society and house

7/29/2019 Society and House

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Influence of Islamic Socio-Cultural patterns on its Architecture

SOCIETY AND HOUSECase Study:

THE ISLAMIC SOCIETYand the

ISLAMIC HOUSE


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About Islam

Islam is a monotheistic religion which arose in the desertsof Arabia in 600 A.D. Its founder was the Prophet

Muhammad.

The message of God revealed to him is contained in the

holy book, the Quran. The Prophet's sayings, deeds andteachings are recorded by his followers and compiled in

the Hadith. These two books guide the Muslim from the

cradle to the grave in all religious and secular activities.

The religious laws and legislation cover all areas ofpolitical, economic, social and personal life to the minutest

detail.


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Segregation of Women in Islam

Women should stay home in all dignity and since there are

restrictions on their mobility, no duty is alloted to them which

requires them to go out of the house. A women should always

confine herself to domestic obligation and duties. If the women

has to go out in unavoidable circumstances, she must be simplyattired.

In the Hadith the following rules are laid down

for observance of purdah:

Stay quietly in your houses, and make not a dazzling

display, like that at the former times of ignorance.(Surah Al Ahzaab, verse 33)


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O Prophet, tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the

believers to draw their cloaks close around them (when they go

abroad) that will be better, so that they may be recognised and

not annoyed. (Surah Al Ahzaab, verse 59)

It is therefore required for a Muslim woman when she goes out towear a dress that covers her from head to foot and does not

reveal her figure.

Men have also been advised as to their conductregarding the segregation of women.


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The special and almost universal characteristic of the Islamic

home can be explained when it is understood as a

manifestation of some special teachings and

interpretations of the Islamic faith.

The teachings of the Islamic faith influence and guide its

followers in all spheres of religious and secular activities and

maintain social order by providing guidelines and control

mechanisms for individual behaviour.

The conceptual similarity in the built environment of the

followers of Islam have to be understood as an expression of

a common faith and a unifying religious culture.


7/22Influence of Islamic Socio-Cultural patterns on its Architecture

Women's Domain in the Islamic House

The seclusion of women from certain categories of men is an

important factor in the use of household space and the

orientation of dwellings with respect to one another.

The women's activities are centered around the private life of the

family, hidden from the public eye. The man has more interaction

with the public realm and the important obligation of hospitality

gives rise to the necessity of spaces to receive guests.

The dominant emphasis is on domestic privacyand the seclusion and segregation of women.



The most common dwelling form is the inward looking courtyardhouse, which supports the family and social functions.

Closed to the outer world, it opens towards a central court, thus

fulfilling the need for privacy as well as for adequate light and

ventilation. This dwelling type appears to be the universal

solution in the Islamic world. It supports the division of the

home into a public and a secluded family section.


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Apart from the courtyard house, Islamic teachings have been the basis of

several additional architectural devices and elements which reinforce

the concept of seclusion and concealment of women.


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Minimum windows to the exterior, small in size


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The Islamic house is an INTROVERTED FORM, conceivedfrom the INSIDE OUTSIDE, with emphasis of interior elements,

such as the courtyard faade, while the street faade is usually

a plain wall.


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External house walls are built to a

height that ensures that the domestic

interior cannot be overlooked and

that intruders are discouraged.

Any openings in the Ground floor are

small, grilled and above the line of

vision of passerby.


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Mashrabiya (screened windows) allow women to look out

without being seen


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Hawa Mahal

Palace Complex, Jaipur

The Hawa Mahal(Palace of

Breezes), a ventilated

residence, overlooks a busy

downtown street near the

City Palace in Jaipur.

Built in 1799, it allowed court

women to observe the passing

scene while remaining in

seclusion.


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The main gateway of the house usually does not give immediate

access to the domestic quarters, but leads into a vestibule (often

with another door opening into the harem) or passage with a right

angle turn so that it is impossible to see into the court from

outside.

The house entrance


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Indirect entrances to dwellings, usually from a corner;

separate entrances for women.


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High roof parapets to allow private use of roofspace


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