Cultural Influence On Islamic Art

Islam is a religious faith preached by the Prophet Mohammed (Pbuh). After the Prophet Mohammed's (Pbuh) death, Islam spread exponentially from its place of origin in the Arabian Gulf. The followers of the Prophet Mohammed (Pbuh), who are called Muslims, conquered the whole of the Middle East, as well as central Asia, Spain, North Africa and north and central India. Most of the conquered areas and countries accepted the Islamic religion.
Islam is more than just a religion; it is a way of living, a philosophy, a social and cultural being where art and architecture are part of it. When Islam started to spread, a unique style of Islamic art gradually developed. It is mainly used for religious architecture like mosques, book illustrations, and the design of pottery, metal ware, wood, and other useful objects. The different areas that followed the religion of Islam influenced Islamic art in varies ways. These styles included the Byzantine, late Roman, and Persian art.
Islamic art was guided by two religious restrictions. Prophet Mohammed warned artists not to imitate, the creator of life, God, by making art forms of living things. Religious art consisted of ornamental designs that did not represent animals or people. The second restriction did not encourage the use of very costly materials, which is why Islamic artists worked mainly with wood, …show more content…
In the Islamic world, calligraphy has been used to a much greater extent and in diverse and innovative ways, which have taken the written words far beyond pen and paper into an array of art forms using different materials and techniques. Calligraphy has been employed on every possible surface from monumental stone structures to delicate stained glasses or silk robes –not only to record information, but also to express visual beauty reminding the observer of the divine mystical