The History and Architecture of AL-MASJID AL-HARAM

• Main Author: Spahic Omer (Author)
• Format: Book
• Language: English
• Published: Kuala Lumpur Institut Terjemahan & Buku Malaysia 2018
• Subjects: Masjid al-Haram; Mosques > Mecca > Saudi Arabia; Architecture, Islamic > Mecca > Saudi Arabia; Mosques > Islamic countries
• Online Access: Click Here to View Status and Holdings.
• Physical Description: xii, 249 pages illustrations 23 cm
• Bibliography: Includes bibliographical references (pages 241-246) and index
• ISBN: 9789674607852

This book deals with the themes of the history and architecture of Al-Masjid Al-Haram. The time-frame covered in the book is one commencing with Prophet Adam and ending with the first half of the era of the Ottoman Turks. The importance of the book lies in the fact that the history of Al-Masjid Al-Haram in many ways embodied the history and development of Islamic civilisation. Moreover, on account of Al-Masjid Al-Haram phenomenon being an institutional marvel, structure and a architectural space, it likewise embodied and reflected, to a large extent, the history and evolution of the identity of Islamic architecture. Concurrently with the development of Al-Masjid Al-Haram, Islamic art and architecture were also acquiring their trademark identities, breaking through and ultimately dominating the world's cultural and civilizational scenes. It thus can be deduced that the three: Al-Masih Al-Haram, Islamic civilisation and Islamic architecture, were advancing together, one influencing and being influenced by the others. Studying thoroughly any one of them connotes studying a great deal of the other two as well. So integral and inter-reliant were they that irrespective of which one could be the cause and which one the effect, they - and indeed the whole Muslim community (Ummah) with them - are bound to rise and wane together. The book, it follows, offers some essential lessons on the theory, history and philosophy, of Islamic architecture - as well as civilisation - based on the colourful history and development of Al-Masjid Al-Haram.