UNIT 1 THE BIRTH OF ISLAM AND ITS SPREAD ACROSS

COUNTRIES
Around the year 610 , Mohammed , a native of the thriving commercial centre of Makkah received a message from God ( Allah) through the angel Gabriel) As more revealations asked him to proclaim the oneness of God universally, the Prophet Mohammeds following grew. In 622, learning of an assassination plot against him the prophet led his followers to the town of Yatrib, which was later named Madinat Al Nabi ( City of the prophet)and now known simply as Medinah.This was Hijrah or migration which marks the beginning of the Islamic Calender. Within the next few years several battles took place between the followers of Prophet and the pagans of Makkah.by 628 when Madinah was entirely under the hands of the Muslims the prophet had unified the tribes so successfully that he and his followers entered Makkah without blood shed. Less than 100years of the birth of Islam , the Islamic Empire extended from Spain to parts of India and China.

PRINCIPLES OF ISLAM
The most important concept of the Islamic system is the unity of Godhead. The unity of godhead is calledas Tawhid( oneness of God) in Arabic. It is the backbone of Islam and of all Islamic principles. It is the basis of unification of mankind and the only acceptable way for God for the progress and salvation of human civilisation , establishing justice, dignity and freedom for all.

INFLUENCES ON ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

Islamic Architecture has encompassed a wide range of both secular and religious styles from the foundation of Islam to the present day. Islamic Architectural style developed soon after the time of the prophet mohammed, developing from Roman, Egyptian,Byzantine and Persian /Sassanid models.

WHAT DOES ONE MEAN BY ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE?

The word Islamic is not defining religious belief or quality , it is a word defining a special kind of Architecture , that architecture of a civilisation that reflects or is determined by the special qualities inherent in Islam as a cultural phenomenon.

EVOLUTION OF THE BUILDING TYPES FROM AN ARAB HOUSE

In the early days of Islam ( early 7th century)the original muslim community had no/ specific place of prayer and the arrangements for communal worship were informal.Differentiating spaces and attributing it with a special meaning is a universal feature of human culture and societies.Therefore the evolution of a mosque and other structures such as palaces or madrasas evolved from the planning of an Arab house.

THE HOUSE
The most striking feature of all Islamic architecture is the focus on interior space as opposed to the outside or facade. The most of the focus of the innerspace is in the Muslim house.Rectangular dwelling units are organized around an inner courtyard. The faade of this house offers high windowless walls interrupted only by single low door.

ADAPTATIONS TO VARIOUS FUNCTIONS

Because of the lack of emphasis on external appearance in Islamic Architecture , a structure mosque for example might be hidden from view by secondary , adjacent buildings. If the faade is visible , rarely the faade gives any indication of structures size,shape or function. Islamic Architecture must be experienced by being entered and seen from within. The thing to be noted in Islamic Architecture , is the absence of specific Architectural forms for specific functions. Most forms in Islamic Architecture can be adapted to a variety of purposes. In addition structures for a specific function might assume a variety of forms.The four Iwan ( cloister) design has been used for palaces, mosques,schools, caravan serai( way station for travelers and their animals) and private homes. In general Islamic Architecture is given to hiding its principal features behind not so revealing exterior. It is an Architecture that does not change its form easily,for functional demands, but rather tends to adapt functions to preconceived forms. Unlike traditional European structures Islamic buildings rarely have displayed an inherent directional or axial quality. Ex Temple of Baal at Syria, In this example the structure is approached from a blank longer side walls than from the decorated walls at narrow ends

LESS BALANCE/SYMMETRICAL ARRANGEMENT IN PLANNING RESIDENCES AND PALACES

The Islamic structures does not strive for symmetry as that of European structures.Thus it is easy to make additions to original plans for Islamic structures .For example, as families grow it is simple to add new dwellings to the traditional courtyard complex.So that the whole complex looks like a maze. Elements Enclosed space, defined by walls,arcades and vaults are the important elements of Islamic Architecture. In general with the exception of the dome and entrance portal decoration in Islamic Architecture is reserved for the articulation and embellishment of the Interior.

