Three schools; Silicon Valley Academy (Muslim), and Yavneh Day School and the Congregation Shir Hadash (both Jewish) all in California got together to try to bring together two communities; Jews and Muslims.
They complied artworks for an exhibition “Coexistence Through Art" held on Nov. 27 at the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center, 14855 Oka Road in Los Gatos.
They are trying to get out the message of coexistence. They feel that it is the future and that we can work things out in the Middle East if we can respect each other.
It is a wonderful endeavor and commendable indeed.
Showing posts with label Article. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Article. Show all posts
Monday, January 14, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Al-Aqsa Masjid
Art History
Many may think that Art education is a waste of time in Islamic schools. However art education does not only teach creativity and inventiveness but also culture, history and general knowledge.
After all can you tell which of the two pictures above shows the Al-Aqsa Masjid?
Which did you choose? The one on the right is not and is actually thought to be the Al-Aqsa Masjid by a lot of Muslims while the actual Masjid is shown on the left. The one on the right is actually the Qubat As-Sakhra Masjid.
Knowledge is power and depriving our children of any type can be more devastating that you think.
Many may think that Art education is a waste of time in Islamic schools. However art education does not only teach creativity and inventiveness but also culture, history and general knowledge.
After all can you tell which of the two pictures above shows the Al-Aqsa Masjid?
Which did you choose? The one on the right is not and is actually thought to be the Al-Aqsa Masjid by a lot of Muslims while the actual Masjid is shown on the left. The one on the right is actually the Qubat As-Sakhra Masjid.
Knowledge is power and depriving our children of any type can be more devastating that you think.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Islamic school of Art
Muslims follow Madhhab; these are Islamic school of thought or (figh) religious jurisprudence. There are four; the Hanafi, the Maliki, the Shafi’i and the Hanbali.
In the art world there are also schools of art according to style or a movement as belonging a particular group of artists. These artists have a common influence or origin. It is not a physical school but reflects the style of art around that time.
Islamic art is not easily recognizable because Muslims vary from nation to nation except if it is traditional in nature; e.g. Arabic calligraphy or the architecture of a Masjid.
But the one feature which would indeed unify Muslim artists would be the belief that to draw realistic images of people and animals are forbidden. Also not only to create these images but also the way that they are used. Still with the vast array of media and medium it would be difficult for all contemporary Islamic art to look the same. My guess is that it would also reflect the culture of the artist, his style, the medium he uses, the influences which are endless and so much more.
It would be extremely interesting to see what an actual Islamic Art School would be like. Well there's a link to a traditional school .
http://www.psta.org.uk/index.php?n=Main.Homepage
This one in Pakistan seems more secular than Islamic.
http://www.nca.edu.pk/index.htm
Friday, January 4, 2008
Islamic Art teaches Math
Many Islamic artistic expressions were done in intricate patterns and exquisite geometric designs. Math is the tool that is used to create such beautiful eyefuls.Today many are using this most famous aspect of Islamic art to teach algebra, geometry and calculus of Math in classrooms and colleges. It provides an exciting medium to an otherwise “boring” topic. Radial, symmetry and tessellation can provide an easy way for students to learn about these concepts in Math.
You can check out this book;Geometric Concepts in Islamic Art (Paperback)by Issam El-Said (Author), Ayse Parman (Author)
Links to check out how it is done.1. http://www.collegenews.org/x4595.xml2. http://homeschoolmath.blogspot.com/2007/02/geometric-patterns-in-islamic-art.html3. http://www.mtholyoke.edu/offices/comm/news/summermath.shtml4. http://www.artteacherconnection.com/pages/anrtandmath.htm5. http://mtcs.truman.edu/~thammond/history/Art.html6. http://www.vam.ac.uk/school_stdnts/schools_teach/teachers_resources/maths/index.html
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Prayer Mats
Images can be very influential and no where is that more obvious than when I am praying. First I make sure that my environment is clean, I make wudu, check my clothes to see if they are clean and cover me well. Then I lay down my prayer mat and pray. Easy right?Well sometimes concentrating can be hard and ever so often my mind wonders, especially if my kids are around. But even before I had kids, work and a job there was something that bothered me some what. You see, when I am looking down and trying to think about my Lord, the prayer mat stares back at me! And it might not be a pretty face I see.
