DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51148/jaas.2020.6

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPTS OF ISLAMIC

WISDOM AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE FORMATION

OF MOSQUE ARCHITECTURE

Sina Sattari Sarbangholi¹^and Mohammad Reza Pakdelfard^

¹PhD student of Architecture, Architecture Department, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch, Tabriz, Iran

²Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran

ABSTRACT: Man, who is an innate being, needs a place to communicate with his

Creator, which has celestial and spiritual characteristics that make it possible to

experience the ascension of the soul and its connection to the eternal universe. Among

Review Article

the divine religions, Islam has given the most importance to the social aspect of

worship, the place that has made this serious matter possible is of great importance.

PII: S238315532000006-9

Therefore, mosques have a high status, they are the beating heart of Islamic cities and

the most important and best places should be provided for mosques. The first step

taken by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) after the formation of his government in

Medina was the construction of the Quba Mosque, which became the original model of

all mosques. In addition to the Islamic spirit, this mosque also had an Islamic identity

because it had an Islamic body. The religion of Islam reincarnated the Islamic spirit

into the body of Iranian structures upon its arrival in Iran. It is a fact that the newborn

replaced the spirit of buildings and inelegance (Zoroastrian temples and shrines). That

is, the Islamic spirit flowed in the Iranian vessel. Many mosques that were not built on

fire temples and shrines retained the same Iranian body with Islamic spirit, so the

Iranian identity was represented in the form of mosques.

Received: 19 Aug. 2020

Revised: 11 Dec. 2020

Published: 15 Dec. 2020

 Corresponding author:

Sina Sattari Sarbangholi

E-mail: sina.sattari89@gmail.com

KEYWORDS: Islamic Art Wisdom, Mosque, Islam, Iranian Architecture

INTRODUCTION

of the soul. Plato is also one of the thinkers who,

while rejecting the sensory view of art, has a negative

Wisdom literally means a kind of solid work which is

flawless. Wisdom means a verdict, a verdict that is

immutable, and a firm verdict that is inviolable in

rational knowledge. Some people consider wisdom

to mean science and knowledge and a manifestation

of philosophy and mysticism, but it should be known

that wisdom is different from philosophy, but

mysticism can be placed in the realm of wisdom. In

fact, wisdom is based on intuitive and acquired

sciences, and a sage is one who recognizes the truth

and learns the Shari'a sciences, the Tariqa sciences,

and the truth and argument. The wisdom of religion

and law is the God who has no limits. A sage can be a

Muslim, a Christian, a Jew, and a follower of any

religion or profession. Perhaps it can be said that the

sage can master all the sciences and use them to

reach the truth. Socrates is one of those thinkers who

reject knowledge in its sensory sense. According to

him, people should seek virtue and wisdom instead

of personal interests. In fact, Socrates' view of

wisdom is insight into the truth that is good for

human beings and leads to the health and harmony

view. He believes that the artist imitates nature with

a sensory vision. Plato's view of wisdom is a kind of

deep knowledge of the universe and truth. Aristotle,

a student of Plato's school, struggles with sensory

perceptions like his professors, and acquires the

concept of wisdom in this path. In fact, Aristotle

equates wisdom and understanding of the

supernatural. Aristotle believes that "a philosopher

or lover of wisdom is one who seeks knowledge

about the ultimate cause and nature of things and

reality and wants knowledge for knowledge itself. In

his view, wisdom discusses the principles and

primary causes of things, and therefore general

knowledge is at the highest level, and wisdom is the

farthest science from the senses, the most abstract,

and therefore the most difficult science, since it

requires the most thought". Ibn Sina considers

wisdom mainly as a way to understand the truth of

facts and believes that through it, man achieves

everything in the world. Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi, the

founder of theoretical mysticism, considers the

evolution of the soul. Mulla Sadra, the philosopher

2020 SCIENCELINE

Citation: Sattari Sarbangholi S and Pakdelfard MR

(2020). Understanding the concepts of Islamic wisdom

and its effects on the formation of mosque architecture. J.

Art Arch. Stud., 9 (2): 39-44.

Journal of Art and Architecture Studies

ISSN 2383-1553

JAAS

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51148/jaas.2020.6

J. Art Arch. Stud. 9(2): 39-44, Dec 15, 2020

Sattari Sarbangholi and Pakdelfard, 2020

of the reconciliation of reason and love, considers

Islamic architecture; the border of art

wisdom as a special method that leads the human and spirituality

soul to excellence in order to achieve the highest

degrees of happiness.

