ISSN: 2347-7474
International Journal Advances in Social Science and Humanities
Available online at: www.ijassh.com
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Attitude of Islam towards Art
Bilal Ahmad Kutty*
Department of Islamic Studies, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh (U.P.), India.
*Corresponding Author: Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Islam is the religious faith preached by the Arab prophet Mohammed. During the five hundred years after
Mohammed's death in A.D. 632, Islam spread far beyond its place of origin in the Arabian Peninsula. The
followers of Mohammed, called Muslims, conquered the rest of the Middle East, as well as North Africa, Spain,
central Asia, and north and central India. Most of the conquered people accepted the Islamic religion. As Islam
spread, a distinctive style of Islamic art gradually developed. It was used mainly for religious architecture, book
illustrations, and the decoration of pottery, metal ware, and other useful objects. Islamic art was influenced by
the artistic styles of the conquered regions. These styles included late Roman, Byzantine, and Persian art. The
development of Islamic art was also influenced by two religious restrictions. Mohammed warned artists not to
imitate God, the creator of all life, by making images of living things. Most religious art therefore consisted of
ornamental designs that did not represent people or animals. The second restriction discouraged the use of costly
materials. Islamic artists, therefore, worked mainly with brass, clay, and wood. They learned to decorate objects
made of these less expensive materials so skillfully that they looked as beautiful as silver or gold
Keywords: Representational, Figurative, Calligraphy, Arabesque, Architecture, Minature.
Introduction
It is generally believed that the attitude of
Firstly, it is only the Quran which prohibits
Islam towards the fine arts is not very
anything in Islam. As far as the Ahaadith are
encouraging; it does not nurture the aesthetic
concerned, they only explain something alluded
sense found in human nature; in particular, it
to by the Quran or state the corollory of some
totally prohibits the art of music as well as the
principle mentioned in the Quran. They are not
art of making human images and portraits. We
an independent source of knowledge on Islam
believe that this view is not consistent with
and must have some basis in the Quran, the
Islam.
Sunnat-i-Thaabitah1
However, before we present our observations on
principles of human nature and intellect.
this
issue,
consideration
it
is
necessary
two
important
interpreting the shariah.
Bilal Ahmad Kutty | Jan. 2015|Vol.3|Issue 01|43-45
to
or
the
established
keep
in
Consequently, if some Ahaadith mention the
principles
of
prohibition of something, it is imperative to look
up its basis in the original sources.
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Secondly, if a particular matter has been
the portraits of Abraham (sws) and Ismail (sws)
elaborated upon in the Ahaadith, it is necessary
were sketched on its walls. Moreover, Ayesha
to have a complete picture of it by collecting and
(rta) has narrated some Ahaadith in which it is
analyzing all the Ahaadith on the subject. This
stated that the portraits of Maryam (rta) and
is essential in order to have some idea of the
Jesus (sws) were suspended on the walls of
context and background of what has actually
churches and people used to bow before them
been said or implied.
[1].
In the light of these two
principles, it is evident that:
i) As far as the Quran is concerned, there is no
Similarly, if all Ahaadith pertaining to music
mention of any absolute prohibition of music or
are examined, the real picture which comes to
portrait making. On the contrary, it mentions
light is that musical gatherings possessed a
that the Prophet Solomon (sws) had made many
great element of immorality. Slave girls used to
statues and images through the agency of his
dance before an inebriated gathering, where
obedient army of jinns (34:13). Similary, it is
lewdness
also a known fact that one of the other divinely
prevailed. They were a means of stimulating
revealed scriptures, the Zaboor, is basically a
base emotions in people. The extent which these
collection of hymns. The Prophet David (sws)
gatherings of music and dance had reached can
used to sing the various Psalms revealed to him
be ell imagined by the fact that even after the
on his harp.
battle of Badr, a Companion of the Prophet
was
let
loose
and
promiscuity
(sws) as great as Hamzah (rta) was seen
ii) If the Quran does not apparently mention
witnessing the dance of a slave girl with some
this absolute prohibition, it is necessary to re
of the people of the Ansaar, while they were
analyze all the Ahaadith on this subject to see
taking liquor. Inspired by the words of the song
whether they have been interpreted correctly.