EX : ALHAMBRA AT GRANADA IN SPAIN

One of the most famous examples of Islamic Architecture, the Alhambra was built in 14th century and served as the royal palace for the caliph. The plan consists of two great inner courts set at right angles to each other.The courts of the Alhambra leads to halls, and the halls to apartments, each in turn giving away to smaller courts and baths. All these were richly dressed in geometric designs of stucco, ceramic and wood. Though it is a royal palace it was given no center of focus to emphasise power. Instead it is a maze of courtyards, of passages and corridors of water basins and canals that link the open and covered spaces.

MOSQUE , MADRASA AND CARAVAN SERAI.

Mosques as places for religious prostration and ethical learning took on a formal educational role with circles of religious scholars and students gathered to study quran, Hadith, law etc. For instance Fatimad Imam Caliphs established Al Azhar both as a mosque as well as a place for learning. Some mosques such as those of Baghdad,Isafahan,Mashad,Damascus and Cairo became major centres of learning for students from all over the muslim world. Needless to say the above impacted the form and function of the mosque. Rapid anciliary buildings evolved such as madrasas,libraries , residence quarters etc. The multiplicity of the mosque function is evident , and reached its pinnacle in the Ottoman complex th known as Kulliye, The majestic Suliman Kulliyae ( 16 century) in Istanbul is by the famous Architect Sinan. It consisted of very large congregational mosque, five madrasas, a hospital and medical school, a hostel, a caravan serai, a public bath and fountain, housing for mosque teachers and care takers , imperial mausoleums and cemetry. Many of the architectural features of a mosque such as domes , minarets,minbar ect which became the essential were not present in prototype mosque of Medina . Except for the direction for prayer or qibla , Architectural features of the mosque were rather defined by extra religious factors such as influence of cultures, traditions, environments,patrons, materials and technology etc.

FUNCTIONAL TYPOLOGY OF ISLAMIC STRUCTURES

Structures for prayer: neighborhood mosque (masjid). congregational mosque (jami or masjid jami). prayer enclosure (musalla or namaz-gah). Minaret ( Tower to call for prayer)

Structures for religious education religious college (madrasa).

Memorial structures: tomb memorial mausoleum (rauza) with charitable functions attached. funerary garden or enclosure (ar rauza).

Residential The palaces for the royal house hold

Way side resting inns Place of rest on way side for travelers-Caravan serai

Commercial The Bazaar-The places for selling and buying goods

EVOLUTION OF MOSQUES
MORPHOLOGICAL CATEGORIES OF THE MOSQUE.
The mosque plan was developed through a process of change and modification resulting in the emergence of four main forms reflecting the main periods of Islamic attainment. The key building type of the faith was developed form the scheme of an Arab house, with a pillared verandah around an open courtyard. The original intention was not to provide any specific structure, for devotional purposes, as prayer could be performed in the open air with nothing between the devotee and the God. But it was natural for man for an enclosed building where worship could be conducted in an appropriate environment ,away from the distractions of everyday life.

TYPE 1 HYPOSTYLE MOSQUE

Earliest and most spread , this had the form of Hypostyle hall consisiting of a main hall composed of a number of a number of parallel aisles defined by arcades of columns and pillars. The row of pillars and its extension in all directions emphasizes the limitlessness of the space,a symbol of infinity of the divine. The area near the mihrab is defined by special treatment emphasizing its sanctity. The use of the dome in the square in front of the mihrab and widening of the nave are some of the main spatial arrangements introduced for this purpose.Further demarcation of the area is defined by some stucco, floral, geometric and calligraphic decoration with intended meditation messages. Starting from Medina it entered North Africa,Sicily and Persia and countries of South Asia.
Ex: Hypostyle Hall of the Mosque of the Umayyad, Damascus. Ex: Hypostyle Hall of the Mosque of Cordoba, Spain

TYPE 2- I WAN MOSQUE

Under the patronage of the Suljuq princes, Iran (Persia) developed a new style of mosque known as Iwan mosque. There was a Sahn or courtyard and on four sides has iwans ( cloisters).Here a high vaulted hall was built to function as a great entrance leading to the sanctuary, or to the sahn. The roof of the iwan is vaulted and commonly covered with muqarnas. The first establishment of this style is in about 890. Ex : Masjid I Jami , Isafahan, the first four Iwan Mosque.

