ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

Week 1 

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What is Islamic Architecture? 

Islamic architecture is combination of both Islam and architecture. The meaning is architecture that purely based on the principle of Islam (Al Quran and Hadith). This meaning is widely accepted compare to other understanding, which is - architecture produce in the Muslim country and only Muslim society possesses it. For example, minarets, arches, and dome are some of architectural elements that associated with Islam and known as Islamic architecture. Islamic architecture is based on the concept of unity, balance, and harmony that are the pillars of Islamic ethics. It does not relate to certain religious monuments or element of design but it relates to human culture, interaction, comfort, and environment. It is the architecture where the form serves its specific function (functional architecture.)

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History of Islamic Architecture
The most important building in the Islamic world is the mosque, followed by the royal palace. Mosques, as the center of worship, were among the first buildings erected in the Islamic world. . All buildings  mosque, etc. have different variations of plans, sections and elevation however they still follow the 7 principles of Islamic Architecture. 

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The Five Pillars consist of:

• Shahadah: sincerely reciting the Muslim profession of faith.

• Salat: performing ritual prayers in the proper way five times each day.

• Zakat: paying an alms (or charity) tax to benefit the poor and the needy.

• Sawm: fasting during the month of Ramadan.

• Hajj: pilgrimage to Mecca.

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The Principles of Islamic Architecture :

1. Architecture as Tawhid: Unity & Uniquity of Allah)

2. Architecture of Ihtiram: Respect

3. Architecture with Ikhlas: Sincerity

4. Architecture as Pursuit of ‘Ilm: Knowledge

5. Architecture for Iqtisad: Balance

6. Architecture of Haya’: Modesty

7. Architecture as Dikr: Remembrance

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Week 2

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Architecture as Tawhid: Unity and Uniquity of Allah

Also refering to the acts of devotion and faith. Mainly the sense of unity; wether in the gathering of people within spaces for purposes of devotion such as prayer or in terms of the space being an area of Muslim social life: education - public service - economic platform as others. spaces that are separated in terms of commercial from residential areas.

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Architecture as Tawhid can be subdivided:
1. Shahada
2. Notion of Tawhid: Learnings of Islam
3. Catalyst - Building Community: Mosque: creates a society, used for various purposes such as education, court, gathering spot and the prayers
4. urban planning- proper guidance according the the fiqh law which includes size of street, boundaries, division of commercial and residential.

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Architecture of Ihtiram; Respect

The practice or art of submission is what may be defined as being respectful; this may be portrayed through architecture that shows devotion in calligraphy, harmony that may be seen within the use of geometrics within a space and respecting the essence of humanity through a building being regarded as a sanctuary.

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This principle implies that in order to show respect to Allah, one practice good manners, to respect others and oneself, to be virtuous and mindful of his own actions. The perfect role for mankind is Prophet Muhammad who shows a good example of propriety and praiseworthy. And Al-Quran which is revealed through Prophet Muhammad as a guide for humanity

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Week 3

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Architecture as Ikhlas; Sincerity

Spaces that also show a sense of devotion in terms of factors such as decorative finishes such as calligraphy - Islamic inscriptions which portray sincerity through the devotion to the religion. The use of beautifully designed floral motifs with the abstraction of idols or faces (representations of humans) from these structures shows sincerity.

 

Ikhlas2 modes of expression of submissions /in the way of God:
1.Outward physical actions of the body eg. prayer.
2. Inward action of the heart
a. Aqidah/Belief - achieved - by removing doubt fr – heart
b. i. Ikhlas/Sincerity of the heart involves – deep contemplative/constant thoughtful - spiritual nature of man + ii. Khulus Arabic triliteral word ikhlas is kh-l-s, hv same root as - khulus (purity)

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Architecture as Pursuit of Ilm; Knowledge

"Knowledge is the the light of truth". The importance of knowledge within Islam is crucial, so it is portrayed within architecture through inscriptions such as calligraphy of the arabic language - which is a scared language especially when used to show the Islamic message, there is the use of mathematics portrayed in Islamic art geometry - this is a crucial factor.

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Pursuit of knowledge is revealed in the numerous structures that Muslim architect erected for their communities to absorb and extent Islam teachings. Ornamentation and carvings acquires a precise and skilled artist in the geometrical laws. The mosque served as an educational seeking point, where people gather and receive/trade knowledge.

 

Week 4
 

Architecture for Iqtisad; Balance

The act of achieving balance within spaces - functional and spiritual balance. In terms of using factors such as spatial proportions (scale) , textures, materials and lighting. it is also an understanding of nature and its portrayal within spaces and so forth - floral motifs

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The essence of Islamic architecture for Iqtisad is to achieve delicate balance between functional and spiritual elements. Harmony is created through the point of intersection where the stability of the soul is achieved which is beneficial to one. In architecture, balance can be achieved by moderating balance between built and nature.

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Architecture of Haya; Modesty.

Humility - Decency - awareness. these are just a few words that may be linked to the notion of modesty. in terms of architecture; this refers to spaces that offer a sense of privacy wether through screening or separation of spaces, this may also be linked to climatic control where screens are used for shading from sun hence a sense of coverage.

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Definition: 

Preservation of dignity: screen, sanctuary, privacy eg. Veil/Hijab of Muslim women-articulation of Islamic life and space Adoption of veil to as acceptance of Muslim woman of what she can control in front of strangers;

humbling herself & God Manifestation her belief to Allah Veil as sanctuary/sacred space freely express herself eg.Wall of Mosque Salamlek & Haramlek woman quarters at home. Veil as guard, covering, screen to gain respect, privacy & identity.

 

Week 5
 

Architecture as Dikr; Remembrance

Remembrance within architecture may be represented through the harmony of monotonous spaces - repetition of various features that offer rhythmic precision - this factor signifies a sense of 'chanting' like a continuos representation of God's innumerable attributes. This can be seen through the use of rows of arch's which is a technique thats quite normally seen within Islamic architecture.

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Definition: 

Architecture of monotony building pillar upon pillar, arcade upon arcade rhythmic precision mirrored in the contemplative chanting of God’s innumerable attributes / zikr

• Manifestation of contemplation maintains a sense of unity through rhythm seen as the eternal and infinite nature of God’s essence. "lt has a portico of surpassing beauty...like the soul of a believer, immersed in the

remembrance of God..."

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