Am I nuts? Mats with eyes? Well…at first I felt a bit funny. Growing up we prayed on a large soft brown carpet with no designs. But as I got older and would sometimes pray by myself I would use the prayer mats made for one person. These mats have a lot of designs. The designs do not have realistic images of people or animals. In fact the designs are mostly of Islamic themes and pictures. These pictures might have the Kaaba or a holy place.
The thing is that when one stares long enough at these mats one can actually see faces. These “faces” usually make “ugly looks” and would sometimes make me jump. But now I don’t have that problem. I have found that it used to bother me. Alhamduillah now I just have to concentrate on my prayer and not the imaginative "creatures" staring at me. I see enough of that when I look in the mirror.
Friday, December 28, 2007
The Muslim Artist at Work
It is is not difficult to paint or draw. Anyone can do it. Some may do it better than others. For the Muslim artist it should not be any more different from anyone else. The first thing I say to my students is; "Please do your best, don't be afraid"
Many may say that they cannot draw and is afraid of their work being laughed at or dismissed as frivolous. For the Muslim artist, there is comfort in the knowledge and belief that God is perfect and He alone can create in perfection. Therefore we must not be afraid of the end result of our work because it is the process which is the most important part of the experience.
Since Muslims recognised that God has all the responsibility of being perfect, we would do our very best and accept what we did. We are merely "photocopiers" of all that is around us. Mind you we must do our best and not make something with a haphazard attitude. A person's first reaction to seeing our work is honest and should be taken as constructive criticism. That is; whatever the comments we hear be should be able to build our resolve to do better or improve in anyway we can. Or we can simply ignore the negatives; in fact we must and remember that it is the process that is more important than the end result.
The creative process is the reason, in the first place, why we are artists. The sensual feeling of the paint brush, the soothing colors, the passion of drawing, the joy of building and the satisfaction we get from involving in our selves in something so enjoyable that we do it even if there is no monetary benefit from it.
It is especially important for adults to remember this when asked by a child if they like their work.
Scenario - Fatima is happy. She just finished her drawing for the story she wrote yesterday. She loved the rabbit she drew and the colors she used. She shows it to her teacher. What do you think the teacher's reaction should be?
Some may laugh or begin to point out all the "mistakes" Fatima made. but remember that it was the process through which Fatima learnt not the end result. She learnt from using colors and developing her brain creatively.Our students should not copy a template which we made for them nor should they be told what to do on the exact details of their work. They must be able to use their imagination and inventiveness as this is the objective of art in our classrooms; to build a brain that is creative and innovative.
For the adult artist, this creative process is equally important, more so because much more planning is involved. We plan our compositions, make sketches, practise and practise until we have something we like to develop or work on. Not all of our pieces will be a masterpiece but that is okay because the Master of masterpieces is not going to laugh at our work.
Many may say that they cannot draw and is afraid of their work being laughed at or dismissed as frivolous. For the Muslim artist, there is comfort in the knowledge and belief that God is perfect and He alone can create in perfection. Therefore we must not be afraid of the end result of our work because it is the process which is the most important part of the experience.
Since Muslims recognised that God has all the responsibility of being perfect, we would do our very best and accept what we did. We are merely "photocopiers" of all that is around us. Mind you we must do our best and not make something with a haphazard attitude. A person's first reaction to seeing our work is honest and should be taken as constructive criticism. That is; whatever the comments we hear be should be able to build our resolve to do better or improve in anyway we can. Or we can simply ignore the negatives; in fact we must and remember that it is the process that is more important than the end result.
The creative process is the reason, in the first place, why we are artists. The sensual feeling of the paint brush, the soothing colors, the passion of drawing, the joy of building and the satisfaction we get from involving in our selves in something so enjoyable that we do it even if there is no monetary benefit from it.
It is especially important for adults to remember this when asked by a child if they like their work.
Scenario - Fatima is happy. She just finished her drawing for the story she wrote yesterday. She loved the rabbit she drew and the colors she used. She shows it to her teacher. What do you think the teacher's reaction should be?