the maiden was singing and in a state of deep
inebriation, he severed the hemp of a camel
By collecting and analyzing all the Ahaadith on
standing nearby and brought forth the meat to
portrait and image making, the complete
her [2].
picture which emerges is that a particular
category of pictures and portraits had acquired
In the light of this analysis, the prohibition of
the status of idols and were worshipped like
portraits and music can be easily understood:
them. They were regarded as deities by the
only
people of Arabia. As such, they used to consider
sanctity and led people into worshipping them
them alive and capable of granting them their
had been prohibited, while music and songs
wishes. They used to bow down before them in
which possessed an element of immorality in
adoration. Even in the Ka`aba, as a study of its
them had been forbidden. Both music and
history reveals, besides numerous idols, there
image-making, it is clear, were not condemned
were many sacred pictures drawn on its walls.
because of any intrinsic evil in them, but
Consequently, there is mention of the fact that
because
Bilal Ahmad Kutty | Jan. 2015|Vol.3|Issue 01|43-45
portraits
the
which
former
possessed
contributed
religious
to
the
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polytheistic tendencies of people while the
"Creators of images shall be chastised and
latter was responsible of stimulating base
asked to inject life in them and they shall be
sentiments in a person.
unable to do so." (Kitab-ul-Libaas?)
The main object of the religion revealed to the
The words actually point to the fact we have
Prophet (sws) was to cleanse and purify human
stated before. The people of Mecca used to
souls from evil. All means which promote base
regard these images as living beings and as
emotions in people certainly could not be
such used to invoke their help. The hadith
allowed in the society. He, therefore, strongly
warns such people and says that those who
took exception to the gatherings of music and
believe that that these images are living
dance in order to rebuild the society on healthy
creatures and will save them on the Day of
lines.
Judgement from the wrath of the Almighty,
shall actually be asked to inject life in them
Similarly, the Quran regards monotheism as
on that Day, if they can, to redeem them of
the fundamental article of faith and the
their punishment. This demand, of course,
Prophet
would only be meant to add insult to injury.
(sws)
considered
it
his
duty
to
eliminate any traces of polytheism in the
It is evident from the foregoing discussion
society;
the
that the prohibition of music and image
elimination of portraits and images which had
making pertains to a few specific forms of
assumed the status of gods. Consequently, if the
these arts. Music which boosts the morale of
Ahaadith are carefully studied, the words which
an army or expresses noble sentiments is
cannot be helped missing are `such pictures.. '
perfectly allowed in Islam. Similarly, the art
and `these pictures...', which point to a certain
of image making and sculpture, if it does not
type of portraits and not to all forms of it. In
revolves around immorality or cultivate the
this regard, another hadith often quoted in
sentiments of worship towards something is
support
certainly not disallowed. Similarly, Islam has
therefore,
of
their
prohibition,
we
he
total
are
ordered
and
afraid
for
unconditional
has
not
been
no objection against photographs which have
interpreted correctly. The words of the Prophet
become a social need in the form of identity
as quoted in the Sahih of Bukhari are:
cards, passports and a means of information
[1, 2].
References
1. By
Sunnat-i-Thaabitah
the
concerned, there is no difference between it
established customs of the Prophet (sws) which
and the Quran. Just as the Quran has been
were passed on as religion to the Muslim
transmitted to us by verbal perpetuation of the
Ummah by a vast majority of the Companions
Ummah, the Sunnat-i-Thaabitah has been
of the Prophet (sws) through their practical
transmitted to us by the perpetual adherence
consensus or perpetual adherence to such
of the Ummah to it.
customs.
As
far
as
is
its
meant
authenticity
Bilal Ahmad Kutty | Jan. 2015|Vol.3|Issue 01|43-45
is
2. For details see Bukhari, Kitab-ul-Kaghaazi.
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