Summary of "حديث التصميم - 22 رمضان - مصطفى بن حموش - العمارة الإسلامية: حصيلة 40 سنة من التساؤلات"

Summary of the YouTube Video

“حديث التصميم - 22 رمضان - مصطفى بن حموش - العمارة الإسلامية: حصيلة 40 سنة من التساؤلات”

Main Ideas and Concepts

1. Introduction and Context

The lecture is part of a Ramadan Design Talk series featuring Professor Dr. Mustafa Bin Hamoush, reflecting on 40 years of inquiry into Islamic architecture. It addresses the origins, definitions, challenges, and contemporary relevance of Islamic architecture.

2. Origins and Terminology of “Islamic Architecture”

The term “Islamic architecture” was coined primarily by Western Orientalists during colonial times, based on scientific and objective studies but often accompanied by Eurocentric judgments.
Early studies were dominated by foreign scholars and Western frameworks, especially in regions like Algeria.
Despite its colonial origins, the extensive Orientalist literature remains a valuable resource, though it requires critical reading to separate objective findings from biased interpretations.

3. Key Problems and Debates Surrounding Islamic Architecture

Religious vs. Secular: Islamic architecture is often viewed as religious architecture because of the prominence of mosques. However, Islam encompasses a broad social and civic life, influencing various architectural forms beyond religious buildings.
Historical Plagiarism: Islamic architecture incorporated elements from Byzantine, Roman, Persian, and other traditions, leading to accusations of borrowing or plagiarism. Examples include the Umayyad Mosque (built on a cathedral) and Ottoman architecture (influenced by Byzantine Hagia Sophia).
Geographical Diversity: Islamic architecture spans vast regions (Andalusia, North Africa, Middle East, Asia), resulting in diverse styles with little formal similarity, challenging the notion of a singular “Islamic style.”
Historicism and Heritage: Islamic architecture is often studied historically, focusing on specific eras and styles. Heritage is valued but risks becoming mere pastiche or nostalgic imitation rather than a dynamic, evolving practice.
Problematic Examples: Some structures labeled as Islamic architecture (e.g., shrines, Alhambra with its lions) conflict with Islamic principles, raising questions about what truly constitutes Islamic architecture.

4. Linguistic and Semantic Foundations

Classical Arabic lexicons define architecture broadly as building, settlement, and transformation of land, linking it to human habitation and reform.
The adjective “Islamic” implies architecture influenced by Islamic teachings, laws, and ethics, not merely architecture in Muslim-majority lands.
Islamic architecture must be understood through Islam as a comprehensive system of beliefs, behaviors, and transactions, deriving principles from the Quran, Sunnah, Sharia, and jurisprudence.

5. Distinction Between Islamic Architecture and Muslim Architecture

Islamic Architecture: A set of principles, rulings, and guidelines derived from Islamic teachings shaping architecture and urbanism.
Muslim Architecture: The diverse, practical architectural expressions produced by Muslim societies, influenced by local culture, geography, history, and sometimes deviating from Islamic principles.

6. Contemporary Reality and Challenges

Many Islamic countries seek to reclaim Islamic architecture as a cultural and national identity marker, often expressed through monumental mosques and symbolic forms.
Modern architecture is heavily influenced by Western concepts, focusing on visual aesthetics, materialism, and innovation for its own sake, often neglecting Islamic ethical and spiritual dimensions.
Islamic architecture should transcend Western dualities (spiritual/material, ethical/utilitarian) and embrace a holistic approach integrating ethics, environment, and social justice.

7. Interaction with Western and Global Architecture

Islam allows adaptation and assimilation of architectural elements from other cultures as long as they align with Islamic principles.
Western architectural heritage is a human legacy that can be used positively; Muslims historically borrowed and adapted from other traditions.
Contemporary Islamic architecture must engage with modern technologies, sustainability, and innovation without losing Islamic identity.