TYPE 3 DOMED MOSQUE

Under the Ottomans the mosque evolved from the traditionally horizontal space to a vertical structure rising into the sky through its domed roof , which was arranged in a number of small domes rising progressively like steps towards the main dome of the central nave. In this type the infinity is expresses through verticality and hence the dome became the dominating skyline of the mosques probably influenced by HAggia Sofia. Further this mosque stressed the main dome and onfirmed the symbol of one God.( through it interior space which is perceived as one unit). Variety of Ottoman Mosques:There was variety in Ottoman mosques based on the style and number of domes employed.Ex: Suleymaniya Mosque (1549-1557) master piece of Sinan. The second figure of the Ottoman mosque is the pointed slender minaret which differs from the rest of the muslim world.

TYPE 4 MOGHUL MOSQUES

Moghul mosques are a successful combination of all the above styles, consisted of a Hypostyle hall for rituals , covered with flat roof incorporating large onion shaped dome and large porch recalling the Persian Iwan as seen in the Delhis Jami Masjid.( 1644-1658)

THE ELEMENTS OF A TYPICAL MOSQUE IN INDIA

There was a rectangular open space or sahn , the four sides being enclosed by pillared verandahs or iwans with a fountain tank in the centre for ablutions. One of the cloisters of the courtyard were expanded into a pillared hall or sanctuary, with a wall at the back containing the recessed alcove or mihrab indicating qibla the direction of the prayer .On the right side of the mihrab stands the minbar or pulpit . An elevated platform from where muezzin calls for prayer ,usually takes the form of the minaret. The sanctuary portion where the minbar was kept eventually became the principal feature . To produce the . structural effect two important elements were added to the sanctuary.A screen was thrown across in the front to form the sanctuary faade and a dome was rised from the nave portion of the sanctuary.

MADRASA
For more the three centuries muslims used the mosque for praying as well as for learning.Gradually it was extended to a house where the teacher was living especially in Persia and was called as Madrassa During the eleventh century madrassa emerged as a separate building often adjoining a mosque. The schools taught scientific subjects besides theology closely resembling a modern university. There were generally four types of madrassas based on the taught subjects and the levels attained . Regular madrassas including taught subjects like science , religion an language.They were equivalent to primary schools,which enabled them to higher madrassas. Darulkarra was a high school teaching proficiency in Arabic and reading and reciting quran. Darul hadis madrassa was specialized in teaching the science of Hadith and consisted of authentic sayings of the prophet mohammed. Medical Madrassa did not appear till the reign of Sulyman the magnificient.. Madrassa was founded and maintained by prince , sultan and the nobles who could meet to afford the expenses for free education.

Plan of Sultan suleyman Pasha Madrassa

Karatay Madrassa plan

View of Mehmet Affendi Madrassa

DEVELOPMENT OF MADRASSA
Initially the Madrassa was based iwan planning as the of the seljuq of Anatolia.Such plan consisted of courtyards to which iwans were opened By the thirteenth century there was a shift from courtyard planning to a closed structure, where the iwan opened into a central space which was surmounted by a dome and pierced by windows.Ex : Karatay Madrassa(Konya -1251). Even though they continued to have this enclosed iwan plan the ottomans eventually returned to the open courtyard type of planning as the students of learning needed an open and secure place for learning. This evolved in the subsequent madrassas which were rectangular or square in plan where the cells opened into a central courtyard. Suleyman Pasha Madrassa is considered as the embryo of the three siden plan( u shaped) which consisted of four cells arranged around the three sides of the open courtyard and the fourth side was left empty. Another feature was the Dershane a domed room , the class room identified by its large size and projection in the behind wall. The three sided plan was refined in the subsequent madrassas.Madrassa of typical plan was that of the Mehmet Affendi Madrassa.,Istanbul.In madrassas cells and arcades were covered by domes and furnished with windows and provided with a chimney for winter.A number of common toilets and bath rooms were provided with a fountain at centre were provided for students. The exterior was simple walls whereas the interior is decorated with tiles,bricks and muqarnas.

