Islamic Art (continued)

III. "Religious" Paintings in Islamic Art

The Qur'an prohibits the use of human and animal forms as part of Islamic religious art, and therefore, paintings which show people are not found in mosques. However, some "miniature paintings" (small paintings used to illustrate books) show "religious" art and include paintings of the Prophets. Generally, these are from Turkey, Persia, and India and even today are not acceptable in some other Muslim cultures.

How can some cultures paint humans and the Prophets themselves when Muhammad was so against idolatry? (For example, see the Hadith quoted in the introduction to Part One.)

These religious paintings are from late in the Middle Ages - more than 700 years after Muhammad lived - and from cultures that already had a tradition with paintings. At that time, Islam was not controlled from a central authority, but reflected different views from diverse cultures that had become Muslim. Paintings were even encouraged by the sultans (kings) of the Ottoman Turks, Safavid Persia, and Mughal India as part of the court art and separated from the mosques. The illustrated books (which are known as great poetry or literature, as well) were commissioned by the rulers, and were not "public" art. These illustrated books were used to tell the Story of the Prophet Muhammad and other Prophets to people who did not speak Arabic.

 

A. Religious Paintings - Turkish, Persian, and Indian Miniatures

Even the Turkish, Persian, and Indian paintings of the Prophet Muhammad usually show his face covered with a veil, out of respect. But this was not the custom in all cultures. For example:

 

1. Below, the archangel Gabriel brings the word of God to Muhammad. (Turkish poet - Siyer-i Nebi: The Life of the Prophet, 1595.)

 

2. Below is a painting showing Muhammad's trip in which he is shown sinners suffering in hell. This level of hell shows people who had cheated orphans. Muhammad is guided by the Archangel Gabriel and rides on a deer-like creature with the head of a woman, named Buraq. Here one sees a rare painting in which Muhammad's face is not veiled. [From Life of the Prophet]

3. Here is another painting showing the "Night Journey", Prophet Mohammed's great drama of the mysteries of the universe. He descended (went down) into the depths of hell, and ascended (went up) through seven spheres of existence to finally approach God. [From the Ascent of the Prophet Mohammed, from the Khamseh of Nizami, India, 16th century]

B. Paintings like these are not acceptable in all Muslim societies.

Learn more about Islamic religious paintings:   See a "slide show" of 16th century Turkish miniature paintings that tell about the Life of the Prophet (Hyperion Cultural Academy). [May currently be unavailable.] Religious Art: showing Muhammad the Prophet, Siyer-i Nebi: "The Life of the Prophet" and background on the book about the life of Muhammad. Turkish - Islamic Art showing illustrations of the Prophets (Adam, Noah, Joseph, and others) see "MFA- The Miniatures of the Zubdat-al-Tawarikh" (stories of the prophets) - Turkish, 16th century. Read a simpler version with fewer pictures. See Hyperion's Culture Academy: The Qur'an which shows three more examples of religious miniature art (Adam & Eve, Abraham, and Vision of Hell - Turkish miniatures - 16th century) [May currently be unavailable.] Early Arab miniatures also showed religious themes: Pilgrims to Mecca and Abu Zaud preaches (1300, Syria)

 

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