Analysis and Criticism of Modernism in the Light of Islam (Part 13)

Author: Mohajer Azizi

Analysis and Criticism of Modernism in the Light of Islam (Part 13)

3. The art of calligraphy

The pen is not a simple stick; it is a reed that makes the soul dance on the page and immortalizes the thought. In Islamic culture, this small tool has acquired such dignity and sanctity that Allah has sworn by it in the Holy Quran: «ن وَالقَلَمِ وَما یَسْطُرون» Translation: “By the pen and what it inscribes”. This oath not only expresses the high status of the pen, but is also a message for human to cherish and use it in a righteous way.

In Islamic culture, the pen was a sacred tool and its writing was considered a precious gem. Inspired by this view, Muslims realized the importance of writing and the art of calligraphy found a special place. Calligraphy is one of the most beautiful handicrafts that has been formed in many cultures in accordance with its language and alphabet; but in Islamic civilization, it has been one of the most widely used and glorious arts and has even had a prominent place in architecture and painting. [1]

Arabic calligraphy reached distant lands after the expansion of Muslim conquests following the death of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the transfer of the center of the caliphate from Iraq to Syria at the beginning of the Umayyad rule. [2] Calligraphy flourished even more with the beginning of the Abbasid rule in the middle of the second century AH, and many calligraphers, under the support of the caliphs and their Iranian ministers, reached the highest levels of this art. Various quotes and narrations from the Abbasid caliphs about calligraphy indicate the flourishing of this art during that period. [3]

Abu Hayyan Tawhidi narrates that the handwriting of Ahmad ibn Abi Khalid, the scribe of al-Ma’mun, was so beautiful that the Roman emperor would display his writings alongside exquisite objects at official banquets. [4]

Calligraphy gradually became mixed with inscriptions; inscriptions that often contained verses from the Quran and were used in tiling and decorating mosques. During the Timuri and Safavi periods, calligraphy increasingly served Islamic architecture and became an inseparable part of the decorations of mosques, tombs, and schools. In fact, calligraphy is the root and soul of Islamic architecture, and many calligraphers who possessed both physical and spiritual knowledge created original and lasting works throughout the history of Islamic civilization. [5]

4. The Art of Islamic Architecture

Architecture is considered one of the most brilliant manifestations of Islamic art and one of the unparalleled masterpieces of Muslim civilization.

Although magnificent works of architecture from the Iranian and Roman civilizations were seen in some areas of the Arabian Peninsula – especially Yemen – before Islam; however architecture in its advanced and artistic sense was not very common in Makkah and Medina of early Islam. One of the first examples of architecture in that period was the Kaaba; a building with a flat roof and six wooden columns that had a ritual and religious function rather than an artistic one. [6]

The first manifestations of Islamic architecture took shape in the ten years between the migration and the death of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). The most prominent examples include the construction of the Quba Mosque and the Nabawi (Prophet)’s Mosque. Muslims became familiar with the rich heritage of advanced architectural art and techniques with the expansion of the conquests in Iran, the Levant, Egypt, and North Africa, and inspired by the teachings of Islam and utilizing their own artistic taste, they were able to create works that not only had a religious and social function; but were also considered masterpieces in terms of aesthetics. The growth of architecture in Islamic civilization occurred at a speed and splendor that can be found in few examples in history. [7]

Muslims gradually created their own unique styles of engineering and architecture. Among them, the “Egyptian Islamic engineering style” that was popular between the tenth and fifteenth centuries AD, and its outstanding examples can be seen in the Zahir Mosque and Sultan Hassan Mosque in Cairo – built by the Mamluk sultans. Also, the “Arabic Andalusian style of engineering” that developed in Andalusia after the 10^th century was reflected in works such as the Alhambra in Granada and the buildings of Seville; works that still demonstrate the splendor of Islamic architecture in modern Spain. [8]

Examples of Masterpieces of Islamic Architecture

In general, the buildings of the Islamic period can be divided into two main groups:

1. Religious buildings: including mosques, tombs and schools.

2. Non-religious buildings: including bridges, palaces, caravanserais, baths, markets, castles and reservoirs.

The following are some of them most prominent examples of Islamic architecture:

1. Qubat Al-Sakhrah Mosque: This mosque was built during the caliphate of Abdul Malik ibn Marwan, the Umayyad caliph, and its construction was completed in 71 AH.

2. Al-Aqsa Mosque: There is disagreement about the founder of this mosque; some believe it was built by Abdul Malik and others by Walid ibn Abdul Malik. This mosque is located in the southeastern part of the Old City of Jerusalem.

3. The Grand Mosque of Damascus: One of the great and historic mosques of Damascus, built between 87 and 96 AH during the reign of Abdul Malik ibn Marwan, and still retains its splendor and grandeur.

4. The Mosque of Cordoba: This mosque is located in the city of Cordoba, Andalusia (Spain) and is considered one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in the Islamic world. It uses specific styles of Islamic architecture and is unique in its kind.

