03.01 Monuments of Faith

Flashcards about Islamic art and architecture, including key terms, definitions, and historical context.

Islam

"Submission to the one God." Followers are called Muslims (those who submit).

Muslims

Those who submit to the one God (Allah) in Islam.

Hijra

Muhammad's flight from Mecca to Medina in 622 C.E., marking the start of the Islamic calendar.

Koran

The sacred book of Islam, containing revelations from Muhammad, arranged into 114 surahs (chapters).

Surah

Chapters in the Koran; the Koran consists of 114 surahs.

Shahadah

The first pillar of Islam: Affirmation of belief in one God and Muhammad as His messenger.

Salat

The second pillar of Islam: Praying five times a day facing Mecca.

Zakah

The third pillar of Islam: Giving alms to the poor.

Sawm

The fourth pillar of Islam: Fasting during the month of Ramadan.

Hajj

The fifth pillar of Islam: Pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime (if possible).

Kaaba

A cube-shaped shrine in Mecca, believed to have been built by Abraham and Ishmael and dedicated to God.

Aniconism

Avoids the use of figural imagery and graven images in religious contexts in Islamic art.

Dome of the Rock

The first great Islamic monument, located in Jerusalem, built on the Foundation Stone.

Masjid

The Arabic word for mosque, meaning "place of prostration."

Qibla Wall

The wall in a mosque facing Mecca, indicating the direction for prayer.

Mihrab

A semicircular niche in the qibla wall of a mosque, signifying the spot where Muhammad led prayer.

Hypostyle Prayer Hall

Large halls supported by columns in early mosques.

Minaret

A tower used to call worshipers to prayer and a visual representation of Islam’s presence in a community.

Iwan

Vaulted rectangular recesses surrounding a courtyard, sometimes included in early mosques.

Minbar

A pulpit from which the sermon is delivered during the Friday prayer in a mosque.

Madrasas

Educational institutions for advanced religious study that predate modern universities, developed by the Seljuk Turks.

Mimar Sinan

The chief architect of the Ottoman Empire, renowned for his work on grand mosques like the Selimiye Mosque.

Selimiye Mosque

A mosque in Edirne, Turkey, designed by Mimar Sinan, featuring a central dome and tall minarets.

Mosque of Córdoba

A mosque in Andalusia, Spain, originally a Visigothic church, known for its horseshoe arches and double arches.

Horseshoe Arches

Distinctive arches with a rounded shape, often featuring red-and-white striped patterns, iconic in Islamic architecture, notably in the Mosque of Córdoba.

Great Mosque of Isfahan

A hypostyle mosque in Isfahan, Iran, featuring a large courtyard, four iwans, and diverse interior ornamentation.

Petra

The capital of the Nabataeans in modern-day Jordan, showcasing rock-cut facades and cross-cultural architectural influences.