Some may laugh or begin to point out all the "mistakes" Fatima made. but remember that it was the process through which Fatima learnt not the end result. She learnt from using colors and developing her brain creatively.Our students should not copy a template which we made for them nor should they be told what to do on the exact details of their work. They must be able to use their imagination and inventiveness as this is the objective of art in our classrooms; to build a brain that is creative and innovative.
For the adult artist, this creative process is equally important, more so because much more planning is involved. We plan our compositions, make sketches, practise and practise until we have something we like to develop or work on. Not all of our pieces will be a masterpiece but that is okay because the Master of masterpieces is not going to laugh at our work.
Distractions
The Noble Qur'an - Al-A'raf 7:148
And the people of Moses made in his absence, out of their ornaments, the image of a calf (for worship). It had a sound (as if it was mooing). Did they not see that it could neither speak to them nor guide them to the way? They took it for worship and they were Zalimun (wrong-doers).
Commitment to other things in our lives can distract us from the real emotions and feelings. This can come about from putting our trust in things other than God. Humans crave companionship and affection to fulfill the meanings in our life. We will love people, pets and have attachments to various things. Some people would have their pets pictures around them, look and collect pictures of a famous person etc.
But the problem starts when these things become a distraction for us and we forget God and fulfill the voids in our life not with prayer but with things that cannot help us in any way. God is the only one who can help us in ALL aspects of life. He is the one who can make sure that the things and people we love are taken care of. What can be really dangerous is when we are so engrossed in connecting with these sometimes superficial relationships and spend so much time, effort and money behind these pursuits that we forget to connect with our Creator and Sustainer.
People, in their quest to keep a hold on things from the past, would keep pictures of their pets and people they love and slowly begin to do things that have no meaning. Like looking at the picture and talking to it. They may place flowers next to the pictures or do something which helps them to deal with the lost of a loved one.
It is extremely difficult to deal with the lost of someone. Knowing that they are in a better place would be able to help.
We can help people who have past on by praying for them and talking to God about our feelings about them. One can not forget a loved one but we can find solace in prayer and du’ah. We can talk as long as we like with God, its free and we don't have to make an appointment.
And the people of Moses made in his absence, out of their ornaments, the image of a calf (for worship). It had a sound (as if it was mooing). Did they not see that it could neither speak to them nor guide them to the way? They took it for worship and they were Zalimun (wrong-doers).
Commitment to other things in our lives can distract us from the real emotions and feelings. This can come about from putting our trust in things other than God. Humans crave companionship and affection to fulfill the meanings in our life. We will love people, pets and have attachments to various things. Some people would have their pets pictures around them, look and collect pictures of a famous person etc.
But the problem starts when these things become a distraction for us and we forget God and fulfill the voids in our life not with prayer but with things that cannot help us in any way. God is the only one who can help us in ALL aspects of life. He is the one who can make sure that the things and people we love are taken care of. What can be really dangerous is when we are so engrossed in connecting with these sometimes superficial relationships and spend so much time, effort and money behind these pursuits that we forget to connect with our Creator and Sustainer.
People, in their quest to keep a hold on things from the past, would keep pictures of their pets and people they love and slowly begin to do things that have no meaning. Like looking at the picture and talking to it. They may place flowers next to the pictures or do something which helps them to deal with the lost of a loved one.
It is extremely difficult to deal with the lost of someone. Knowing that they are in a better place would be able to help.
We can help people who have past on by praying for them and talking to God about our feelings about them. One can not forget a loved one but we can find solace in prayer and du’ah. We can talk as long as we like with God, its free and we don't have to make an appointment.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
The Image of God
In drawing or making a picture of God or His prophets who would we fashion them to look like? Where would we start?
He is one; this means that there is no other like him. And we have never seen Him. He would not therefore plaster His image everywhere like on toast or a tree because it would become mundane and part of his creations. He is a Creator not a creation. He created Himself.
The Noble Qur'an - Al-Anbiyâ 21:51-54
51. And indeed We bestowed aforetime on Ibrâhim (Abraham) his (portion of) guidance, and We were Well-Acquainted with him (as to his Belief in the Oneness of Allâh, etc.).
