10.4 The Arts and Cultural manifestation of Islamic Civilization

The Philosophy, Concept and Principle of Art and Culture

What is culture? What is art? Obviously, both of them are elements that form a civilization. Culture is a

way of life that encompasses actions, behaviours and thoughts in all spheres of human life such as

economy, politics, social, education, knowledge, philosophy and arts. Meanwhile, art is something

which is delicate, soft, beautiful, and pleasant to feel, hear or see.

The art normally comes in the form of painting, drawing, music, system of writing and money others. In

Islam, art is something permissible if it does not against the Islamic teachings. If the way of its

implementation is contradicting the Islamic teachings, it is rejected.

For example, in the field of music. Singing is basically permissible but if the lyric of a song drives

people to commit sins to Allah SWT, the art of writing the lyric is rejected and will ot be considered as

an element of Islamic civilization.

Philosophically, the arts and culture in Islamic civilization must be based on tawheed. The purpose of

arts and culture must not against the principles of tawheed. The motive of both must be towards ma'ruf.

Both must be able to develop a better civilized person physically and spiritually. In arts, for example, an

artist draws a very beautiful human figure such as a woman with an exposed aurah, it is forbidden and

rejected no matter how beautiful the drawing is.

10.4 The Arts and Cultural manifestation of Islamic Civilization

Thus, the artist must understand the meaning and concept of arts in Islam. The culture also must play

the same role in which it must be able to develop a highly-civilized society. For instance, the culture in

celebrating 'Eid al-Fitri. In some Muslim culture, the celebration is celebrated with songs and dance by

singers on television, be it male or female singers.

While singing the songs, there is mixing between male and female singers and they shake hands

among them. Shaking hands is a good deed but shaking hand with the opposite gender is forbidden in

Islam. Thus, this kind of culture is rejected and must be left by Muslims.

From the discussion above, what we can outline the arts in Islam must:

Be based on revelation

Any elements that against the Islamic teachings must not be adopted in the civilization and even it

is haram to adopt those elements.

Connect mankind to Allah SWT

For example, a painter who draws a scene of natural environment should have the thought "How

great is the Creator of the environment".

10.4 The Arts and Cultural manifestation of Islamic Civilization

Maintain the good akhlaq of Muslims

For instance, song performance must not allow the mixing between male and female in one place

because it will lead to moral decadence and also the performer (singer) must not reveal her aurah.

Enhance the values of humanity

If a lyric of a song drives the listeners to commit zina or killing others, it does not enhance the values

of humanity but in fact, destruct the values. Thus, the art of creating the lyric is haram and cannot be

absorbed as an element of Islamic civilization.

Therefore, the arts in Islamic civilization must function as:

A medium to bring mankind closer to Allah SWT

A stimulus that stimulate human mind to be aware of and appreciate the greatness of Allah SWT.

A tool for the development of a focused and peaceful soul.

The Art and Cultural Manifestation

The manifestation of arts and culture in Islamic civilization can be found in architecture, music, vocal,

language and literature, carving, textile and embroidery, calligraphy, painting and decoration. In this

sub-topic, we will see some examples of the arts in the fields which are mentioned just now.

10.4 The Arts and Cultural manifestation of Islamic Civilization

Architecture and Design of Building

Do you notice that almost all mosques in the world have similar architecture and design? The most

clear feature is the minaret at least one. The architecture is actually a manifestation of tawheed that

describes the relationship of Muslims with Allah SWT. Generally, all mosques have almost similar

shapes in a number of dimensions such as mihrab (the annexxe) for imam, mimbar, dome and

place of ablution.

Calligraphy (khat)

Arabic calligraphy has been recognized as the art of writing in Islamic civilization as the sources of

the civilization i.e Al-Quran was revealed in Arabic language. There are several types the Arabic

calligraphy that are used to write Quranic verses. The types are khat Thulus(خط ثلث),

Nasakh (نسخ), Diwani (ديوانى), Kufi (كوفي), Farisi (فارسي) and Kharashi (خراشي).

Music

Islam does not totally forbid music. What is forbidden is the misuse of the music. Therefore, Islam

sets some guidelines to avoid the misuse and to preserve the morality of Muslims. Among the

guidelines are:

10.4 The Arts and Cultural manifestation of Islamic Civilization

Soft and orderly music

ii.

Does not disturb others

iii.

Separation of male and female during performance

iv.

Performers and audience cover their aurah

Female performer should perform music for female audience only in a closed place

vi.

Music should not be accompanied with element which is prohibited in Islam such as alcohol,

drugs dancing among married couple

Arts and Literature

Islamic civilization also does not prohibit the aspect of arts and literature as long as the contents do

not against the Islamic teachings. Al-Quran itself is an art which is cannot be challenged by human

thought. In history, the art came in the form of poem, debate, risalah, qasidah and maqamat. The

use of beautiful language and words became the main feature of the arts and literature. However, it

cannot challenge the beauty of Quranic language and words.

10.4 The Arts and Cultural manifestation of Islamic Civilization

At the time of Rasulullah SAW, poem was used to praise Allah SWT and Rasulullah SAW, to stir

the spirit of jihad among Muslims as well as to spread da'wah Islamiyyah. Among the famous poet

at that time were Hasan bin Thabit, Abdullah bin Rawahah and Ka'ab bin Malik. In debate,

Muslims also have to develop some skills because the skills will be very useful to spread Islam, to

stir the spirit of jihad as well as to defend Islam. Rasulullah SAW himself was a great debator.

There were also some sahabah who became good debator.