Few people can be found who set foot on an

Islamic building and do not drown in its infinite

space. They are all manifestations of the

supernatural in nature. In Islamic art, nothing

The wisdom of Islamic architecture

Spiritual teachings and cultural beliefs are the should separate the distance between man and the

foundation of a valuable and dynamic architecture. unseen presence of God. That is why the direction of

Therefore, recognizing the glorious achievements of mosques in any part of the world is towards the

Islamic architecture will not be possible without Qaba. That is, the direction is beyond the place

knowing the basics of thought and social where it is built. Thus the concept of time for such a

infrastructure. Those who unconsciously call Islamic building whose direction is out of place is different

architecture independent of spirituality and wisdom, from countable time. This is where Islamic art is tied

subconsciously block the path of its progress and to spirituality [6].

excellence. In order to better understand this

evolutionary process, it should be borne in mind that

"the ancient and mysterious architecture of Iran

The wisdom of mosque architecture

Architecture is one of the Islamic arts that

cannot be understood without the literature and incorporates the identity characteristics of Islam and

culture of the people who retained its clay and color" has almost all the characteristics of religious art. In

[1, 2].

Islamic lands, houses were built to suit the short life

of human beings. For the architecture of houses,

more attention was paid to the logical functions of

Pure Iranian architecture and wisdom

Islamic architecture is one of the greatest the building than to its immortality, and perhaps

manifestations of the emergence of an artistic truth this is why the houses of the past are remained less,

in the material body. Islamic architecture, as one of except for a few that are also spiritually protected,

the largest branches of Islamic art, has been able to such as Fatimah's house (PBUH) in Medina or the

institutionalize a large part of the characteristics of house of Imam Ali (PBUH) in Kufa, which again has

Islamic art in the context of time and during been maintained by the spiritual wisdom of the

different periods. Historically, architecture is the building. But the houses of God have been separated

first art that adapts its ability to artistic concepts and from this. God Himself is eternal, so His place of

is used by Muslims. The acceptance of Muslims to worship must also be eternal. For this reason, in

this art caused it to introduce Islamic religious Islam, the architecture of mosques has been given

concepts as the only Islamic for years art. This went much importance and the architecture of mosques is

so far that for most people, when hearing the word adorned with the most beautiful arts. In fact,

Islamic art, the first thing that comes to mind is mosques are a manifestation of Islamic art [7].

Islamic architecture [4].

Although many other methods of Islamic

Judicial view of the architecture of God's

architecture have been greatly influenced by houses

indigenous and historical characteristics, Iranian

Islamic art is a legal art. The only knowledge

Islamic architecture is one of the most important that can understand and express Islamic art is

and successful schools of Islamic architecture. wisdom. Architecture and related decorations have a

Because over the years, it has shown an upward very strong place in Islamic arts. The basis of Islamic

trend and an evolutionary process of happiness. The architecture is based on wisdom. The wisdom of

methods of Iranian architecture have each Islamic architecture, especially the architecture of

complemented the methods of their predecessors mosques, can be studied in both external and

and have evolved over the years without the slightest internal dimensions. All the requirements and

disturbance. The geographical location of Iran has functions of mosques are wise both outwardly and

been very effective in this regard because on one inwardly. It is also possible to observe the outward

hand, Iranians were among the first tribes to convert and inward wisdom of the architecture of mosques

to Islam and on the other hand, many other nations in terms of the use of the symbol, physical and

and countries have achieved this success through functional functions, and the outward and inward

Iran. The expansion of geography and cultural characteristics of the constituent parts of the

richness of the Iranian people has also been very building. The historical course of mosque

effective in this regard [5].

J Art Arch Stud. 9(2): 39-44, 2020

architecture itself illuminates the existence of relax in the azure space of the mosque, is a tool to

wisdom in its transcendent meaning [8, 9].

manifest the esoteric meaning of the mosque. The

inscriptions always remind the praying man of God

Mosque, the manifestation of the wisdom and manifest the true meaning of the Qur'an in his

of Islamic art

mind so that he understands the incomparable

Muslim artisans and artists, due to the spiritual power of God. The patterns and decorations create a

function of the mosque, use all their efforts and harmonious melody and rhythm that is very useful

creativity to make the mosque more beautiful and for understanding the spiritual state of the mosque.

stronger. Paying attention to the philosophy of the In general, it should be acknowledged that mosques

mosque and its status in the sight of God caused are in the highest position of Islamic art and have

artists to pay special attention to this holy place. Due always occupied the minds of a large number of

to the main function of the mosque, which is the artists and put their taste, initiative and creativity

closeness of the servant to the Creator, it is very into action, so that the greatest masterpieces of

necessary to pay attention to the philosophical Islamic art or mosques or arts themselves are

principles and foundations of Islamic art. As stated affiliated with Islamic mosques.

