The Philosophy of Decoration in Islamic Architecture
Author: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Spahic Omer
Publish Date: 2009
Pages: 276
Publisher: International Islamic University Malaysia
ISBN: 978-967-5272-15-8
About the book:
This book discusses the philosophy of decoration in Islamic architecture. The nature of the book is philosophical, or conceptual, rather than empirical. The book is divided into five chapters. The first two chapters, namely “The Concept of Decoration in the Holy Qur’an and in the Prophet’s Sunnah” and “Islam and Beauty”, constitute what could be described as a conceptual framework for the theme at hand. Since the subject of Islamic decoration in this book is viewed, mainly, through the prism of architecture, dwelling on the issue of the significance of building pursuits in Islam was rather essential. This is covered in the third chapter which is entitled “Islam on Erecting Buildings”. The fourth and fifth chapters, entitled “Islamic Decoration as an Instrument of Worship” and “Man-Made ‘Signs’ amid the Signs of God in Nature” respectively, represent the core of the book. In them the subject of the philosophy of Islamic decorative arts in architecture is discussed directly and thoroughly from different perspectives.
Out of the many objectives that could be achieved by undertaking this kind of a study, the following list presents the main objectives of this book:
1. To present and examine the philosophy of decoration in Islamic architecture based on the most authentic sources of Islam and Islamic scholarship;
2. To show that Islamic spirituality is at the core of the origins, philosophy, role and function of Islamic decorative arts;
3. To clarify some misconceptions about Islamic architecture in general and about its decorative systems in particular.
About the author:
Dr. Spahic Omer is a Bosnian who lives and works in Malaysia. He studied in Bosnia, Egypt and Malaysia. Presently, he is an Associate Professor at the Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design, International Islamic University Malaysia. His extensive research interests cover Islamic history, culture and civilization, as well as the history and philosophy of Islamic built environment.”