Islamic Art

Art in Islam falls into three main categories, architecture, calligraphy, and objects.

Calligraphy is the most important art form within Islam because it was through words the message of Allah could become known to humans. The scriptures are constantly being re-written in more beautiful ways. You will find the Qur’ans teachings and messages portrayed in various ways ranging from embroidered in the finest silks to being carved in stones.

Manuscripts of the Koran were written out by hand and then painters would use fine brushes usually made form squirrel hair to embellish the books. Although Islam does not encourage the illustration of Allah or Islamic beliefs because they do not with to encourage idolization the figural representations became popular after the death of Muhammad. These image still mainly consisted of words and abstract shapes.

Islam is also know for its ceramics, pottery and attention to detail. Some of the worlds finest artworks have been Islamic. Islamic architecture is also incredible notice the image below from the Selimiye Mosque, Edirne, Turkey;

References:

•       http://www.asia.si.edu/exhibitions/online/islamic/artofobject1.htm
•       http://www.colostate.edu/orgs/MSA/find_more/islart.html
•       http://www.islamic-architecture.info/A-HIST.htm

Image:

•             http://www.islamic-architecture.info/Selimiye.jpg
•       http://oursurprisingworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/pakistan_art_02.jpg
•             http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m38hmfZ1ES1r46byno1_1280.png

Salat

Salat or Salah are the second pillar of Islam, they are daily prayers of Muslim’s. Muslim’s pray five times a day, dawn, midday, afternoon, after sunset, between sunset and midnight.

In Islamic countries the daily schedule is planned around prayer times and the Mosques ring public calls to prayer.

The prayers are over 1400 years old. They are a way of connecting not only to Allah but also the Muslim’s all around the world. Muslim’s have set movements, which they perform during their prayers, they always pray towards Mecca, the Holy city.

Muslim people pray as if they were in the presence of Allah himself. You should always be in the right mindset for prayer or there is not point in praying. Whist not all Muslim’s pray five times a day it is ideal.

References:

•        http://www.makkahmasjid.org/Salahbook.htm
•        http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/practices/salat.shtml

Image:

•  http://i.istockimg.com/file_thumbview_approve/83331/2/stock-photo-83331-salat.jpg

Wudu

Wudu is cleaning which occurs before Muslims preform Salah, which are the daily prayers.

It is a long and interesting process it begins by stating the purpose of your cleansing so “I wish to be clean so I can preform Salah”, the person then says "Bismillah" which means in the name of Allah.

The first part of your body to be washed is the hands. You start with your right hand washing up to your wrist; you do this three times making sure that you clean in-between your fingers and then you do it to your left hand.

You then cup water in your right hand and rinse your mouth three times.

The person splashes water up their nose with their right hand and blows it out three times.

The face is the next part of the body to be washed, you rinse it three times and you need to make sure you also wash both ears and under your chin.

Wash from your wrist to your elbow three times and make sure that no part of your arm is left unwashed. With your wet hands slide them along your head from your forehead to your neck and bring then back to your forehead. In the same movement wash out the ear hole with you index finger and rub the back of the ear with your thumb bottom to top.

Lastly wash each foot three times making sure to get in-between each toe.

Once you have finished this procedure you are cleansed and you can preform your prayers.

References:

•           http://islam1.org/how_to_pray/wudu.htm
•           http://salah101.wordpress.com/what-is-salah/

Image:

•      http://eemaan.in/WUDU_7_1474379448.jpg