in the discussion of sacred art, Islamic art, in

addition to the artist's freedom to use his creativity,

Judgmental view on the architecture of

has strict limits and rules that not only do not block God's houses

the way for the Muslim artist; They rather, open the

Islamic art is a legal art. The only knowledge

window to a world that is much more beautiful and that can understand and express Islamic art is

valuable than the tangible world. Early Islamic wisdom. Architecture and related decorations have a

mosques were very simple and unpretentious very strong place in Islamic arts. The basis of Islamic

mosques with a rectangular plan and a columned architecture is based on wisdom. The wisdom of

nave without any decoration, but with the growth Islamic architecture, especially the architecture of

and geographical development of Islam and the mosques, can be studied in both external and

creation of social security and stability in the Islamic internal dimensions. All the requirements and

regions and the growth and prosperity of its functions of mosques are wise both outwardly and

economy, elegant decorations were added to the inwardly. It is also possible to observe the outward

structure of the mosques which helped a lot in and inward wisdom of the architecture of mosques

expressing the esoteric meaning of the mosque in the in terms of the use of the symbolic, physical and

form of its material appearance. Special attention to operational functions, and the outward and inward

mosques and their decorations caused mosques to characteristics of the constituents of the building.

shine as a jewel in Islamic art. However, issues such The historical course of mosque architecture itself

as climatic conditions, geographical location and illuminates the existence of wisdom in its

cultural conditions prevailing in each region created transcendent meaning.

a special form of mosque architecture.

The structure of the mosque is designed and

built in an excellent and spiritual way. The floor of

Sacred art

Sacred art is an art that, in addition to having a

the mosque is paved with the most beautiful and religious spirit and content, has a religious body and

best stones. The use of decorations including form, that is, it also has a religious identity. The

Marquetry tiles, seven-color and enamel tiles, and facade is built in such a way that it is not different

the use of beautiful Stuccos on the walls of from other non-religious arts. Burckhardt

courtyards and Shabestans are reminiscent of God's exaggerates the symbolism of sacred art and believes

paradise. The use of the best decorations in the his explanation. Sacred art has a special expression

sanctuary of the mosque, the most pioneering part both in terms of form and meaning, and handicrafts

towards the Kaaba of God, shows its importance are one of the fields of communication of this form

and, in simpler language, a collection of artistic and meaning. Therefore, a religious theme that is

creations in the construction of the house of God. All realistic, such as Renaissance art, cannot be a

this is to create a ground for the discovery of religious art because it lacks cryptography and

intuition so that the Muslim man can feel peace and specific stylistic allusions; it gives meaning to

beauty in the house of God. Gathering Quranic religious art [10].

books in a very concise and effective way with Kufic,

Thuluth and Naskh scripts, which invites the eye to

Sattari Sarbangholi and Pakdelfard, 2020

A) Characteristics of sacred art:

the outer space with an element called the courtyard.

Art is like a strong weapon in the hands of The introverted space pays attention to the inside

believers that has the power of transformation and from all sides.

can move people and make them strive to move [11].

• True art is directive.

Mosque architecture from the beginning of

Islam (when the Messenger of God built the first

mosque) to the present time and also mosques with

• Moves and glides people towards infinity

• True art is committed and responsible to social new architecture have more or less had these

currents

• Does not remain indifferent to oppression

manifestations of wisdom. Sometimes these

manifestations of wisdom are highlighted, and

• Makes a person move against the oppressors sometimes diminished, which depends on the

and exploiters

political, social and economic conditions of society.

• True art seeks to fill social gaps

• True art helps us to develop our talents

C) Judicial view of the appearance and

• Committed art tries to find a way in which a interior of the house of God:

person achieves happiness

The mosque is a manifestation of intuition.

• Committed art creates creation, Love of God Intuition is the perfect truth that manifests itself in

revives love for people in hearts.

various forms. This semantic intuition can be seen in

the faces of many pious people. There are semantic

• Eliminates anger and hatred

• Committed art is creative and reveals the beauties in behavior and speech that give all the

hidden [12].

scent of the perfection of truth, and this perfection

certainly brings beauty with it, because every truth is

B) The course of wisdom in the beautiful. In fact, art is a kind of truth since truth is

architecture of the house of God:

always accompanied by beauty. Of course, a perfect

The art of architecture, especially the truth is beautiful. In other words, the perfection of

architecture of the mosque, has always had great truth is beautiful.

wisdom throughout history. As mentioned in the

previous sections, in a general summary, the

D) Judicial view on the functions of the

manifestations of wisdom in architectural works can house of God:

be divided as follows:

One of the manifestations of wisdom in the

1- Meeting human needs to create a shelter for structure of architectural buildings is their function.

