Aniconism, is the embodiment of medieval Islamic art. Traditional Islamic art consists of three different components: Geometric patterns, floral motifs, and calligraphy. These styles are masterfully, creatively, and alluringly integrated into complex arts, but there is a definite distinction between it and today’s art that mainly focuses on idolism and direct religious imagery. Understanding Islamic art helps one today understand why idolizing and depicting deities isn 't necessary to show devoutness in today’s world.
The limitation in Islamic art comes from a phenomenon known as aniconism which is the opposition of using images and or symbols of divine beings, prophets or other religious figures. Representation of figures is deemed idolatrous in Islam and thus discussed thoroughly is Hadiths that contain social laws. The three components discussed earlier are integrated into different uses for each component. Geometric patterns and floral motifs led to artistic repetition of designs on the walls of mosques, while scripture and calligraphy are used to decorate architectural structure, prayer rugs, and books. Art in Islam is with purpose, it is used to exalt Allah and admire the beauty of the religion. “Religion, like art, also highlights the emotional aspect of man. This physical world or Nature provides us a deep feeling as well as a means to ecstasy. Both religion and art have engraved their never-ending special effects on human civilization in prehistoric, medieval and modern epoch” (Saeed 227). The calligraphy used are verses from the Quran to remind people of scriptures and prayers. Islamic calligraphy is considered to have developed into an art during the time of Ali Ibn Abi Talib, is the son-in-law of Muhammad and the fourth caliph. In this era Muslims used calligraphy to express freedom and beauty in art and design while still glorifying Allah and praying to him through the scriptures used without the use of idols or symbolism for Allah. “Religion inspires a human being and penetrates every activity of his life. Art is one of the most crucial and dominant mediums of religion. An artist, stimulated by religion, has the astonishing aptitude to characterize a religious subject matter or communication all the way through painting or other art-forms or art-techniques” (Saeed 227) Modern religious art like Christianity depicts Jesus having the form of a human. This form is today widely recognized and depicted as his crucification on the cross that is currently present at churches, worn, and held by many followers. But should there even be a depiction of Jesus? In Exodus there’s a definite verse stating “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.”(Exodus 20:4). This leads to the inquiry of; is simply having a picture of Jesus hanging in a home or a cross with Jesus on it at a church mean that people are practicing idolatry. If this indeed is the case that the actual object becomes the item of worship; then the worshipper is to blame, the worshippers love …show more content…
“While creating beauty in his product the artist or architect always thinks of Allah (God) as the Supreme Beauty (Jamal) and He is Present (Hadir) everywhere. Islamic art keeps us united before the Divine Presence. It paves the manner for the explorer who wishes to enter the ultimate Sanctum-Sanctorum of Divine Revelation. If we take no notice of or demolish this art in the present day crisis ridden world, we without doubt cut Muslims away from their spiritual moorings for the reason that this art is the onward expression of the inner spirit of Islam” (Saeed 229)
Islamic artists demonstrate their spirituality through art but it’s human nature to question a thing you can’t see. So is that why there are so many other religions have created images and idols of deities and Gods to have a physical presence? One must learn from Islamic art that it is not necessary to have a physical presence or a depiction of a God to feel his presence and worship him. In the Qur’an Allah describes all creations and possibilities as being divine. So many artists use calligraphy to communicate with Allah the beauty of His descriptions and creations rather than trying to draw those
The limitation in Islamic art comes from a phenomenon known as aniconism which is the opposition of using images and or symbols of divine beings, prophets or other religious figures. Representation of figures is deemed idolatrous in Islam and thus discussed thoroughly is Hadiths that contain social laws. The three components discussed earlier are integrated into different uses for each component. Geometric patterns and floral motifs led to artistic repetition of designs on the walls of mosques, while scripture and calligraphy are used to decorate architectural structure, prayer rugs, and books. Art in Islam is with purpose, it is used to exalt Allah and admire the beauty of the religion. “Religion, like art, also highlights the emotional aspect of man. This physical world or Nature provides us a deep feeling as well as a means to ecstasy. Both religion and art have engraved their never-ending special effects on human civilization in prehistoric, medieval and modern epoch” (Saeed 227). The calligraphy used are verses from the Quran to remind people of scriptures and prayers. Islamic calligraphy is considered to have developed into an art during the time of Ali Ibn Abi Talib, is the son-in-law of Muhammad and the fourth caliph. In this era Muslims used calligraphy to express freedom and beauty in art and design while still glorifying Allah and praying to him through the scriptures used without the use of idols or symbolism for Allah. “Religion inspires a human being and penetrates every activity of his life. Art is one of the most crucial and dominant mediums of religion. An artist, stimulated by religion, has the astonishing aptitude to characterize a religious subject matter or communication all the way through painting or other art-forms or art-techniques” (Saeed 227) Modern religious art like Christianity depicts Jesus having the form of a human. This form is today widely recognized and depicted as his crucification on the cross that is currently present at churches, worn, and held by many followers. But should there even be a depiction of Jesus? In Exodus there’s a definite verse stating “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.”(Exodus 20:4). This leads to the inquiry of; is simply having a picture of Jesus hanging in a home or a cross with Jesus on it at a church mean that people are practicing idolatry. If this indeed is the case that the actual object becomes the item of worship; then the worshipper is to blame, the worshippers love …show more content…
“While creating beauty in his product the artist or architect always thinks of Allah (God) as the Supreme Beauty (Jamal) and He is Present (Hadir) everywhere. Islamic art keeps us united before the Divine Presence. It paves the manner for the explorer who wishes to enter the ultimate Sanctum-Sanctorum of Divine Revelation. If we take no notice of or demolish this art in the present day crisis ridden world, we without doubt cut Muslims away from their spiritual moorings for the reason that this art is the onward expression of the inner spirit of Islam” (Saeed 229)
Islamic artists demonstrate their spirituality through art but it’s human nature to question a thing you can’t see. So is that why there are so many other religions have created images and idols of deities and Gods to have a physical presence? One must learn from Islamic art that it is not necessary to have a physical presence or a depiction of a God to feel his presence and worship him. In the Qur’an Allah describes all creations and possibilities as being divine. So many artists use calligraphy to communicate with Allah the beauty of His descriptions and creations rather than trying to draw those