Key Elements of Islamic Civilization, Architecture, and Art

The Foundations of Islamic Civilization and Art

Historical Context of Islamic Civilization

The Islamic civilization originated from the momentum of the new religion preached by Muhammad and his ability to unite the nomadic peoples of the Arabian Peninsula. Its architectural definition begins in the Umayyad period, marked by Byzantine influence, where the fundamental model of the mosque (patio, prayer hall, mihrab) was established. The civilization's historical span often concludes with the period of the Ottoman Turks.

Islamic Periods in Spain

In Spain, the most significant periods include the Caliphate period and the Nasrid period. These eras were situated between the period of the Taifa kingdoms and the subsequent rule of the Almoravids and Almohads.

Defining Islamic Architecture

Islamic architecture was heavily influenced by Byzantine art. Its main contributions to the built environment are the development of the city structure and the mosque.

Key Features of Islamic Architecture

The architecture is characterized by:

• Construction Material: Brick used as the primary internal structural element.
• Decoration: Based on coatings for interior decoration, often replacing expensive mosaics.
• Structural Elements: Wall, pillar, and arch used as supporting elements.
• Capitals: Copied from Greco-Roman, Byzantine, and Persian styles.
• Arch Types: Extensive use of the horseshoe arch, multifoil, intersecting, stalactites (muqarnas), semi-circular, and mixtilinear arches.
• Ornamentation:
  • Atauriques: Plating with plant and geometric motifs.
  • Tracery: Interlacing ribbons (geometric patterns).
  • Inscriptions: Calligraphic texts derived from the Koran.
• Mosque Type: Prevalence of the hypostyle (pillared) mosque structure.

The Mosque: Center of Islamic Worship

The Islamic religion requires the faithful to perform prayer at fixed hours, traditionally from the mosque. Since the Koran forbids the worship of images or icons, Islamic worship is fundamentally aniconic.

Essential Elements of a Mosque

The essential elements required by the Koran to appear in a mosque include:

1. Ablution Fountain (Sahn): For the purification of the faithful before prayer.
2. Qibla Wall: The wall oriented towards Mecca, indicated by a niche (the mihrab).
3. Minbar: A pulpit raised above the general level, used by the Imam to lead the prayer.
4. Maqsura: A special, differentiated sector reserved for the prince or ruler to pray.
5. Minaret: A tower used to call the faithful to prayer.

Islamic Manuscripts and Calligraphy

The Koran, the Islamic holy book, is configured as the divine authority governing religious, social, and civil life. Muhammad's teachings, collected in the Koran, emphasized literacy. Calligraphy thus became vital, fostering the development of the calligrapher's figure. Libraries flourished throughout the Muslim world, recognizing books as a powerful tool for disseminating knowledge.

The Importance of Arabic Calligraphy

Arabic calligraphy developed two distinct styles: Kufic and Naskhi.

• Kufic Style: Characterized by rectangular and rectilinear forms, primarily used for religious texts.
• Naskhi Style: A more rounded, cursive, and fluid writing style, used for all kinds of secular and religious works.

Styles and Decoration of Manuscripts

Islamic manuscripts are characterized by the intricate decoration applied by calligraphers. Initially, this involved decorating vowels and drawing rosettes to separate lines. Over time, decoration became more elaborate, filling spaces with floral and arabesque motifs that emphasized the sacred nature of the text.

The primary materials used were paper (introduced via the Chinese) and parchment. Manuscripts were generally bound in leather, often resulting in a square or rectangular shape. The technique of binding, alongside calligraphy, became one of the most important decorative arts of the Islamic world.