life and a place for solitude and worship and other The existence of the function of the building and

needs;

2- Paying attention to the comprehensiveness of sign of a very wide wisdom in the history of human

the building according to human needs; architecture. Man has always sought to meet his

thinking about meeting the existing needs has been a

3- Paying attention to the element of democracy, needs, one of these needs is architecture and shelter.

i.e. having a human scale in different elements of From the creation of man until now, he has sought

architecture;

to meet needs and achieve peace and comfort and

4- Paying attention to the element of self- has tried in this way. The construction of temples

sufficiency, meaning that the architect and builder and shrines is also one of the inherent and natural

try to provide the required materials from the needs of human beings; Because man has a God-

nearest places and at the lowest price.

seeking nature and seeks to reach the truth. So to

5 - Avoiding futility in the sense that the meet this need, he worships God. The god of man

architect and builder try to avoid useless elements was once made of stone and wood, once in the realm

and components. In fact, this principle of of stars and celestial bodies, and once sought among

architecture existed before Islam and has also been the myths. But eventually, with the advent of the

considered after Islam.

prophets and their guidance, the man found the true

6- Module, which was used to observe the God, that perfect truth, thus he needed a place to

proportions in classical Greek and Roman worship. Of course, temples existed before the

architecture, and is a means of adjusting the advent of the prophets and among all tribes, and this

dimensions, size and geometry of the architectural issue itself indicates the natural need of man to

guide in ensuring relations and principled harmony.

worship, and the God-seeking nature of man always

7- Introversion means placing architectural seeks the truth. Therefore, the need led to the

organs and constructing external walls, which construction of temples. With the advent of Islam,

enables the direct connection of the building with the need for a place to hold prayers and worship God

J Art Arch Stud. 9(2): 39-44, 2020

led to the construction of the first mosque in Medina CONCLUSION

by the Holy Prophet.

Grand mosques were the best mosques in any The relics and buildings left over from the behavior

city. These mosques were located in the city center of their predecessors are the most useful tools in re-

and most of them were built next to the bazaar and reading

the

spiritual

and

epistemological

the Government House. The most important foundations of Islamic architecture. Iranian

function of the grand mosques of each city was to architecture is the result of the spiritual view of our

hold Friday prayers. In every city, prayers were held benevolent ancestors, so any time these works are

only on Friday noon at the Grand Mosque. So these re-examined, it can pave the way for the discovery of

mosques were mostly built in terms of size, since hidden concepts in its body; Concepts that have

they could accommodate

a large number of emerged from Iranian and Islamic spiritual

worshipers, depending on the city in which they are teachings and have been expanded in material form.

located. The courtyard of the Grand Mosque was an One of the most important teachings of Islamic

open space that, in addition to accommodating a architecture is annihilation in God. The connection

large number of worshipers, made the worshiper feel between the arts is a field that can lead the various

closer to the sky and remember the extent of divine components of the universe to a transcendent unity.

mercy.

In the golden age of Islamic architecture in Iran, this

One of the most important functions of mosques unity and harmony has not crystallized in the ideal

is the educational function. In Islam, there has state. For example, we can refer to the construction

always been a lot of emphasis on education and of Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque in Isfahan. In this

training, and Muslims have paid attention to this mosque, what we find in painting is what we see in

issue since the early years of Islam. The mosque has the ruling Eslimi scripts, and what is seen in

been the main base of education in Islamic society. appearance is what is felt inside the walls. Most

After or before the daily prayers, question-and- important of all, what is seen inside the building is

answer sessions were held in mosques, and young the same as what we see outside.

Muslims sat around the master and used his lessons.

With the passage of time and the growth and

development of Islamic societies, as well as the

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no

greater attention of Muslims to education, these competing interests.

sessions were transferred to schools so that the

resulting controversies of those circles of education

would not disturb the worshipers.

REFERENCES

One of the important functions of mosques is its

social work function. From the beginning of Islam

until now, the mosque was the place and home of

hope for the needy, the afflicted and the travelers

who were strangers in that city. For this purpose,

places were built in many local mosques to help this

group of people. Using verses with Quranic

meanings and the theme of charity and helping the

needy in the form of inscriptions in every corner of

the mosque is a kind of response to this need of

society and is itself a manifestation of wisdom in

building Islamic mosques. The existence of a stone

pool of water in the center of the courtyard of the

mosque for purification and ablution shows the

existence of great wisdom in the construction of the

components of the mosque. This pool of water, in

addition to providing the water needed for ablution,

is a symbol of purity and clarity of the heart of the

worshiper. Water is a sign of purity and mercy, the

presence of which adds to the sanctity and purity of

the mosque.

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