CARAVAN SERAI
Caravanserai was a roadside inn where travelers could rest and recover from the days journey. Caravanserais supported the flow of commerce, information and people across the network of trade routes covering Asia,North Africa and South Eastern Europe. Most typically caravan serai was a building with a square or rectangular walled exterior with a single portal wide enough to permit large or heavily laden beats such as camels to enter. The courtyard was always open to sky , and the inside walls of the enclosure were fitted with a number of identical stalls , bays , niches or chambers to acommodate merchants and their servants , animals and merchandise. It contained mosque,shops,stable,barn and sleeping rooms

Caravan serais provided water for human and animal consumption, washing and ritual ablutions.They also kept fodder for animals and had shops for travellers where they could acquire new supplies aravan serais In addition there were shops where the merchants could dispose some of their goods
They are like modernday service stations along the roadways but free of service.

Khan As ad Pasha, Damascus,Syria.

Sample floor plan of Caravan serai

Caravanserai of Shah Abbas, now a hotel, in Isfahan.

EX:KHAN ASAD PASHA

It is the largest khan in the old city of Damacus covering an area of 2500 square meters situated along a souq and named after Asad Pasha the governor of Damascus. Th building followed a typical Ottoman khan layout with two floors onto a central courtyard. Khan Asad is entered from Suq al Buzuriiyah through a monumental gateway decorated with stone carvings and roofed by muqarnas semidome. The entrance leads to a square shaped courtyard with old shopson the ground floor.The second floor accessible by a staircase located at the right of the main entrance was used mainly for lodging and has eighty rooms arranged along a gallery facing the courtyard The space of the central courtyard is divided into nine square modules, where each module is covered with a dome raised on a drum pierced with twenty windows.The domes are supported by pendants that transfer the load on to four piers and to the courtyard walls.

The khan is built with alternating courses of basalt and limestone.Until its restoration in 1990,it was used for manufacturing and storage. Today it is designated as tourist site and hosts the Natural History museum of Damascus.

BAZAAR
At a later stage the charitable function of Caravan serais , ceased to exist and were converted to whole sale markets selling particular type of goods. They are like modern day service stations along the roadways but free of service. The second major commercial building is called the bazaar or bedesten.The word comes from Bezetan which means a cloth market, a market selling textiles. The Bedesten evolved around the traditional suq neighboring the main mosque. It is a covered hall raised on pillars and surmounted by domes. It is a longitudinal building two bay or three bay wide and upto eight bay long pierced with two accessible gates. Bedesten provided a safe and protected place for merchants, according to kuran like primitive banks, of safe keeping of their goods. Bedesten was usually locked at nights and was protected by caretakers.(security men) This market hall where goods are sold are aligned in large wooden crates with lids open during business hours and closed at the end of the day. These run along both side walls allowing pedestrian movement in the middle. Good such as silk, jewellery and spices and other valuable products are sold here. Sometimes shops were opened along the external walls of the bedesten providing more commercial space as seen in Buyuk Bedesten built in Istanbul in 1470 which had 44 shpping cells inside and 64 outside. The example of Kapali carsi which consists of two market halls of Mehmud II and Suleiman the magnificient shows that the bedesten cover an area of up to 30 hectares incorporating numerous shopping alleys and khans.

EVOLUTION OF MOUSOLEUM /TOMB

Under the Seljuk patronage Seljuk patronage the mausoleum saw considerable patronage. This type of building evolved from early funerary monuments which were first erected to honour the Ummayad rulers in the 8th century. However under Saljuks it took a new dimension hosting the remains of important people not only rulers but also religious scholars. Seljuk Mausoleums display great diversity of forms involving octagonal,cylindrical(also called as tower) and square shaped topped with the dome. (mainly Persia) or conical roof (especially Anatolia) These monuments can be found free standing in cemeteries or attached to particular buildings connected with the deceased such as mosques or Madrassas. Due to the religious, social or political importance of the people buried in these tombs , the mausoleums were often decorated with symbolic designs depicting paradise awaiting the soul of the founder . Large amount of Calligraphic inscriptions from the quran ,connected with death and paradise and sometimes good life and works of the deceased were also expressed.

