Question

Read the excerpts by Seyyed Hosein Nasr and Daud Sutton. Explain the relationship between the concept of Divine unity and the void in relation to Islamic art. How do the tradition of geometric design, natural motifs and calligraphy express core theological insights and beliefs about the Divine? Use the instructions found in the excerpt from Sutton’s book to create a geometric design and include this in your journal submission.

Answer 1

Seyyed Hossein Nasr reveals about the importance of Islamic art and its unity with one's inner higher self. He explains that art form is Islam is not a work of fiction, but is based on scientific structure of quantum-theology and spirituality. The art structures in different forms like that of calligraphy, music,painting etc supports the spiritual fabric of inner human self. It connect to one's own inner reality and the collective reality of all. The inner wisdom of each crystallize the inner reality in time and space and it is through the union with inner reality, the manifestation of outer reality is achieved, which is perceived by our senses. It is through the art in Islamic tradition, that creates a pathway for a journey from the finity of our physical reality to the infinite soul, revealing the chambers of divine connection with the inner self. He further elaboratesby stating an example of the Sufi tradition in Islam, a form of transcending to the inner self through dance and music. The mystical teachers demonstrate the art of attaining a relationship with the divine and the spiritual self through the dance form. This form of connection between Islamic art and inner self reveals the dimensions and experiences of attaining unity with the infinte, which was absent in the art form of the western culture. The tradition of geometric design and natural motif expresses core theological insight about the divine in Islamic art, which is to have a dialectic conversation with oneself and the divine through the understanding of space and time, and not through the worshipping of idols. For example,Turkish architecture such as Hagia Sophia has incorporated the hemisphere of the cupola and the cube of the building itself to construct this masterpiece. It applies the logic of space(science). The mention of cupola is very well present in Roman architecture as well(where they merge with the four corners of the wall). However, in Islamic geometry the passage that forms between the cupola to the rectangle shape of the walls of Hagia Sophia, is percieved to be in a gradual state of crystallization. The cube emerges out of the cupola , which represents heaven and is in a continuous state of movement. The symbolism plays an important role in analysing and interpreting the Islamic art form. They express insightful theological insight which is presented in the form of anthropomorphic signs and symbols, rather than a presence of a statue of a deity(for example Hinduism). This form of art rejects objectification of presence of a God(by denying a statue to represent God), and instead internalize the presence of divinity within oneself through the Islamic art forms.