52. When he said to his father and his people: "What are these images, to which you are devoted?"
53. They said:"We found our fathers worshipping them."
54. He said: "Indeed you and your fathers have been in manifest error."
· His image is then not like the mortal man or any other thing. And as such cannot be imagined by any mortal artist. His image is much more than we can imagine. That is because His powers cannot be imagine by our limited mind. His image cannot be rendered by our limited skills.
· His image is too great for our average eye to see when we cannot even see beyond our horizon. The eye of the human is not powerful even as some animals that have more sight than us. Our limitations as mere humans prevent us from seeing God’s great image.
· If God is pictured as something as low as men then we are to assumed that He will have powers only as a man. But His sight is not like us, only much more powerful, His hearing is not like us, only much more powerful, everything about Him is much more powerful any man would ever have.
· People have claimed to be spoken to by God or to have had a vision of Him. Satan can come to a person claiming to be such or such. He is the ultimate con artist and this is precisely why we don’t have an image of God. Because Satan would come to people using what they want to see as God and tell them to follow him; a false god. He can come to us using what we desperately wants to see and experience and for the vulnerable it can become a trap taking us away from the One True God. Jesus himself was tried in this way when Satan came to him in the desert to try leading him away from his beliefs.
· As we have seen in Christianity the “image” of Jesus is worshipped and his mother too. God has sent prophets to all people and when these prophets die, in their grief people make images of them and worship them. Also they might have seen them and wanted to have something to remember them by so they make images of them or there may be a thousand other reasons why people made images of their holy people. However these trends tend to lead people away from the One True God. What good is an intercessor when a person can pray straight to God? People do not need idols or images to pray to God. All that is required to have a sincere intention and to pray from the heart. God understands all language and with His most great and powerful hearing He can hear all zillions of us anytime, anywhere, anyhow.
· And to be politically correct what would He actually look like if his image was rendered as a man? A white man or a black man? A Chinese man or a Hispanic man? Who would be offended? Even women would begin to object; thinking why God has to be a man. Because He is not a man nor a woman nor any of His creations. He is one, unique, original and not represent able. And it is therefore not possible to make images of God.
He is one; this means that there is no other like him. And we have never seen Him. He would not therefore plaster His image everywhere like on toast or a tree because it would become mundane and part of his creations. He is a Creator not a creation. He created Himself.
The Noble Qur'an - Al-Anbiyâ 21:51-54
51. And indeed We bestowed aforetime on Ibrâhim (Abraham) his (portion of) guidance, and We were Well-Acquainted with him (as to his Belief in the Oneness of Allâh, etc.).
52. When he said to his father and his people: "What are these images, to which you are devoted?"
53. They said:"We found our fathers worshipping them."
54. He said: "Indeed you and your fathers have been in manifest error."
· His image is then not like the mortal man or any other thing. And as such cannot be imagined by any mortal artist. His image is much more than we can imagine. That is because His powers cannot be imagine by our limited mind. His image cannot be rendered by our limited skills.
· His image is too great for our average eye to see when we cannot even see beyond our horizon. The eye of the human is not powerful even as some animals that have more sight than us. Our limitations as mere humans prevent us from seeing God’s great image.
· If God is pictured as something as low as men then we are to assumed that He will have powers only as a man. But His sight is not like us, only much more powerful, His hearing is not like us, only much more powerful, everything about Him is much more powerful any man would ever have.
· People have claimed to be spoken to by God or to have had a vision of Him. Satan can come to a person claiming to be such or such. He is the ultimate con artist and this is precisely why we don’t have an image of God. Because Satan would come to people using what they want to see as God and tell them to follow him; a false god. He can come to us using what we desperately wants to see and experience and for the vulnerable it can become a trap taking us away from the One True God. Jesus himself was tried in this way when Satan came to him in the desert to try leading him away from his beliefs.
