Islamic Theory, Expansion, and Art in Al-Andalus

Posted on Oct 21, 2024 in History

I. ISLAM: ITS THEORY AND EXPANSION

General Principles

The Muslim religion was founded in the seventh century AD, preached by Muhammad. Muhammad’s new religion encompasses the beliefs of different religions.

The fundamental doctrine is stated in the Koran, given by Muhammad. The year 622 is key for Muslims, as Muhammad moved from Mecca to Medina. AH is the year of the Hijra, the year 0 for Muslims. After Muhammad, the political and religious leader was a caliph.

Fundamental Precepts

  • Profession of faith: “There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet.” Special consideration was given to the religions “of the book.”
  • Praying five times a day toward Mecca.
  • Fasting in the month of Ramadan.
  • Giving alms.
  • Making a pilgrimage at least once in their life to Mecca.

Expansion of Islam

Following Muhammad, Abu Bakr and Omar served as caliphs.

Expansion in the Seventh Century:

  1. Toward the Persian Empire: Muslim rule ended the Persian Empire, occupying ancient Mesopotamia and the Iranian plateau (present territories of Iraq and Iran).
  2. Against the Byzantine Empire: Muslims seized the Byzantine territories of Egypt, Syria, and Jerusalem, including the important Holy Places for Christians, the sites of Jesus Christ’s passion and death.

Reasons for Rapid Expansion:

  1. The ideological and moral motivation of jihad, a unifying element for the Arabs, along with the powerful Arab cavalry.
  2. The policy of pacts and tolerance towards the “People of the Book” – Jews and Christians – who could continue practicing their religion in conquered territories.
  3. The weakness of the Persian and Byzantine empires, weakened by centuries of continuous warfare.

Late Seventh Century AD: The caliphate was ruled by the Umayyad family, establishing a hereditary caliphate. Expansion extended to the East (Samarkand), Tunisia, and the Iberian Peninsula (711 AD). The capital was Damascus.

750 AD: Muslim revolts occurred throughout the empire. The Umayyads were replaced by the Abbasids, who established their capital in Baghdad.

Ninth Century: The early decline of the Abbasid Caliphate allowed the Almoravids, in the twelfth century, and the Almohads, in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, to occupy Al-Andalus, the Iberian Peninsula.

Fifteenth Century: A new expansion saw the conquest of Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, in 1453.

II. MOSQUE AND ITS PARTS

Characteristics

  • A place of prayer for Muslims.
  • The model is derived from the house of Muhammad in Medina: an interior courtyard and a prayer hall.
  • Lack of ornamentation and rejection of images in the Muslim religion.

Parts of the Mosque

  • Haram or prayer hall: longitudinal vessels oriented toward Mecca.
  • Sahn, or courtyard of ablutions.
  • Qibla wall with mihrab, or sacred niche.
  • Maqsura or special place for the caliph, in the mosques they attended.
  • Minaret

III. GREAT MANIFESTATIONS OF HISPANO-MUSLIM ART: Cordoba, Seville, and Granada

Introduction

Al-Andalus was the area of the Iberian Peninsula occupied by Muslims from 711 to 1492 AD.

Stages of Muslim Presence in Spain

  • Dependent Emirate of Damascus: 711-750
  • Independent Emirate of Al-Andalus: 750-929
  • Caliphate of Al-Andalus: 929-1031, with its capital in Cordoba
  • Taifa Kingdoms: 1031-1106 (fragmentation into smaller kingdoms: Zaragoza, Seville, Toledo, etc.)
  • Almoravid Empire: 1106-1143
  • Almohad Empire: 1163-1231
  • Kingdom of Granada: 1231-1492

Hispano-Muslim Art

Features

  • Urban culture: cities with labyrinthine layouts.
  • Prevalence of architecture: mosques and palaces.
  • Representative elements: horseshoe arch and stalactites.
  • Decoration: epigraphic, ataurique, and geometric patterns.
  • Wood decks: paneled ceilings and wall paneling.

Examples of Hispano-Moorish Architecture

1. Cordoba Mosque
  • Built from the 8th to the 10th century AD.
  • Uniformity in the classification of arches: horseshoe arches over semicircular arches, with a two-color red and white pattern.
  • Construction began under Abd-al Rahman I in the 8th century. Extensions were added by Hisham I and Abd al-Rahman II in the 8th and 9th centuries.
  • 10th Century: Great renovation during the Caliphate period under Abd-al-Rahman III and Al-Hakam II: maqsura with interlaced poly-lobed arches and domes, and a golden mosaic mihrab, created by Byzantine artists.
  • Late 10th century: Lateral extension by Almanzor.
2. City of Medina Azahara
  • Built in the middle of the 10th century by the Caliph Abd al-Rahman III.
  • Characteristics:
    • Double enclosure
    • Built on three terraces