The Muslim Arts Essay Example for Free

The Muslim Arts Essay Introduction Assalam-al-aluikum, through out this booklet Im going to describe about how Islam, one of todays leading religions, started off. I am also going to show you some of the worlds most beautiful calligraphy, most well decorated mosques and the most famous historic Islamic landmarks. I will also be explaining a few basic principles and the meanings of some of the holy words in the Quran. The Holy Prophet The prophet Muhammad was born in 571CE. He was born into one of the most rich and powerful Quraish tribes. He never saw his father and his mother died when he was six years old. He then lived with his grandfather, until he was eight years old. When he died he moved to live with his Uncle Abu Talib, who cared and protected him. Muhammad soon began to look after his uncles sheep and helped in expanding his uncles profits and trade. He became respected by many merchants, by doing many things e.g. He had an honest trade and never over charged any man and if anybody overpaid him he would travel all the way back to the man no matter where he is or how far away, to give him back his money, sheep etc. This is one of the many stories about him, the prophet sold some camels to man. After the man had left, the prophet remembered that one of the camels had 1 lame leg so at once Muhammad galloped after the man so he could give the man back the price of the camel, (it took the prophet 1-week to catch that man up). Such acts like this had been unheard of and soon a Rich widow in Mecca called Khadija who was known for her independance and nobleness heard about Muhammads honesty asked him to work for her in her large business. Muhammad accepted the offer and did trading trips for her by going to Syria with another slave called Maisarah. Maisarah spoke about Muhammad to her master very highly. Khadija completely won over by Muhammads honesty and manners asked him to marry her. Muhammad after talking to his close relatives agreed. Khadija was forty years old at the time and Muhammad was only twenty-five. As time wore on Muhammad became less and less involved with the business and spent more time thinking about all the problems of the world and in helping the poor people of Mecca. Muhammad used money as a means to free slaves. He had 7 children, 4 daughters 3 sons, all his sons died in infancy. Muhammad often went to mount Hira, where he spent a very long time thinking about different matters. One day after staying in the mountain for a very long time (610A.D) the angel Jibril appeared to him and brought the first message of Allah, that there is only 1 God and Muhammad is his prophet. The appearance of the angel was a strange thing that had never happened to him before, so he ran home and first told Khadija. Islam was a message to save mankind from suffering and illness. It was to teach kindness and to lead men to live good and clean lives and to test who can withstand all the worlds evil temptations. It also teaches you self-discipline, because youre the only one who can stop yourself from doing bad things. Famous Historic Landmarks In Islam there are many very magnificent old architural Mosques and buildings. Most of them have some of the most exquisite patterns and symbolic calligraphy along the inside and outside of the walls. Most of them were built where they are because something special happened there as you can see in the following. The Dome of The Rock The Dome of the Rock was built in Jerusalem and it is called the most beautiful building in Jerusalem, the Dome of the Rock is the holiest Muslim shrine in the city. I have been inside it once and Muslims believe that gold-domed building was built over the rock from which Muhammad rose to heaven. Jews also believe it is the place Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Taj Mahal The Taj Mahal, designed as a tomb for the wife of a 17th-century Mughal emperor, was constructed by about 20,000 workers from 1631 to 1648 in Agra, a city in northern India. The massive domed structure was constructed using Islamic style, using white marble and inlaid gems. At each corner is a minaret (prayer tower), and passages from the Quran, the Muslim holy book, cover the outside walls. The bodies of the emperor and his wife remain in a room below the building. Mecca The al-Haram Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, holds the holiest shrine of Islam, the Kaaba. As the birthplace of Islams founder, the prophet Muhammad, Mecca is considered a holy city. It is a pilgrimage point for Muslims worldwide, who are expected to visit the city at least once if they are able to do so. The Kaaba Pilgrimage to the Kaaba Muslims consider the Kaaba a small sanctuary near the centre of the Great Mosque in Mecca to be the most sacred place on earth. Muslim legend teaches that the ancient religious patriarchs Abraham and Ishmael built the shrine using foundations first laid by Adam. Muslims all over the world face towards the Kaaba while praying, and every able Muslim is expected to make a pilgrimage to the Kaaba at least once in his or her lifetime. This picture shows pilgrimage ceremonies, which consist of several days of rituals and festivals during the Islamic month of pilgrimages, Dhu al-Hijja. ISLAMIC CALLIGRAPHY ART Delicate glassware decorated in enamels was produced over many centuries in the Islamic world. This early 14th-century mosque lamp is covered with three inscriptions from the Koran delineated in Kufic script. When the lamp was lit, the flame within accentuated the elegant calligraphy. Miniature painting, in the form of illustrations to secular texts, was one of the few art forms in which the Islamic faith permitted the depiction of living things. This miniature by Aqa Mirak, a court painter to Tahmasp (1524-1576) illustrates a story; a fight seems to have occurred, and the loser is on his back. In the background a gardener works industriously. Mosaic Decoration Because the representation of living things were forbidden in Islamic religion, abstract patterns, usually depicted in mosaic, were used, and these reached great heights of refinement in Islamic architectural decoration. This intricate geometric scheme, used in conjunction with quotations from the Koran in the elegant Kufic script, decorates the interior of a madrasah in Eà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½fahà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½n, Iran. Central Dome, Hagia Sophia, Istanbul The central dome of Hagia Sophia is decorated with intricate geometric patterns created by means of small pieces of gilded glass and marble of different colours. Roundels enclosing gold calligraphic script fill the pendentives. Such abstract patterns, used with quotations from the Koran executed in the elegant Kufic script, are typical of Islamic decorative schemes. ISLAMIC PAINTINGS Laila and Majnun at School Bizhad, one of the great Persian miniature painters, gave new impetus to the Oriental tradition of miniature painting.Laila and Majnun at School (1494) shows his skilful use of pattern and colour, and his graceful, calligraphic line. The flat, layered perspective shows the influence of Chinese landscapes. The juxtaposition of scenes taking place indoors and outdoors is particularly notable. Persian Manuscript A range of texts, from the Koran to scientific and literary works, and books of tales and fables, were illuminated in Islamic Persia. This page, from a Persian manuscript dating from the 13th century, consists of text and an accompanying illustration showing a group of men on horseback. Bibliography 1. Encarta Encyclopaedia 2002 2. Encyclopaedia Britannica 2001 3. Heroes of Islam Prophet Muhammed 4. Focus on Islam 5. www.islamicart.com 6. Skills in Religious Studies 2