8. Ten Essential Principles for Contemporary Islamic Architecture

Acknowledge the existence and validity of Islamic architecture as a concept.
Approach Islam as a comprehensive knowledge system influencing architecture.
Reject inherited frameworks based solely on history, geography, or heritage without critical revision.
Consider architecture as encompassing everyday life, not just monuments.
Overcome Western-imposed dualities and epistemological obstacles.
Liberate Islamic architecture from rigid formal molds (domes, arches, courtyards).
Use heritage critically as inspiration, not as a blueprint.
Address contemporary challenges (pollution, globalization, social issues) through Islamic principles.
Recognize that Islamic architecture requires a societal foundation where Islamic culture circulates and is understood.
Emphasize ijtihad (independent reasoning) for renewal and creativity rooted in Islamic ethics and excellence, not mere novelty or commercialism.

9. Additional Insights from the Discussion and Q&A

Modern science and technology should be embraced to innovate Islamic architecture while grounded in Islamic principles.
Islamic architecture cannot be fully realized without societal transformation and cultural awareness.
The relationship between Islamic art and architecture is integral but distinct from Western art traditions, with different goals and values.
Historical influences from Islamic architecture on the European Renaissance exist but require further academic study.
The challenge remains to translate the holistic, utopian academic concept of Islamic architecture into practical, contemporary architectural practice.
Current architectural education remains heavily Western-oriented, slowing progress toward authentic Islamic architecture.

Methodology / Instructions for Approaching Islamic Architecture

(as outlined by Dr. Mustafa Bin Hamoush)

Accept the concept of Islamic architecture as valid and necessary.
Study Islam comprehensively (Quran, Sunnah, Sharia, jurisprudence) to extract architectural principles.
Critically evaluate inherited historical, geographical, and heritage frameworks; revise as needed.
Expand the scope of Islamic architecture beyond religious monuments to everyday urban and architectural life.
Overcome Western dualistic epistemologies and integrate ethical, spiritual, material, and social dimensions holistically.
Avoid rigid adherence to traditional forms; allow flexibility and innovation rooted in Islamic values.
Use heritage as inspiration, not as a literal model; apply intelligent reuse and reinterpretation.
Address contemporary societal and environmental challenges through Islamic principles.
Foster societal cultural awareness and circulation of Islamic knowledge to support architectural practice.
Employ ijtihad (independent reasoning) to creatively renew Islamic architecture with sincerity, piety, and excellence.

Speakers and Sources Featured

Professor Dr. Mustafa Bin Hamoush – Main speaker, expert in Islamic architecture with 40 years of research.
Professor Abeer Lahham – Researcher in contemporary Islamic architecture, posed questions about societal prerequisites for Islamic architecture.
Dr. Hani Al-Qahtani – Academic commentator emphasizing practical application and societal realities of Islamic architecture.
Professor Hisham Al-Eid – Commented on the relationship between Islamic architecture and Islamic art.
Professor Jamil Akbar – Referenced regarding architecture in the land of Islam.

Orientalist Scholars Mentioned: Sauget, Georges Marçais, William Marçais, Le Tourneau, Creswell, Louis Massignon, Dossin, Olli Grab, Renata Hollo, Robert Hanbrand, Robert Branch, Stefano Bianca.

Islamic Thinkers Referenced: Mohammed Arkoun, Ismail Raji al-Faruqi, Hossein Nasr, Abu al-Ma’ali al-Juwayni, Abu Ishaq al-Shatibi, Tahir ibn Ashur, Farid al-Ansari.

Other Architects Mentioned: Hassan Fathy, Rafiq Tadjiri, Rasem Badran, Abdul Wahid al-Wakil.

Conclusion

The lecture provides a comprehensive, critical, and reflective examination of Islamic architecture as both a discipline and practice. It highlights the complexity of defining Islamic architecture, its historical and cultural diversity, and the necessity of rooting contemporary Islamic architectural practice in a deep understanding of Islamic principles, societal context, and openness to innovation.

The dialogue stresses the importance of transcending colonial and Western legacies to create a living, dynamic Islamic architecture relevant to modern challenges and societies.

End of Summary