Riz
7th August 2007, 04:13 PM
With the birth of Islam emerged some of the brightest and most innovative minds. Throughout the centuries, Muslim contributions to countless disciplines would go on to greatly impact and influence much of the world. One such discipline -- landscape architecture -- is among the fields Muslims greatly flourished in. Islamic gardens display some of the most beautiful landscape architecture in the world.
Islamic garden designs originated in Arabia, and spread to regions like Persia, Spain, and India. The gardens created by the Arabs and those they conquered were far more advanced than that of the Europeans. Although Islamic garden architecture occurred about the same time as the revival of garden making in Europe, the Arabs added a style of their own that would later influence the gardening styles of the Europeans.
The inspiration for Islamic garden designs lies in the Muslim belief and vision of Heaven, or Paradise. In several verses of the Quran Muslims are given a glimpse of the rewards to come for the faithful in the Hereafter. In the Quran it says that believers will be rewarded with the splendors and bountiful beauty of paradise, which is described as gardens in heaven. Believers are promised gardens of heaven that have gushing fountains and flowing springs, fruit trees, and couches to recline in under the cool shade of trees.
"(For those who believe and do good), God has prepared Gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein forever: that is the Supreme Felicity." (9:100)
"For the righteous are Gardens in nearness to their Lord, therein is their Eternal Home." (3:15)
“And give glad tidings to those who believe and do righteous good deeds, that for them will be Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise).” (2:25)
“For those who fear their Lord, are Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise); therein are they to dwell (forever), an entertainment from Allâh; and that which is with Allâh is the Best for AlAbrâr (those who are obedient to Allâh and follow strictly His Orders).” (3:198)
Islamic gardens in Persia, Spain, and India were typically designed as a sort of escape or peaceful seclusion from the outside world. Waterworks and fountains were a common inclusion in Islamic gardens for their free flowing beauty and soothing sound. Artificial decorative elements were used in Islamic gardens as well, including the making of carpet-like parterres, and artificial trees and flowers made of precious metals and gemstones. Islamic gardens never contained statues or carved stone fountains with figures. Islam does not allow the use of such images.
Early Persian Islamic gardens typically featured water for irrigation, shade, flowers, and music and were enclosed within high walls or courtyards. Persians introduced the square or rectangular shaped garden carpets. These carpets, which could be laid out on the floor, contained designs of pools and water channels, flowers, rows of trees, and other garden designs. Garden carpets would serve as pleasant reminders of the beauty of one's garden, when a traveler was far a way from such luxuries.
Islamic gardening reached its peak in Muslim Spain. The courtyard gardens of Spain contained patios with cool fountains, shade from trees and pavilions, an abundance of fruit trees and colorful flowers, caged birds, and chimes. Trickling water, shade, color, and natural music from the relaxing sounds of fountains, were typical of Islamic courtyard gardens. The courtyard garden of the mosque at Cordoba, called the Patio de los Naranjos (“Courtyard of the Oranges”) was established in 976 AD, and is said to be the oldest enclosed garden in Europe.
Moghul Indian gardens were large and consisted of rectangular lakes which flowed into canals, trees planted in straight lines or rectangular blocks, and avenues. Moghul gardens contained central pavilions, which were often placed in the center of reservoirs with channels and pools radiating from the various façades. These pavilions often served as a tomb for its architect or owner after he died. The most well known garden mausoleum is the Taj Mahal in Agra, which was built by Emperor Shah Jehan for his beloved Persian wife, who died in childbirth in 1631.
The lush gardens created by Muslims were man-made inspirations of an earthly Paradise. A secret haven secluded from the outside world. A place of tranquility, meditation, reflection, and prayer. A modest prelude for what it is to come for believers in the Hereafter.
http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/news/news.php?article=691
Islamic garden designs originated in Arabia, and spread to regions like Persia, Spain, and India. The gardens created by the Arabs and those they conquered were far more advanced than that of the Europeans. Although Islamic garden architecture occurred about the same time as the revival of garden making in Europe, the Arabs added a style of their own that would later influence the gardening styles of the Europeans.
The inspiration for Islamic garden designs lies in the Muslim belief and vision of Heaven, or Paradise. In several verses of the Quran Muslims are given a glimpse of the rewards to come for the faithful in the Hereafter. In the Quran it says that believers will be rewarded with the splendors and bountiful beauty of paradise, which is described as gardens in heaven. Believers are promised gardens of heaven that have gushing fountains and flowing springs, fruit trees, and couches to recline in under the cool shade of trees.
"(For those who believe and do good), God has prepared Gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein forever: that is the Supreme Felicity." (9:100)
"For the righteous are Gardens in nearness to their Lord, therein is their Eternal Home." (3:15)
“And give glad tidings to those who believe and do righteous good deeds, that for them will be Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise).” (2:25)
“For those who fear their Lord, are Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise); therein are they to dwell (forever), an entertainment from Allâh; and that which is with Allâh is the Best for AlAbrâr (those who are obedient to Allâh and follow strictly His Orders).” (3:198)
Islamic gardens in Persia, Spain, and India were typically designed as a sort of escape or peaceful seclusion from the outside world. Waterworks and fountains were a common inclusion in Islamic gardens for their free flowing beauty and soothing sound. Artificial decorative elements were used in Islamic gardens as well, including the making of carpet-like parterres, and artificial trees and flowers made of precious metals and gemstones. Islamic gardens never contained statues or carved stone fountains with figures. Islam does not allow the use of such images.
Early Persian Islamic gardens typically featured water for irrigation, shade, flowers, and music and were enclosed within high walls or courtyards. Persians introduced the square or rectangular shaped garden carpets. These carpets, which could be laid out on the floor, contained designs of pools and water channels, flowers, rows of trees, and other garden designs. Garden carpets would serve as pleasant reminders of the beauty of one's garden, when a traveler was far a way from such luxuries.
Islamic gardening reached its peak in Muslim Spain. The courtyard gardens of Spain contained patios with cool fountains, shade from trees and pavilions, an abundance of fruit trees and colorful flowers, caged birds, and chimes. Trickling water, shade, color, and natural music from the relaxing sounds of fountains, were typical of Islamic courtyard gardens. The courtyard garden of the mosque at Cordoba, called the Patio de los Naranjos (“Courtyard of the Oranges”) was established in 976 AD, and is said to be the oldest enclosed garden in Europe.
Moghul Indian gardens were large and consisted of rectangular lakes which flowed into canals, trees planted in straight lines or rectangular blocks, and avenues. Moghul gardens contained central pavilions, which were often placed in the center of reservoirs with channels and pools radiating from the various façades. These pavilions often served as a tomb for its architect or owner after he died. The most well known garden mausoleum is the Taj Mahal in Agra, which was built by Emperor Shah Jehan for his beloved Persian wife, who died in childbirth in 1631.
The lush gardens created by Muslims were man-made inspirations of an earthly Paradise. A secret haven secluded from the outside world. A place of tranquility, meditation, reflection, and prayer. A modest prelude for what it is to come for believers in the Hereafter.
http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/news/news.php?article=691