Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 1(2): 153-156, 2007

 

ISSN 1991-8178

 

© 2007, INSInet Publication

 

Corresponding Author:

 

 

 

Mahmoud Itewi, Tafila Technical University, Faculty of Engineering, P.O. Box 179, 66110-

Tafila, Jordan.

 

153

 

 

Towards a Modern Theory of Islamic Architecture

 

Mahmoud Itewi

 

Tafila Technical University, Faculty of Engineering, P.O. Box 179, 66110-Tafila, Jordan

 

 

.

 

 

Abstract:

 

 

 

This essay objectively surveys the history of Islamic architecture and highlights the role

of Islamic conquers in its spread. Furthermore, it evaluates the effects of Islam and ancient

 

civilizations such as Roman Greek and Persian on Islamic architecture. Certain features of Islamic

 

architecture, which can be revived, are underscored in the light of modern architectural theories. To

 

develop a modern theory of Islamic architecture, religious and spiritual aspects as well as form and

 

environment need to be taken into account. Also, common features of modernism and originality

 

should be highlighted.

 

 

Key words:

 

 

 

Islamic architecture, conquers, architectural theories, religious, spiritual

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Architecture refers to the science of designing and constructing buildings to meet people's physical and

 

moral needs. Appropriate construction materials are used in accordance with the desired designs.

 

It is undeniable that the first written civilization appeared in ancient Iraq where it interacted with the

 

natural environment of Southern Iraq. The agriculture of that region utilized rivers and dams. To achieve

 

stability and security, rulers carried out some strategic projects. For example, they dug channels, built temples

 

and improved life conditions of their retinues. This led to the rise of city and architecture which developed

 

from 2800 to 2400 BC.

 

The Greek Architecture dates back to 444 – 429 BC. It was influenced by the Pharaonic and Persian

 

architecture which paved the way for the Roman Architecture (753 – 509 BC). It can be noticed that the

 

Pharaonic architecture interacted with the prevalent architectures of that time. In fact, the Pharaohs were known

 

for their architecture, city planning and temples.

 

Unlike other architectures, Islamic architecture originated in the Arabian Peninsula. It involves city planning

 

along with its squares, streets, style of accommodation, economic and climatic conditions in addition to the

 

social customs. According to this model, the mosque is usually situated in the city center and minarets are

 

high enough to guide coming passengers.

 

Then, the Islamic architectural revolution spread throughout the cities of the ancient world such as the

 

Roman, Greek, Byzantine, Asian, North African and Central Asian cities due to the Islamic conquers. New

 

cities such as Sammerqand, Bukhara, Istanbul, Qurtoba and Grenada were established. Later, they contributed

 

to the expansion of Islamic architecture and civilization.

 

Islamic architecture came into contact with the Byzantine, Hellenic, Sassanid and Persian civilizations

 

which were conquered by Muslims. Impressively, Islamic architecture is unified despite the long distances that

 

separate the Arab states. This can be attributed to the unity of intellectual source in the Islamic civilization.

 

Islamic Architecture: Philosophy and Development:

 

Islamic architecture extended from the 7 to the 19 century. Muslims inte

 

th th

lligently communicated with

other cultures by maintaining rather than erasing them. They steered those cultures to serve Islam and cope

 

with the mainstream in the Islamic World. For example, statues and pictures were forbidden in the architecture

 

of mosques, so Muslim engineers alternatively mastered columns, mosaic, foliage and engineering decorations.

 

They also paid special attention to rchitectural and aesthetic designs which revolutionized Islamic architecture.

 

Today, architecture is considered a reflection to civilization and an open book in which the history of a nation

 

is recorded.

 

Islamic architecture has innovated special ornamentations, colors and engineering units which can be

 

adopted anywhere. The triangle, square and circle for instance are facts because they comply with mental

 

concepts. A new concept of unity has merged in Islamic architecture. It calls for unity as a base for life cycle.

 

 

 

Aust. J. Basic & Appl. Sci., 1(2): 153-156, 2007

 

154

 

This was reflected on intellectual aspects, art and architecture.

 

Unity in Islamic architecture is not only determined by the engineering frequency pivot, but also by the

 

vacuum at a particular point such as the Kaaba or the fountain in the mosque nave. Here, the dynamic power

 

unifies parts and maintains their sovereignty to incorporate with the whole.

 

The principle of unity in Islamic architecture is applicable on horizontal projections as well as on radial

 

star-shaped decorations and walls which surround the high gateway whose doors can be rectangular, pointed

 

or circular.

 

The charm of walls in Islamic architecture will be attained if aesthetic standards and sensible perceptions

 

are met. Certain ornamental elements such as oriels, Muqarnasat (i.e. hive-shaped designs), sculptures and

 

Arabic calligraphy which are inscribed on stones have contributed to the rise of a new architectural pattern.

 

Features of Mosque Architecture:

 

Islamic architecture heavily depends on engineering and aesthetic principles. We should make it clear that

 

Islamic architecture had originated and then its features were inferred accordingly. However, the religious

 

aspect is the most distinctive feature to which Islamic architecture is indebted. It is represented in the Islamic

 

aesthetic mentality.

 

Mosque has been the first house to be built on the basis of piety. Muslims congregate there under one

 

dome yielding to and fearing of Allah. Consequently, architects have set a number of criteria that mosques

 

should meet since the early age of Islam. These criteria include:

 

C

 

 

communication among prayers

 

 

C

 

 

having no columns in the mosque nave

 

 

C

 

 

having no direct entrance into the nave

 

 

C

 

 

having several openings for illumination.

Roman Architecture for instance influenced Islamic architecture particularly in the field of stone columns.

 

This is a normal matter as it shows how dynamic and vital the architecture is. In fact, Islam urges its followers

 

to communicate with other nations because static cultures will definitely die.

 

As a direct result for Islamic conquers in the Abbasid and Umayyad ages, there was a dire need for

 

building forts and castles in cities. After that, Islamic architecture began influencing other civilizations. For

 

example, Arabesque which was initiated by Muslim architects became very popular in Europe and Asia as it

 

was the case in Spain, Sammerqand and Bukhara where it interacted with the indigenous arts. In China,

 

mosques were built in harmony with local house roofs, entrances and construction materials. Later, fundamental

 

features of mosque were introduced to other civilizations:

 

1. Much attention was paid to the minaret whose height reaches tens of meters and designs vary from circular

 

to polygonal shapes. Some mosques have several minarets that can be used as beacons at night. It is worth

 

mentioning that the designs and shapes of minarets reflect both the historical and spatial eras. Today, there

 

are various designs of minarets in Central Asia, North Africa and Spain.

 

2. Dome: the first dome in Islam was built for the Holy Mosque of Jerusalem in 691 AD. Historically, the

 

dome was first developed in Damascus in 706 AD.

 

3. Arch: its decorations and designs varied in the light of construction materials that were available in

 

conquered states.

 

4. Columns: they are considered the most valuable architectural remains in mosques and buildings. At the

 

early stages of mosque architecture, columns had been built by using the trunks of palm trees. Then, the

 

industry of construction materials flourished, when stone and mud were used to build columns. As a matter

 

of fact, the Greek and Roman architectures inspired Muslim architects to use stones as construction

 

materials for building columns.

 

5. Muqarnasat: It stands for the hive-shaped decoration which dates back to the 11