The architecture of mosques has played a crucial role in the culture and civilization of Islamic countries throughout history. This is because, among Muslims, the mosque has not only been considered a place for daily worship but also a center for various cultural and social activities. This multifunctional nature has significantly influenced the architectural and functional evolution of mosques from the early post-Islamic period onwards. Iran, with its vast and diverse culture and geography throughout Islamic history, has provided a highly suitable environment for the development and transformation of mosques. Mosques evolved as freestanding buildings along main streets in the heart of cities or as part of larger complexes with political, religious, or spiritual functions. Depending on the ruling period and the specific cultural characteristics of the geographical region, mosques have reflected the ideas of their builders, including rulers, ministers, scholars, intellectuals, religious leaders, and mystics. The aim of the present research is to examine the role of the mosque within the broader historical and intellectual context of Iranian geography, considering the influence of climate and culture, as well as the ideas of its patrons and founders. The research employs a historical-interpretive method, using descriptive-analytical approaches for data analysis and a comparative-analytical approach for evaluating findings. The results indicate that the evolution of mosques in Iran’s cultural centers has been shaped by dominant political, religious, and spiritual ideologies during three significant periods: (1) from the advent of Islam to the Seljuk era, (2) from the Ilkhanid period to the late Turkmen era, and (3) from the Safavid period to the middle of the Qajar era. This progression led to the formation and evolution of notable mosques of these periods, such as the Jameh Mosque of Isfahan, the Blue Mosque of Tabriz, and the Shah Mosque of Isfahan. It should be noted that this paper will examine and evaluate additional examples of mosques.

The concept of in-between spaces in Iranian architectural and urban complexes is deeply influenced by mystical thought and Islamic teachings, significantly impacting spatial organization. The idea of in-betweenness originates from the belief in a hierarchical structure of the universe and the existence of intermediaries between different levels of existence. In Islamic thought and mysticism, the existence of hierarchies among multiple worlds is a fundamental principle, and connections between these worlds occur through intermediaries. These intermediaries not only facilitate connections but also serve transformative roles through interpretation, alteration, and adaptation. This concept is evident in Iranian architectural and urban complexes, manifesting as intermediary elements on various scales. The city of Tabriz, in the 13th century, following the long reign of the Seljuks in Iran and the strict religious policies of its rulers, experienced a new form of political governance influenced by mystical thought during the Ilkhanid era. This shift allowed mystical ideas to shape the construction of architectural and urban complexes in the city. The mosque, as a place embodying Sharia for Muslim worship, and mysticism, as a reflection of the spiritual path, both serve as means of attaining truth. Given this context, the main research question is: What is the relationship between the mosque, as a manifestation of Sharia for worship, and mysticism, as an expression of the spiritual path, within the political and intellectual context of an Islamic city? Therefore, this study aims to identify the role of mosques in Tabriz from the Ilkhanid period to the Late Turkmen era, considering the mystical ideas of its rulers and politicians, in the spatial organization of the city. The research employs a historical-interpretive method, using descriptive-analytical approaches for data analysis and a comparative-analytical approach for evaluating findings. The results indicate that mosques constructed in cities governed by mystical thought possess: (1) physical-formal characteristics, (2) semantic-functional characteristics, and (3) relational-geometric characteristics. These mosques function as built environments with the attributes of in-between spaces, serving various functions while playing a significant role in the spatial organization of the city. Keywords: In-Between Space, Mystical Thought, Mosque, Spatial Organization, Tabriz, Ilkhanid Era.