3. 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)
4. In the Sahih of Muslim, and the Musnad
of Ibn Hanbal, an interesting saying of the
Prophet:
"God is beautiful and likes beauty."
5. Qur'anitself 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
6. Calligraphywas 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 mirrorswere added to use light and
increase them
Defining elements of Islamic Architecture
7. Islamic Architecture influenced widespread use of
MihrabTombstone
DoorWindow
Decorative featurelamps
DomesMosaics
Geometric shapesPatterns
FountainsGardens, Courtyards
Intertwining : leaf, motifs and designs
8. 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"