discovered a gift for healing and helped infertile women.
Mosque Name: Merv Great KyzKala
Country: Turkmenistan
City: Merv
Year of construction (AH): 184-286
Year of construction (AD): 800-899
GPS: 37.655118 62.152562
Gibson Classification:
Rebuilt facing Mecca: never
Mosque Name: Merv Little KyzKala
Country: Turkmenistan
City: Merv
Year of construction (AH): 184-286
Year of construction (AD): 800-899
GPS: 37.653499 62.152756
Gibson Classification: Between
Rebuilt facing Mecca:Never
Mosque Name: Askhab Mausoleum
Country: Turkmenistan
City: Merv
Year of construction (AH): 184-286
Year of construction (AD): 800-899
GPS: 37.653419 62.171424
Gibson Classification: Petra
Rebuilt facing Mecca: Never
Merv mausoleums
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