Islamic Art- The Glorious Heritage
“God is Beautiful and Loves Beauty”
So said our Beloved Prophet Muhammad [Peace be upon him] some 1400 years ago. He also said,
“God likes that when you do anything, you do it excellently.”
“God likes that when you do anything, you do it excellently.”
[Reported by Muslim]
Such Prophetic sayings have inspired the Muslim’s throughout centuries to beautify and decorate their places of worship, homes, and even of articles in common use in everyday life.
In the years following the revelations of the Prophet Muhammad [Peace be upon Him] in the early seventh century AD, the new religion of Islam spread rapidly through Arabia to North Africa and Spain in the west and Central Asia and India in the east.
Through the following years, artists and craftsmen in the areas influenced by Islam produced some of the world's most beautiful works of art: from the Alhambra to the Taj Mahal, from illuminated copies of the Qur’aan to exquisite decorative arts: ceramics, textiles and metalwork.
In the seventh century, the Islamic Art evolved in the region of Syria where both Muslims and non-Muslims contributed to the key forms of arts like painting, architecture, ceramics, calligraphy etc.
There were two key aspects to the visual structure of Islamic design- using Arabic script and abstract ornamentation using a varied but remarkably integrated design. Calligraphy was the most popular art at that time, and it was used to décor the walls of buildings like castles, masjids and houses. It was a highly respected form of art because it involved the use of verses from the Muslim Holy book Quran. ‘Naskh’ and ‘Kufic’ were the two scripts that were mainly used in calligraphy.
For almost ten centuries, the Islamic Art of pottery was developed in Iraq, and it included the famous
Stone paste Ceramics, Luster-ware Pottery, Enameled Glass and Glazed ceramics.
As a result, enameled and gilded glass industrial complex was established in Syria during the eighty century. The famous blue glaze wares of Basra were developed during this time. In addition to this, the use of different shapes to cover surfaces was another form of Islamic Art that was called ‘Arabesque’ a French term. During Medieval Islamic Era, this art flourished, and it was considered a luxury artwork.
As a result, enameled and gilded glass industrial complex was established in Syria during the eighty century. The famous blue glaze wares of Basra were developed during this time. In addition to this, the use of different shapes to cover surfaces was another form of Islamic Art that was called ‘Arabesque’ a French term. During Medieval Islamic Era, this art flourished, and it was considered a luxury artwork.
One of most prominent form of Islamic Art was the Islamic Architecture. For centuries, Muslims used domes in their buildings which showed their artistic sense. There are many buildings in different parts of the world that were constructed by Muslims, and most of them have dome as a prominent architectural feature. The oldest building of this type is “Dome of the Rock” which was built by Khaleefah Hazrat Umar [Radiul Laahu Anhu]in the seventh century. The domes can be seen in buildings like masjids, palaces, tombs and forts. In Spain, “The Great Masjid of Cordoba”; in Egypt, “The Citadel”, in India, “Taj Mahal” and “Bath Houses in Turkey all had domes.
After the fifteenth century, Islamic Art was further enhanced by the addition of beautiful and elegant forms of art like carpeting, painting, jewelry designing, textile weaving and stone carving. In the region of sub-continent under Mughal Empire and the Persian
Region of Iran, the art of miniature paintings evolved. These miniature paintings showed the
secular mindset of the people of that time. However, the art of sculpture was not part of
the Islamic art because sculptures are forbidden under Islamic laws.
Literature has a big share in the Islamic Art. There are numerous pieces of work of literature by the
Muslim scholars which shows the rich heritage of the Islamic world at that time. One of the most
famous masterpieces of Islamic literature is Arabian Nights which was written between 10th to 14th centuries.
Other famous work of Islamic literature includes “Layla and Majnun” which was probably the inspiration
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| http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/gallery/shahnameh/images/9.jpg Courtesy - Fitz Meuseum |
Other famous work of Islamic literature includes “Layla and Majnun” which was probably the inspiration
for the creation of “Romeo and Juliet” and “Firdousi’s Shahnamah” which describes the Persian History in a unique style.
The "Hayy ibn Yaqdhan“by Ibn-e-Tufail inspired the western authors Daniel Defoe and Rudyard Kipling to a great level.
Islamic architecture and decorative arts are still very much alive and valued in many parts of the Muslim world.
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