7 Principles of Islamic Architecture

7 Principles of Islamic Architecture

In this lecture, I was attracted by the Principle of Islamic Architecture and the pillars of Islam. Each of the key beliefs will contextualize and shed light on the visible and invisible nature of both the Islamic belief discussed and its corresponding architectural principle. 

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.

The five pillars of Islam define the basic identity of Muslims - their faith, beliefs and practices - and bind together a worldwide community of believers into a fellowship of shared values and concerns.

Pillars of Islam Include: 
1. Shahada: Faith
- Expresses a Muslim's complete acceptance of and total commitment to Islam.
2. Salah: Prayer
- Recommended that Muslims perform salah in a mosque.
3. Zakat: Almsgiving
-  Welfare of the entire community and in particular for its neediest members.
4. Sawm: Fasting
- An act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a richer perception of God.
5. Hajj: Pilgrimage to Makkah
-The most significant manifestation of Islamic faith and unity in the world. In performing the Hajj, a pilgrim follows the order of ritual that the Prophet Muhammad performed during his last pilgrimage.

What is Islamic Architecture??

What is Islamic Architecture??

Islamic architecture consist a wide range of both secular and religious styles from the foundation of Islam to the present day. What today is known as Islamic architecture owes its origin to similar structures already existing in Roman, Byzantine and Persian lands which the Muslims conquered in the 7th and 8th centuries.The principal Islamic architectural types are: the Mosque, the Tomb, the Palace and the Fort. From these four types, the vocabulary of Islamic architecture is derived and used for buildings of less importance such as public bath, fountains and domestic architecture.

Intention of Islamic Architecture??

Islamic architecture is not concerned about the form of buildings only. Islamic architecture signifies a process where all the phases and aspects are equally important. It is almost impossible to identify a phase or an aspect in that process and consider it more important than the others. The Islamic architecture process starts with having a proper understanding and vision which leads to making a right intention. It continues with the planning, designing and building stages, and ends with attaining the net results and how people make use of and benefit from them. Islamic architecture is a fine blend of all these factors which are interwoven with the treads of the belief system, principles, teachings and values of Islam.

It goes without saying, therefore, that without Islam there can be no Islamic architecture. Likewise, without true Muslims who in their thoughts, actions and words epitomize the total message of Islam, there can be no Islamic architecture either. Islamic architecture is a framework for the implementation of Islam, a framework which exists in order to facilitate, encourage and promote such an implementation. Hence, no properly perceiving, creating, comprehending, studying or even using Islamic architecture can be possible in isolation from the total framework of Islam: its comprehensive worldview, ethos, doctrines, laws, practices, genesis and history. Any attempt or method that defies this rational principle is bound to end up in a failure generating in the process sets of errors and misconceptions. Indeed, the existing studies on Islamic architecture, by Muslim and non-Muslim scholars alike, and the ways in which Islamic architecture is taught and practiced today, are the best testimony to the confusion that surrounds the theme of Islamic architecture, as both a concept and sensory reality.