CYLINDRICAL
In Central Asia and Persia the earliest Saljuq towers were cylindrical type which seem to be derived from the earlier tower tombs found in this area.(Iran)The example shown is a monument built for Shams Al Maali Qabus 978-1012 consisting of a cylinder supported by 10 butresses planned by rotating a square five tomes with in the circle, and had a conical roof.

SQUARE MOUSOLEUMS
As for as the square mausoleums , the Seljuqs derived from the example especially the tomb of Ismail ,the Samanid ruler at Bukara. This was built built in square plan supported by semi circular buttresses at corners and domed roof with dog teeth dcor and four small projections (dome lets) were planted at the corner of the roofs. The tomb is famous for its brick decoration which exceeded in quality and richness those found in Grreat Mosque of Samarra. Octagonal and Cylindrical shapes topped with conical roof were the most popular in Anatolia.The famous octagonal museum with twelve sides is the Doner Kumbet tomb built around 1275. It consists of two storeys the lower floor the burial place while the upper floor is a prayer room. The most important feature of the building is its baroque style ornaments which decorate the exterior of the first floor.

THE TOMB IN INDIA

The art of building tombs in India eventually produced some of the most superb examples.Only the pyramid of pharaohs and few other funerary monuments have excelled in size and architectural splendor of the Islamic mosques in India. The tomb usually consists of a single compartment or tomb chamber known as Huzrah or Estanah in the centre of which is the cenotaph or Zarih , the whole structure is roofed by a dome.In the ground underneath the building there is a crypt which is the mortuary chamber called the maqbara or taqana, with the grave or qabr in the middle.

In the western wall of the tomb chamber there is generally a mihrab, but some of the larger mausoleums also include a mosque in a separate building the whole contained in a single enclosure called rauza, after the garden ( ar rauza )at Medina in whichenshrined the prophets tomb

MINARET
Tower in general which is an edifice taller than its wide and was devised in problems of defense and communication and has represented dominance and power. In throughout history there has been an an association between elevation and height with the concept of superiority ,divinity and supreme power.

ORIGIN
In the case of the Islamic civilization, the architectural shape which clearly indicates the presence of Islam is the minaret. It is associated with the calling the faithful for the prayer.is almost as ancient as Prophets settlement in Medina, originally took place in the streets and from the highest roof of the neighboring houses. Like the mosque not only as a place for praying, it also became a social centre, a place for teaching., a court of justice a space for financial transactions , an area for administrative organization. In response to this principle of meeting the communitys needs minaret also arose as a efficient method of calling the faithful. So Minaret stands as a symbol for multiplicity of principles , a system of values, of knowledge and tradition.Technical problems , forced to adopt specific shapes.These led to ever taller , more beautiful , more significant minarets. As the mosques grew minarets also grew limited only by conditions prevailing in the surrounding environment. But as the minaret unified the various social,political and religious elements common to the unifying forces of Islam it never lost the primary function to gather the members of the community. The Ktubiya, which together with the Tinamal mosque is an emblem of the Almohade civilization which provided so much knowledge and development for the humanity.

CHARACTER OF ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE IN TERMS OF STRUCTURE

MATERIALS AND METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION

POINTED ARCH AND DOMES

The Islamic architecture was in general arcuated system of construction . Characteristic feature in Muslim Architecture is the use of the pointed arch and horse shoe arch. The origin of arch can be traced back to the Byzantium and Sassanid Empire. The use of pointed arch is as typical of Islamic Architecture as it was for Gothic. Most masonry structures were in arched , vaulted or dome forms continuing the roman and byzantine building tradtions. Cements, plaster and stucco were used for bas- relief carving and higly decorative muqarna technique employed in domes , vaults and arches . Muqarnas take the form of small pointed arches , stacked in tiers projecting on the underside of arches, vaults and domes . Muqarnas is the Arabic word for stalactite vault , developed around the middle of 10th century in north eastern iran .It involves three dimensional architectural decorations composed of niche like elements arranged in tiers.

