The Unifying Principles of Islamic Architecture : Tawhid

According to the weekly reflection, the topic of Tawhid & Ihtiram based on the 7 principles of islamic architecture was discussed earlier.

Architecture as Tawhid: Unity & Uniquity of Allah

The implication of Tawhid towards architecture is based on:

•  The idea of tawhid that provides a conspicuous identity towards islamic architecture
•  The "Oneness" of God, for example refering to the nature of that God- HE is a unity, not composed, not made up of parts, but simple and uncompounded.
•  Islam as cohesion force of unity amongst ethically & culturally diverse people, where every man is equal regardless of wealth and inheritance. 
• The presence of divine unity

As presented in class, islamic architecture was formed under a few factors:

SHAHADA:

A person must be a Muslim and to perform faithful prayers in the Ka'bah, a Muslim shrine in Mecca. This is to unify and create a borderless community which transcends race, rank and wealth. Hajj is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca and a religious duty for the Muslim, a demonstration of the solidarity and their submission to Allah. 

Muslims performing their duty of Hajj in Mecca. 

NOTION OF TAWHID

The notion of Tawhid is the most important as it means asserting the unity and oneness of Allah. Based on the concept of Tawhid, Muslims believe that the God cannot be held in equal way or degree to any other being or concept. Maintaining that there is no God except Allah and that there is nothing comparable to HIm constitutes the essence of Tawhid and the essence of Islam. 

CATALYST

To unify a community, the mosque is the first thing to be built before building a community/nation/city. The mosque is a center for all Muslim social life, which includes religion, education, administration, laws, economics and political wise. . 

The mosque is an essential space for the Muslims as they perform their 5 daily Solah Jamaah/Congregation prayers there.

Muslims performing their daily prayers together united. 

URBAN PLANNING / CONTEXT

Sunnah (Fiqh Law) is implemented in unifying the city based on the urban planning through a few aspects. Firstly, it is through guidance of everyday action and behaviour, then to maintain practical and spiritual character by fulfilling requirements with a close-knit with Allah. 

                                       

Figure shows example of Fiqh Law that is implemented in an urban context.

References:

Architecture as Tawhid: Unity & Uniquity of Allah

Lecture Notes

Implication of Tawhid:
http://www.medinanet.org/index.php/islamic-issues/173-tawhid-and-its-implications-for-islamic-architecture

Images: 

http://spirittourism.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Hajj-is-the-fifth-pillar-of-Islam.jpg http://travelmalaysiaguide.com/images/mosque2.jpg http://i2.squidoocdn.com/resize/squidoo_images/250/draft_lens8396761module72536661photo_1259938206Muslim_prayer.jpg https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6NS_QMz-vi0C174DbB4Z-CqKgMXjG_7hyoNlBeRlwrOt-8miMvG5Up0rU2wgVomKpbOe2mVhyphenhyphenD2583gNbjd2DY65wTu7KwYrWkdH-zj-BUAAVbsctsF_G5-107UwiAykLkntv_SSPjpv/s320/Hakim.4b.jpg