A conceptual framework for sustainability in Islamic architecture: the significance of the concepts of man and the environment

In this paper, I have identified and briefly examined two Islamic concepts which constitute the nucleus of the conceptual framework for sustainability in Islamic architecture. The two concepts are: 1) man as the vicegerent (khalifah) on earth, and 2) natural environment as both a field and means for...

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Main Author:	Omer, Spahic
Format:	Article
Language:	English
Published:	Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia (IKIM) 2010
Subjects:	BL Religion
Online Access:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/3346/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/3346/5/A_conceptual_framework_for_sustainability_in_Islamic_Architecture.pdf

id	iium-3346
recordtype	eprints
spelling	iium-33462012-01-31T02:07:27Z http://irep.iium.edu.my/3346/ A conceptual framework for sustainability in Islamic architecture: the significance of the concepts of man and the environment Omer, Spahic BL Religion In this paper, I have identified and briefly examined two Islamic concepts which constitute the nucleus of the conceptual framework for sustainability in Islamic architecture. The two concepts are: 1) man as the vicegerent (khalifah) on earth, and 2) natural environment as both a field and means for man’s vicegerency mission. Central to the paper are the following themes: 1) the meaning and significance of Islamic architecture; 2) the position and role of man on earth; 3) peaceful and accountable (sustainable) coexistence with the environment; and 4) the implications of the Islamic concepts of man and the environment for sustainability in Islamic architecture. The paper is concluded by presenting some broad ideas as to the issue of pragmatism in practicing Islamic architecture today. The paper concludes that Islamic architecture is an architecture that through its multidimensionality embodies the message of Islam. It both facilitates the Muslims’ realization of the Islamic purpose and its divine principles on earth and promotes a lifestyle generated by such a philosophy and principles. At the core of Islamic architecture lies function with all of its dimensions: corporeal, cerebral and spiritual. The role of the form is an important one too, but only inasmuch as it supplements and enhances function. Indeed, one of the most recognizable features of Islamic architecture must always be sustainability. This is so because Islam, a comprehensive worldview, ethics and jurisprudence, aims to preserve man and his total wellbeing, i.e., his religion, self, mental strength, progeny (future generations) and wealth (personal, societal and natural). Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia (IKIM) 2010 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://irep.iium.edu.my/3346/5/A_conceptual_framework_for_sustainability_in_Islamic_Architecture.pdf Omer, Spahic (2010) A conceptual framework for sustainability in Islamic architecture: the significance of the concepts of man and the environment. TAFHIM: IKIM Journal of Islam and the Contemporary World, 3. pp. 49-74.
repository_type	Digital Repository
institution_category	Local University
institution	International Islamic University Malaysia
building	IIUM Repository
collection	Online Access
language	English
topic	BL Religion
spellingShingle	BL Religion Omer, Spahic A conceptual framework for sustainability in Islamic architecture: the significance of the concepts of man and the environment
description	In this paper, I have identified and briefly examined two Islamic concepts which constitute the nucleus of the conceptual framework for sustainability in Islamic architecture. The two concepts are: 1) man as the vicegerent (khalifah) on earth, and 2) natural environment as both a field and means for man’s vicegerency mission. Central to the paper are the following themes: 1) the meaning and significance of Islamic architecture; 2) the position and role of man on earth; 3) peaceful and accountable (sustainable) coexistence with the environment; and 4) the implications of the Islamic concepts of man and the environment for sustainability in Islamic architecture. The paper is concluded by presenting some broad ideas as to the issue of pragmatism in practicing Islamic architecture today. The paper concludes that Islamic architecture is an architecture that through its multidimensionality embodies the message of Islam. It both facilitates the Muslims’ realization of the Islamic purpose and its divine principles on earth and promotes a lifestyle generated by such a philosophy and principles. At the core of Islamic architecture lies function with all of its dimensions: corporeal, cerebral and spiritual. The role of the form is an important one too, but only inasmuch as it supplements and enhances function. Indeed, one of the most recognizable features of Islamic architecture must always be sustainability. This is so because Islam, a comprehensive worldview, ethics and jurisprudence, aims to preserve man and his total wellbeing, i.e., his religion, self, mental strength, progeny (future generations) and wealth (personal, societal and natural).
format	Article
author	Omer, Spahic
author_facet	Omer, Spahic
author_sort	Omer, Spahic
title	A conceptual framework for sustainability in Islamic architecture: the significance of the concepts of man and the environment
title_short	A conceptual framework for sustainability in Islamic architecture: the significance of the concepts of man and the environment
title_full	A conceptual framework for sustainability in Islamic architecture: the significance of the concepts of man and the environment
title_fullStr	A conceptual framework for sustainability in Islamic architecture: the significance of the concepts of man and the environment
title_full_unstemmed	A conceptual framework for sustainability in Islamic architecture: the significance of the concepts of man and the environment
title_sort	conceptual framework for sustainability in islamic architecture: the significance of the concepts of man and the environment
publisher	Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia (IKIM)
publishDate	2010
url	http://irep.iium.edu.my/3346/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/3346/5/A_conceptual_framework_for_sustainability_in_Islamic_Architecture.pdf
first_indexed	2023-09-18T20:11:08Z
last_indexed	2023-09-18T20:11:08Z
_version_	1777407485748969472

A conceptual framework for sustainability in Islamic architecture: the significance of the concepts of man and the environment

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