islamic arts and architecture

Qur'an took the initiative in the development

of art among Muslims

The recitation of the Holy Qur'an created a

new branch of arts

The conservation of its text necessitated

calligraphy and book-binding

God has spoken in the Qur'an:

"We have beautified the lower sky with lamps"

(67:5)

"Lo! We have placed all that is on the earth as an

ornamental thing that We may try men: which

of them is best in conduct" (18:7)

In the Sahih of Muslim, and the Musnad

of Ibn Hanbal, an interesting saying of the

Prophet:

"God is beautiful and likes beauty."

Qur'an itself recommended grandeur in the

construction of mosques (24:36)

Masterpieces of our civilization stand tall in architecture

and Artistic Decoration to other civilizations:

Prophet's Mosque at Madina

Dome of the Rock at Jerusalem

Alhambra Palace at Granada

Calligraphy was found in the decoration of almost every

Islamic building as well as many objects

Geometry become a major art form by using the circle as a

basis and generating patterns to create unusual effects

Ceramic tiles and mirrors were added to use light and

increase them

Defining elements of Islamic Architecture

Islamic Architecture influenced widespread use of

Mihrab Tombstone

Door Window

Decorative feature lamps

Domes Mosaics

Geometric shapes Patterns

Fountains Gardens, Courtyards

Intertwining : leaf, motifs and designs

T.B. Irving on Islamic architecture:

" few civilizations have approached Islam's beauties in

architecture: her soaring minarets and spires, her fabled

domes, her cool corridors, all reflect the yearning of

Muslims, who refusing to find expression in natural

depiction concentrate their energies on buildings and their

embellishment"

Vessel, ca. 700SyriaBronze, pierced and chased, openwork design

Inscribed slab, first half of

8th centurySyriaLimestone

Ewer, 8th–early 9th centuryProbably SyriaBronze, cast, engraved, and pierced

Woven Tapestry Fragment, 8th century; UmayyadIran or IraqWool

This Mosque was built by

the founder of

Kairouan, Sidi Oqba

in 670 AD

Dome of Rock, Palestine

Dome of Rock,

Palestine

Inside ceiling of Dome of Rock has mosaic against a gold background

Inside viewDome of Rock

Inside viewDome of Rock

Inside viewDome of Rock

Inside viewDome of Rock

Great Mosque Syria

This mosque built between 706 and 715

The Great Mosque of Damascus

built by Caliph Al-Walid I

Capital, 9th century,Abbasid, SyriaCarved alabaster

Pair of doors

9th century Abbasid, Iraq

Carved wood

11th century Quran

Eastern Kufic style

Iran

11th Century

Quranic Manuscript

Textile fragment

Late 10th century

Abbasid, Probably Iraq

Cotton plain weave with paintedinscription

The Great

Mosque of Samarra

848-852 AD

Built on an open plan principle

The largest mosque of Islam

(748 x 512 ft)

Mosque of Samarra

Built by

Caliph Al-Mu’tasim

Al-Zaytuna Mosque

731 AD

By

Obeid-AllahIbn Al-Habhab

Built by

Ahmad Ibn Tulun

870 — 879 AD

Quranic Manuscript

Pyxis10th century (950–975)

Caliphal, Spanish

Made in AndalusiaIvory

Incense burner

11th century Spain (Andalusia)

Cast bronze, openwork and incised

Construction began between 784 and 786 AD under the supervision of "Abd al-Rahman I

Inside Ceiling view

Extravagant use of Tile and Color is hallmarks of Islamic Architecture

Inside pathways

White and Red Marble tile arches form rectangular halls for prayers

Top Down View

Alhambra, Grenada

Built by

Yusuf I (1333-1353)

&Muhammad V(1353-1391)

Sultan of Granada

Columns in the Court of the Lion, Alhambra

Pillars and carving at the Alhambra, Granada