Culture and Civilization

**Islamic art** encompasses the visual arts produced in the cultures that historically adhered to Islam. It is not defined by geography or time, but by shared themes, motifs, and aesthetic principles.

Distinctive Features:

• **Calligraphy:** The most revered art form, using elegant script to transcribe the Qur’an or other pious phrases.
• **Aniconism:** The general avoidance of depicting human or animal figures, especially in religious contexts, to prevent idolatry.
• **Arabesque:** Complex, intertwining, and infinitely repeating vegetal and floral designs.
• **Geometric Patterns:** Intricate patterns built from simple shapes (squares, circles) that suggest infinity and the ordered nature of creation.

These features are central to Islamic art due to both theological reasons and the inherent beauty they represent.

Reasons:

• **Aniconism (Avoiding Idolatry):** The avoidance of figurative images channels artistic expression toward abstract, non-representational forms.
• **Mathematical Purity:** Geometric patterns, such as the tessellations found in tiles and woodwork, symbolize the **infinite nature of God** and the ordered, unified structure of the cosmos. [Image of Islamic Calligraphy and geometric patterns]
• **Honoring the Divine Word:** Calligraphy elevates the written word, particularly the Qur’an, transforming religious text into visual art. It is considered the highest form of artistic endeavor.

**Islamic architecture** developed from the 7th century onward, synthesizing elements from Roman, Byzantine, Persian, and local traditions to create a distinctive style defined by functional and spiritual needs.

Key Features and Examples:

• **Domes and Minarets:** Domes signify the vault of heaven, while tall minarets serve as prayer towers.
• **Horseshoe and Pointed Arches:** Used structurally and decoratively.
• **Courtyards (Sahn):** A central open space in mosques and homes, providing light, air, and a place for gathering/ablutions.
• **Notable Examples:** The **Dome of the Rock** (Jerusalem), **The Alhambra Palace** (Spain), **The Sultan Ahmed Mosque** (Blue Mosque, Istanbul), and the **Great Mosque of Djenné** (Mali).

During the “Golden Age” (roughly 8th to 13th centuries), Islamic civilization became a global center for learning, preserving classical knowledge while making groundbreaking original discoveries.

Key Contributions:

• **Mathematics:** The scholar **Al-Khwarizmi** is considered the father of algebra (**al-jabr**) and algorithms. Scholars introduced Arabic numerals (which included the concept of zero) from India to the West.
• **Medicine:** **Ibn Sina** (Avicenna) authored **The Canon of Medicine**, a standard medical text in Europe for centuries. Innovations included surgical techniques, the establishment of the first hospitals (bīmāristān), and recognizing the contagious nature of disease.
• **Astronomy/Optics:** Scholars refined astrolabes, created precise astronomical tables, and corrected Ptolemaic theories. **Ibn al-Haytham** (Alhazen) pioneered the modern scientific method and made major contributions to optics, explaining how vision works.

The role of music is complex and varied within Islamic culture, ranging from highly encouraged to viewed with caution, depending on the context and community.

Different Forms:

• **Qur’an Recitation (Tilāwah):** Considered an act of worship, the melodious recitation of the Qur’an follows strict rules of pronunciation (**Tajwīd**) and is *not* classified as music.
• **Religious Song (Anāshīd):** Songs that focus on religious themes, praising God or the Prophet, often sung without instruments or using simple percussion.
• **Sufi Music:** Music and rhythm (**Samā‘**) are central to the practices of many Sufi orders, used to achieve spiritual ecstasy and closeness to God.
• **Secular Music:** Debates exist over musical instruments and popular music, but traditional forms of instrumental music (like classical Arabic or Persian music) are widely appreciated culturally.

The two major religious holidays are known as the **Eids**, both celebrated with special communal prayer, feasting, gift-giving, and charity.

The Two Eids:

The Islamic calendar, known as the **Hijrī Calendar**, is purely lunar, meaning its months are based on the cycles of the moon, unlike the solar Gregorian calendar.

Key Characteristics:

• **Lunar:** A year has 12 lunar months, totaling about 354 days. This is roughly 11 days shorter than the solar year.
• **Shifting Holidays:** Because the year is shorter, Islamic holidays (like Ramadan and Eid) shift backward relative to the Gregorian calendar, moving through all seasons over time.
• **Start Date:** The calendar began in 622 CE with the Prophet Muhammad’s migration (**Hijra**) from Mecca to Medina, marking the start of the Muslim era.

While the core beliefs and acts of worship are uniform (e.g., the Five Pillars), cultural expressions vary widely due to Islam’s spread across diverse regions, languages, and historical traditions.

Areas of Variation:

• **Food and Cuisine:** While dietary laws (**Halāl**) are universal, the *style* of food differs immensely, from Indonesian spicy cuisine to Moroccan tagines and Turkish kebabs.
• **Dress:** Interpretations of modesty in dress vary significantly, including the colors, styles, and extent of covering for both men and women.
• **Celebrations:** Weddings, births, and even Ramadan fasting rituals incorporate local customs, such as unique songs, traditional clothing, and specific regional dishes.
• **Art Forms:** Architectural styles are heavily influenced by local materials and climate (e.g., mud-brick mosques in West Africa versus tiled mosques in Persia).