Lead working ,bronze casting and the use of iron were well established techniques. Domes , roofs and steeples were often weathered in lead . Iron was used in tie bars ,and grills. Decorative marble slabs,grills and plate tracery and mosaics were common place. Timber structures were used in forested areas such as Indonasia and Malaya, including the construction of early domes in timber.

MATERIALS
Brick making was universal in alluvial planes. In stone bearing areas the art of selecting and quarrying stone was established. Marble was available due to trade if not available locally. A rich variety of stones is found in areas from Asia minor and Egypt to northern India and techniques of working them and building in masonry has highly developed before the advent of Islam.

CHARACTER OF ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE IN TERMS OF MATERIALS AND METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION-SPECIFIC TO INDIA. ARCUATED SYSTEM
The indigenous Architecture of India was of Trabeated order. Whereas Islamic Architecture uses the arch for bridging a space and hence known as arcuated system, while the traditional building style is trabeated the use of pillars and beams. The cementing agent in the form of mortar was introduced by the Islamic people , so for the first time moratar masonry was used in Indian Construction. Islamic Architecture brought scientific principles in Construction derived from their own experience or those of other civilisations.As a result ,material wer economised and wider range of flexibility was given to the builders art. Islamic Architecture also saw the introduction of domes in the skyline. Before the first Islamic building arose in India the style had already passed through its experimental stages in other countries.The great mosques of cairo, Baghdad , Cordoba,Damascu s had been in existence since considerable time. So India was in a position to reproduce structures of this character.

STONE MASONRY
The real excellance of Indo Islamic Architecture was due to the following factors. The Indian craftsmen were unequalled in the art of constructing with stone . These workmen played with the material magnificently ,treated the temples more structural than architecture. Though the Islamic Architecture in the regions including Persia and Arabia were adopting Brick and rubble for building purposes, the Indian masons who were skilled already in stone masonry constructed the buildings entirely of stone. This was maintained through the entire course of the period.

TRUE DOMES AND ARCHES

The early buildings of the Slave dynasty did not employ true Islamic Building styles and consisted of false domes and false arches.Later the introduction of true arches and true domes start to appear, the earliest example is the Alai Darwaza by the side of Qutb Minar.

INDO _ISLAMIC FEATURES

The Islamic style also incorporated many elements from the traditional Indian style and a compound style emanated. The introduction of decorative brackets ,balconies,pendentive decorations etc in Architecture is an example in this regard.The other distinguishing features of Indo-Islamic Architecture are the utilization of Kiosks(Chatris),tall towere(minars) and half- domed portals. As the human representation is not allowed in Islam, the buildings and other edifices are generally decorated richly in geometrical and arabesque designs.These designs were carved on stone in low relief, cut on plaster,painted or inlaid.

DECORATION IN ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

ISLAMIC DECORATION AND WEIGHTLESSNESS
Islamic Decoration does not emphasise the actual mechanics of the building , the balance and counter balance of loads and stresses. Instead, the Islamic architectural tradition aims at a visual negation( concealing) of reality of weight and the necessity of support. The use the following means in decoration to achieve weightlessness of the structure. They range from the use of mosaic and painted decoration to tiles especially luster and painted polychrome. Openwork , pierced walls and even supporting pillars. Designs of geometric and abstract shapes,floral patterns, a variety of calligraphic styles in small to monumental single words serve as religious images and decoration.

