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
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