Medinanet
Building as an Indispensable and Creditable Activity
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05 May 2012
Humans are not the only creatures that build. Many a creature that we classify low down the hierarchy of the animal kingdom, such as bees and ants, build elaborate structures. However, it has been suggested that it is awareness and imagination that single out humans as superior to other animals in architectural output.[1] While the rest of creation act on the environment instinctively with no reasoning or training - as preordained by Allah, the Creator of the universe - man does the same willingly and at his own discretion. Since his actions are preceded with thinking and rationalizing, man clearly demonstrates through acts of building -- and through every other engagement of his, indeed -- his philosophy of and outlook on life and its manifold realities. The relationship between the two, i.e., one’s outlook on life and the disposition of his acts -- including building -- is causal, the former always being the cause of the latter. No sooner does a paradigm shift occur in one’s worldview -- no matter how (in)significant -- than a corresponding change accordingly ensues in the very essence and character of one’s performances, thus revealing and immortalizing one’s actual relationship with his self, with his peers, with other creatures and, of course, with his Creator and Lord.
Islamic Housing and Critical Thinking
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16 April 2012
It is paramount that Muslims, while holding fast to the guidance of the holy Qur’an and the Prophet’s sunnah, critically and thoroughly examine both their past and present-day conditions, the findings of which will have to constitute the core of their educational systems, socio-economic and political philosophies, as well as any reformatory and revivalist tendencies and movements. Such an ethos will shape their unique and respectable identity, and the identity of all that is associated with them.
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- Pragmatism in Islamic Architecture
- Islam and Peaceful Coexistence with the Environment (Part Four)
- Islam and Peaceful Coexistence with the Environment (Part Three)
- Islam and Peaceful Coexistence with the Environment (Part Two)
- CHANGE: ARCHITECTURE AND ENGINEERING IN THE MIDDLE EAST, 2000 TO PRESENT
- Islam and Peaceful Coexistence with the Environment (Part One)
- First International Conference on Islamic Built Environment
- Housing Design Practice and Energy Efficiency Consideration in Nigeria (P1)
- Madinah: “The Watered Land, Rich in Date Palms”