These decorative element adds on to the non directional quality of planning,and continuous merging of spaces without any specific direction or focus.( through the bays ,arches,columns doorways and cupolas). If one moves towards the end of the wall the patterns allow them to look beyond the visual limitations of the wall Decoration is a major unifying factor in Islamic Architecture. Decoration has linked buildings and objects from all over the Islamic world from Spain to China to Indonasia. The decoration in Islamic Architecture is more important than the form of the structure. The decorative principles are pan Islamic and applicable to all types of buildings and objects at all times.Though the objects and art differ in quality of execution and style the same ideas, forms and designs constantly occur. Decoration contributes to the creation of continuous space that is the hall mark of Islamic Architecture. They are often patterned in the same manner as the walls and in the floors they actually reproduces the carpets. The tomb of Itimad Ud dawla in Agra for example has an inlaid marble floor that reproduces the design of Mughul carpets.

ILLUSION OF 3D IN DECORATION
Islamic design may be restricted to two dimensions but that very character implies three dimensional possibilities.For example the interlacing designs accompanied by variations in colour and texture create the illusion of different planes. Through the use of reflecting and shining materials and glazes, the repetition, the repetition of designs and contrasting of textures and manipulation of planes, Islamic decoration becomes complex and intricate. This concept of art rests on a basic foundation of calligraphy and geometry. Apart from this two it also relies upon the floral motifs.

ADDITIONAL LAYERS

OF

WATER AND LIGHT

Water and light are also of great importance to Islamic Architecture as they generate additional layers of pattern , like that of surface decoration and thereby they transform the space.

SPACE AND DECORATION

Space is defined by surface and since surface is articulated by decoration there is an intimate connection in Islamic Architecture between the space and decoration.Many devices typical of Islamic Architectural decoration for example the muqarnas ( a honeycomb decoration that can reflect and refract light ) are explained to dissolve the barriers between those elements of the buildings that are structural (load bearing) and those that are ornamental ( non load bearing)

CALLIGRAPHY
Calligraphy is considered as one of the most important of Islamic arts . Nearly all Islamic buildings have some type of surface inscription in the stone, stucco,marble mosaic and painting.The inscription may be a verse from the quran , lines of poetry or names or dates. Inscriptions are most often used as a frame along and around the main elementsof a buildings like portals and cornices. An inscription also may be contained in a single panel .Sometimes single words such as allah are repeated and arranged into patterns over the entire surface of the walls.

GEOMETRY

Islamic artists developed geometric patterns to a degree of complexity and sophistication previously unknown. Geometric patterns have always had a particular appeal to Muslim designers and craftsmen. They convey a certain aura of spirituality, or at least otherworldliness, without relating to any specific doctrine. In an Islamic context they are also quite free of any symbolic meaning. Above all they provide craftsmen with the opportunity to demonstrate his skill and subtlety of workmanship, and often to dazzle and intrigue with its sheer complexity These patterns show the Islamic interest in repetition, symmetry and continuous generation of pattern. The skill of the Islamic designers is demonstrated by the integration of geometry with optical effects of balancing of positive and negative areas and skillfull use of colur and tone values. These geometric design contributed to the integration between parts and whole of the building complex , the exterior and interior spaces and their furnishings. Geometrical designs, being free of any symbolic meaning (which is the case in Islamic art), could convey a general aura of spirituality without offending religious sensibilities. In addition, the purity and orderliness of patterns and symmetries could evoke a sense of transcendent beauty which, at best, would free and stimulate the intellect (rather than trap it in the illusions of mere representation).

LIGHT
For many muslims ( and non muslims), light is the symbol of divine unity. In Islamic architecture , light functions decoratively by modifying other elements( of decoration) or by originating patterns. For example the light passing through pierced lace stone work creates a corresponding pattern in the floor. Light passing through the structure makes the structure look very light lessening the mass. Light thus can add a dynamic quality to architecture,extending patterns, forms and designs into the dimensions of time. The combination of light and shade creates contrasts of planes and gives texture to sculpted Stone or brick works

Banna'i Technique

A tile decoration meaning the builder's technique, it consists of revetment of glazed bricks set within unglazed ones to form geometric patterns

Mosaic-faience

A tile decoration that reached its apex in the 14th century, it is a patterned arrangement of closely fitted small pieces of tiles which have surface glaze of different colors.

Pietra Dura

Semi-precious stone (lapis, onyx, jasper, topaz, and cornelian) inlays in marble following geometric or floral designs.