5. Alhambra Palace: The Alhambra Palace is located above the city of Granada in Spain and is one of the most prominent examples of Islamic art in North Africa and perhaps the most famous building built during the Islamic rule over Spain. The history of its first parts dates back to the 13^th century. This complex actually includes several palaces that each ruler built for himself. The main idea in designing this palace was to embody paradise on earth. [9]

6. Grand Mosque of Samarra: This huge mosque was built in the center of the city of Samarra between 233 and 237 AH. Its most prominent feature is the 53-meter-high spiral minaret, which is considered one of the tallest in the Islamic world.

7. Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo: This mosque was built between 361 and 395 AH by order of the Fatimid Caliph Al-Mu’izz al-Dinullah, at the same time as the city of Cairo was built. It was expanded during his successor’s reign and became a major scientific and educational center of Islamic sciences. The name “Al-Azhar” was chosen because it was attributed to Hazrat Fatima Zahra (may Allah be pleased with her), since the Fatimids considered themselves her descendants. [10]

8. Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque): This magnificent mosque in Istanbul was built in the early 17^th century by order of Sultan Ahmed I of the Ottoman Empire. The interior blue tiles and its six tall minarets give the building a unique look.

9. Sultan Hassan School: This huge complex in Cairo was built between 757 and 764 AH. The building, which is both a school of religious sciences and a mosque, is famous for its precise proportions, impressive height of its porches, and luxurious stone decorations.

10. Qirawan Mosque: This ancient mosque in the Tunisian city of Qirawan is one of the oldest mosques in the Islamic world in North Africa and was built in the second century AH. The Qirawan Mosque has always been an important model for mosque architecture in the Maghreb and Andalusia.

11. Salaheddin fortress: This fortified fortress in Cairo was built in the sixth century AH. In addition to its military function, the fortress has mosques, water reservoirs, and watchtowers and is considered one of the most important historical monuments in Egypt.

12. Al-Qarawiyyah University: Located in the Moroccan city of Fez, this university was founded in 245 AH by Fatimah Fahriyyah and is known as the oldest university in the world. Al-Qarawiyyah has been one of the great scientific and cultural centers of the Islamic world for centuries.

13. Baghdad Nizamiyya University: This university was founded in the fifth century AH by order of Khwaja Nizam al-Mulk Tusi. Baghdad Nizamiyya University was one of the largest scientific centers of its time and played a special role in the development of religious, philosophical and mathematical sciences.

14. Aleppo Citadel: It is considered one of the oldest and largest fortresses in the world and has a history of several thousand years. This fortress reached its peak of glory during the Islamic period. Its towers, high walls and spiral gates are an outstanding example of Islamic military architecture.

Manifestations of Monotheism and Spirituality in Islamic Architecture

Muslims used methods in the construction of mosques and schools that are not seen in other civilizations. One of the outstanding features of Islamic architecture was the transfer of deep religious concepts to the body of buildings. Manifestations of monotheism are clearly seen in Muslim religious architecture. For example, the symbol of monotheism that Muslims used to show with their hands was artistically expressed in the design and construction of buildings.

The art of Islamic architecture has had a great impact on followers of other religions; to the extent that it has even caused some Western thinkers to turn to Islam. Dr. Murad Hoffman, a German who converted to the holy religion of Islam, considers the reason for his conversion to Islam to be the experience of encountering Islamic art. He says: “A significant experience that had an inherent beauty and was related to Islamic art, guide me to Islam. Islamic art was for me a sublime and impressive experience, and all its manifestations are formed within the framework of spirituality, which is one of the essential characteristics of Islam.”

He adds: “The masterpieces of Muslim architecture, such as the Red Palace of Granada (Spain) and the Great Mosque of Cordoba, are undoubtedly signs of a great and sublime civilization. I remember when Maria Rilke wrote after visiting Cordoba: After visiting this city, a deep hatred for Christianity was formed in me. I read the Quran and hear a song in it that draws me to itself with amazing power. Islamic art has become for me a homeland filled with beauty. “I have studied works of art from various periods, from ancient Greece and Rome to Gothic, Renaissance, and original and genius styles, but none have left such a deep impression on my soul and stirred my emotions like Islamic art.” [11]

Continues…

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References:

1. Mustafa Asadi, History of Islamic Culture and Civilization, p. 79.
2. Sharifi, Calligraphic Paintings in Islamic Art, p. 25.
3. Al-Sawli, Adab al-Kitab, p. 24.
4. Abu Hayyan Tawhidi, Risala fi ‘Ilm al-Kitab, pp. 252 and 253; Mustafa Asadi, History of Islamic Culture and Civilization, p. 170.
5. Mousavi Gilani, History of Islamic Culture and Civilization, p. 115.
6. Ibn Kathir al-Damascus, Al-Bidayah wa’l-Nihayyah, vol. 2, p. 496.
7. Mustafa Asadi, History of Islamic Culture and Civilization, p. 161.
8. George Zaydan, History of Islamic Civilization, p. 951.
9. Helen Brand, Islamic Art and Architecture, pp. 188-190.
10. Mousavi Gilani, History of Islamic Culture and Civilization, p. 198.
11. Islamic Civilization, p. 153.