This paper investigates and compares different types of lighting programs in sacred buildings. A general study exploring lighting techniques throughout the history is performed and followed by an analysis for some prominent lighting programs, in which five featuring constructions are examined in order to investigate lighting qualities in each of them. The aim of the paper is to investigate the luminous environment produced by these lighting schemes through a comparative study conducted by both qualitative and empirical methods, using sun angle charts to study the positions of sunbeams inside buildings and Autodesk Ecotect software to study the patterns of daylight distribution in these buildings. Studying these buildings, which depended on daylight as the primary light source, provides us with valuable insights to maximize the accentuating quality of light and to enhance the building’s aesthetic schemes, without the need of extra energy exhaustion. The paper is a step towards sustainable lighting schemes for religious buildings that help to create significant atmosphere with minimum use of energy.