Urban History

Conceptualizing the Phenomenon of the Islamic City (Madinah) (Part Four)

Written by Spahic | 10 December 2011

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Spahic Omer

Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design

International Islamic University Malaysia

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What makes a city Islamic?

An ideal Islamic city is the one whose layout, urban fabric, design and function, are inspired primarily by Islam, are permeated with the Islamic spirit, and stand for the embodiment of Islamic principles and values. It facilitates, fosters and stimulates man’s ceaseless ‘ibadah (worship) activities entrusted to him by his Lord, helping him thus to elevate his status over that of the angels and honorably live up to his reputation as the vicegerent on earth.

Conceptualizing the Phenomenon of the Islamic City (Madinah) (Part Three)

Written by Spahic | 03 December 2011

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Spahic Omer

Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design

International Islamic University Malaysia

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La darar wa la dirar(There is neither inflicting nor returning of harm)

One of the most important Islamic principles that govern the relationship between the residents of the Islamic city (Madinah), between them and the government, is the one highlighted in a hadith of the Prophet (pbuh): “There is neither harming nor reciprocating harm”, or “There is neither injury nor return of injury.”[1] The message of the hadith is that everyone should exercise his full rights in what is rightfully his, providing the decisions/actions do not generate harm to others.[2] Likewise, none shall return injury in case it has been inflicted on him, intentionally or otherwise. The people are instead encouraged to share both their happiness and sorrow, care for each other, respect the rule of law, and peacefully settle their disputes. This way, they will secure sound and friendly relations, as well as a healthy environment conducive to all kinds of human constructive engagements.

Conceptualizing the Phenomenon of the Islamic City (Madinah) (Part Two)

Written by Spahic | 23 November 2011

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Spahic Omer

Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design

International Islamic University Malaysia

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The Islamic city and spiritual indebtedness

Furthermore, of the meanings of the Arabic verb dana - one of the derivations of the word Madinah (the City) - is ‘to be indebted to someone’. Having named the first capital of the Islamic state ‘Madinah’, the Prophet (pbuh) indicated that by ceaselessly worshipping God -- generating in the process civilizational components from which not only the followers of Islam but also the whole of mankind shall benefit -- the people in fact embarked on returning the debt of creation and existence to their Creator and Sustainer. While the feat of returning and settling the debt to God had commenced for many individuals long ago while in Makkah, neither the full realization of the same by the Muslims as an organic, autonomous and self-directed entity, nor the sanctioned methods of the successful dept repayment, could materialize until the epic migration (Hijrah) to Madinah came to pass.

Conceptualizing the Phenomenon of the Islamic City (Madinah) (Part One)

Written by Spahic | 18 November 2011

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Spahic Omer

Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design

International Islamic University Malaysia

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From Yathrib to Madinah

Prior to the Hijrah (migration) of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) from Makkah to Madinah, the latter was called Yathrib consisting of several loosely interrelated settlements. Its population was made up mainly of Arabs and Jews, the former being divided into the Aws and Khazraj tribes and the latter into Banu Qaynuqa’, Banu al-Nadir and Banu Qurayzah tribes. Because of this earliest delicate and incoherent social geography of the place, it may be that the name Yathrib was not originally applied to the entire Madinah oasis, but rather only to a section thereof and to some of its settlements.

Kampung Laut's Old Mosque, Malaysia: the Evidence that Islam Came to South East Asia through China

Written by Administrator | 26 October 2010

Ahmad Sanusi Hassan

School of Housing, Building and Planning

Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia

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Introduction

The existence of Kampung Laut’s Old Mosque as the oldest mosque in Malaysia becomes the evidence that Islam comes to the Malay Archipelagos from east in contrast to most written history text books in Malaysia which note Islam comes to this region from west. The spread of Islam in this region occurred through sea route’s trading activities. The primary trades were along port cities in Sumatra, Java, Malacca, Kelantan, and Pattani. Location of Champa port cities (Indo China) was at the middle route before reaching port cities in China. There were many Islamic Empires established in Indo China, Peninsular Malaysia, Java, and Sumatra.

The Evolution of the Identity of Islamic Architecture after Prophet Muhammad

Written by Spahic | 03 May 2010

Dr. Spahic Omer

Introduction

In this paper, I shall deal with some of the themes relating to the gradual evolution of the conspicuous identity of Islamic architecture from the time of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) till approximately the end of the first period of the Abbasid state (861 AC/247 H). It was during this period that Islamic architecture really matured. It reached its pinnacle in both technical and conceptual terms. It finally attained such qualities as artistic comprehensive excellence, universality, internationalism and profundity of styles and meanings that oozed unparalleled genius, innovation and creativity. The end of the first period of the Abbasid state has been pinpointed as the final phase in the evolution of the total identity of Islamic architecture as we know it today for several reasons. The following two reasons perhaps are most significant.