· As we have seen in Christianity the “image” of Jesus is worshipped and his mother too. God has sent prophets to all people and when these prophets die, in their grief people make images of them and worship them. Also they might have seen them and wanted to have something to remember them by so they make images of them or there may be a thousand other reasons why people made images of their holy people. However these trends tend to lead people away from the One True God. What good is an intercessor when a person can pray straight to God? People do not need idols or images to pray to God. All that is required to have a sincere intention and to pray from the heart. God understands all language and with His most great and powerful hearing He can hear all zillions of us anytime, anywhere, anyhow.
· And to be politically correct what would He actually look like if his image was rendered as a man? A white man or a black man? A Chinese man or a Hispanic man? Who would be offended? Even women would begin to object; thinking why God has to be a man. Because He is not a man nor a woman nor any of His creations. He is one, unique, original and not represent able. And it is therefore not possible to make images of God.
Faith
Many religions depend on images to teach their religion but Islam does not. These religions share out booklets and pictures of highly idolized, very beautiful artificial pictures to seduce people to believe. It is easy to “fall in love” with a beautiful picture but the facts concerning the belief might not be strong enough to solicit faith in people while images can. Muslims believe in an unseen God. They do not need images to believe but the proof is all around us in God’s creations. What can be more beautiful than a snowflake, a single leaf, the amazing ant? God’s mastery and majesty is in nature all around us.
Allah (swt) says in the Qur'an:
"Verily in that are Signs for those who are wise.”
[Al-Qur’an 30:24]
It is easy to fall in love with a beautiful face but to love someone for their character and qualities is much more deep and difficult. To love and belief in an unseen God is the ultimate belief. How many times have our parents or someone in authority said” Trust me”?
It is for this reasons that images of God, prophets and holy saints are not allowed. Because this would take away from the simple yet amazing signs of creation around us.
We also would not need to have “heroes” or be “fans” of famous people. We put our faith and trust in God. These people cannot solve our problems and give us sustenance but rather distract us from the real and one true God. He is the one who we should be fans of. The One in whom we put all our faith and trust without having a fake image in front of us.
Imagery comes to us when we listen to the Qur'an and it melodious recitation brings to mind pictures when tell a thousand words.
Quran and Hadith on Images
Defining Islamic Art
The most important part of Islamic Art is the prohibition of realistic images of humans and animals.
The Quran and Hadith advise us on this area.
Hadith - Bukhari 3:428, Narrated Said bin Abu Al-Hasan
While I was with Ibn 'Abbas a man came and said, "O father of 'Abbas! My sustenance is from my manual profession and I make these pictures." Ibn 'Abbas said, "I will tell you only what I heard from Allah's Apostle . I heard him saying, 'Whoever makes a picture will be punished by Allah till he puts life in it, and he will never be able to put life in it.' “Hearing this, that man heaved a sigh and his face turned pale. Ibn 'Abbas said to him, "What a pity! If you insist on making pictures I advise you to make pictures of trees and any other inanimate objects."
Hadith -Bukhari 4:47, Narrated 'Aisha
I stuffed for the Prophet a pillow decorated with pictures (of animals) which looked like a Namruqa (i.e. a small cushion). He came and stood among the people with excitement apparent on his face. I said, "O Allah's Apostle! What is wrong?" He said, "What is this pillow?" I said, "I have prepared this pillow for you, so that you may recline on it." He said,
"Don't you know that angels do not enter a house wherein there are pictures; and whoever makes a picture will be punished on the Day of Resurrection and will be asked to give life to (what he has created)?"
Hadith - Bukhari 4:448, Narrated Abu Talha
I heard Allah's Apostle saying; "Angels (of Mercy) do not enter a house wherein there is a dog or a picture of a living creature (a human being or an animal)."
Hadith -Bukhari 5:338, Narrated Ibn Abbas
Abu Talha, a companion of Allah's Apostle and one of those who fought at Badr together with Allah's Apostle told me that Allah's Apostle said. "Angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or a picture."
Hadith - Muslim, Narrated Ali ibn AbuTalib
AbulHayyaj al-Asadi told that Ali ibn AbuTalib said to him: Should I not send you on the same mission as Allah's Messenger sent me? Do not leave an image without obliterating it, or a high grave without levelling it.
Hadith - Bukhari 8:151, Narrated 'Aisha
I used to play with the dolls in the presence of the Prophet , and my girl friends also used to play with me. When Allah's Apostle used to enter (my dwelling place) they used to hide themselves, but the Prophet would call them to join and play with me. (The playing with the dolls and similar images is forbidden, but it was allowed for 'Aisha at that time, as she was a little girl, not yet reached the age of puberty.) (Fateh-al-Bari page 143, Vol.13)
Hadith - Abu Dawud, Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin
When the Apostle of Allah arrived after the expedition to Tabuk or Khaybar (the narrator is doubtful), the draught raised an end of a curtain which was hung in front of her store-room, revealing some dolls which belonged to her. He asked: What is this? She replied: My dolls. Among them he saw a horse with wings made of rags, and asked: What is this I see among them? She replied: A horse. He asked: What is this that it has on it? She replied: Two wings. He asked: A horse with two wings? She replied: Have you not heard that Solomon had horses with wings? She said: Thereupon the Apostle of Allah laughed so heartily that I could see his molar teeth.
The most important part of Islamic Art is the prohibition of realistic images of humans and animals.
The Quran and Hadith advise us on this area.
Hadith - Bukhari 3:428, Narrated Said bin Abu Al-Hasan
While I was with Ibn 'Abbas a man came and said, "O father of 'Abbas! My sustenance is from my manual profession and I make these pictures." Ibn 'Abbas said, "I will tell you only what I heard from Allah's Apostle . I heard him saying, 'Whoever makes a picture will be punished by Allah till he puts life in it, and he will never be able to put life in it.' “Hearing this, that man heaved a sigh and his face turned pale. Ibn 'Abbas said to him, "What a pity! If you insist on making pictures I advise you to make pictures of trees and any other inanimate objects."
Hadith -Bukhari 4:47, Narrated 'Aisha
I stuffed for the Prophet a pillow decorated with pictures (of animals) which looked like a Namruqa (i.e. a small cushion). He came and stood among the people with excitement apparent on his face. I said, "O Allah's Apostle! What is wrong?" He said, "What is this pillow?" I said, "I have prepared this pillow for you, so that you may recline on it." He said,
"Don't you know that angels do not enter a house wherein there are pictures; and whoever makes a picture will be punished on the Day of Resurrection and will be asked to give life to (what he has created)?"
Hadith - Bukhari 4:448, Narrated Abu Talha
I heard Allah's Apostle saying; "Angels (of Mercy) do not enter a house wherein there is a dog or a picture of a living creature (a human being or an animal)."
Hadith -Bukhari 5:338, Narrated Ibn Abbas
Abu Talha, a companion of Allah's Apostle and one of those who fought at Badr together with Allah's Apostle told me that Allah's Apostle said. "Angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or a picture."
Hadith - Muslim, Narrated Ali ibn AbuTalib
AbulHayyaj al-Asadi told that Ali ibn AbuTalib said to him: Should I not send you on the same mission as Allah's Messenger sent me? Do not leave an image without obliterating it, or a high grave without levelling it.
Hadith - Bukhari 8:151, Narrated 'Aisha
I used to play with the dolls in the presence of the Prophet , and my girl friends also used to play with me. When Allah's Apostle used to enter (my dwelling place) they used to hide themselves, but the Prophet would call them to join and play with me. (The playing with the dolls and similar images is forbidden, but it was allowed for 'Aisha at that time, as she was a little girl, not yet reached the age of puberty.) (Fateh-al-Bari page 143, Vol.13)
Hadith - Abu Dawud, Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin
When the Apostle of Allah arrived after the expedition to Tabuk or Khaybar (the narrator is doubtful), the draught raised an end of a curtain which was hung in front of her store-room, revealing some dolls which belonged to her. He asked: What is this? She replied: My dolls. Among them he saw a horse with wings made of rags, and asked: What is this I see among them? She replied: A horse. He asked: What is this that it has on it? She replied: Two wings. He asked: A horse with two wings? She replied: Have you not heard that Solomon had horses with wings? She said: Thereupon the Apostle of Allah laughed so heartily that I could see his molar teeth.
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