Importance of the Setting in Uncle Toms Cabin :: Uncle Toms Cabin Essays

Importance of the Setting in Uncle Tom's Cabin The book, "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was obviously a novel where the setting was the major factor in the plot of the story. If this had taken place in any other area, like Canada, there would not have even been as story because slavery did not exist there. Therefore the South was the prime region to have this plot revolve around. Everything contained here contributed to the actions of the characters, which will be explained in the following paragraphs. The setting was such an important influence because, like I said before, it took place down in the South. This is where slavery was at its peak and was used and abused by almost every citizen. The black race was treated harshly just because of their color. They were beaten, over-worked, and disrespected. Most of them were illiterate as well which did not help one bit. In turn they could not make intelligent decisions, better yet pursue what they wanted. Even if they had that ability though, that option was not available because they were "black". The details of the setting that influenced the actions of the characters were, again, the time period and where it took place. However this was not the only thing that persuaded the characters because they influenced each other. The citizens followed the crowd and did not have their own opinions. If some person's idea differed from that of the majority, he/she would not dare speak up because they feared rejection. Legree was one of the people looked up to and respected even though what he was dong was totally wrong. Since he had power and money though, he was admired. The only three people that actually did take a stand, if you will, were George Shelby Jr., Augustine St. Clare, and his daughter, Evangeline. These three characters opposed slavery and tried to do something about it. (Unfortunately, though, the St. Clare's efforts were diminished because they both died). They were the citizens that should have been looked up to and followed. Specific examples that show the setting's influence on the characters were all over the book. The next three excerpts will give you an illustration of them.

Beneatha Younger

Beneatha Younger, an important character in A Raisin In The Sun , values good people. She does not think   of herself as black, she thinks of herself as an American human. She knows George Murchison and Mama and Ruth want tem to get married. He's a black American as well, but sees absolutely no reason to honor their African heritage. George sees himself as an American first and foremost and thinks that blacks who spend a lot of time worrying about Africa are wasting their time.Unsurprisingly, Beneatha seems to not be into George at all. Then after a strange turn of events she starts to love Joeseph Asagai and wants to learn about Africa. Benetha values a great education. She is aspiring to be a doctor an is attending college. College education has helped to make her progressive, independent, and a total feminist. She brings politics into the apartment and always talks about civil rights. During this play, she fights with her identity as an African-American woman.Asagai criticizes h er, saying that she's â€Å"assimilated,† meaning that she tries to hide her African-ness by acting white. He uses her hair as an example. Asagai can't understand why she and most other black women in America straighten their hair instead of leaving it naturally curly. Unlike the rest of her family, Beneatha looks beyond her immediate situation in an effort to understand herself as a member of a greater whole. As she becomes more educated, it becomes increasingly hard for Beneatha to relate to the rest of her family.Sometimes she can be a bit condescending and seems to forget that her family members (especially her mother) all work very hard to help put her through school. However, this character flaw only serves to make her seem all the more understandable and human. Ultimately, Beneatha is a kind and generous person, who seeks to become a doctor out of a desire to help people. In conclusion, Beneatha Younger, a main character in A Raisin In The Sun values many things. She v alues good people , good education and Independence.

Descriptive Essay - Original Writing - 1374 Words

Countdown John is being nice to me, and that’s weird. Weird is bad. Really bad. In fact everyone is being nice to me today. I woke up as irritable and bleary eyed as normal, but there were waffles. Actual waffles! My parents hadn t made breakfast since my first day of college in year nine, much less my favourite food. Even more amazing was the discovery that these waffles were homemade, not even the stale, artificial packet kind. They re the wake up 2 hours earlier; made this morning kind. The response I got from dad when I asked him what this was all about wasn’t anything I could’ve predicted. â€Å"Well you know, I was up early and I kinda just felt like waffles so I thought it would be nice.† This response isn t a plausible explanation because God knows how many times I’ve heard his muttering protest about making mum’s morning coffee. Waffles actually take effort, ingredients, measurement, patience and, is that juice? Awestruck, I lifted my head to look at him to find he was already looking at me. He just smiled and returned to stirring his cup of tea at the dinner table. The thing that unsettled me wasn’t so much the food or the fact he was actually acknowledging me this early in the day, but it was his smile. It wasn’t a smile you give from one loved one to another, it was more a sad smile, a pitying smile. My eyes flicked to the number above his head, steadily counting down. 29 Years, 173 days, 4 hours, 33 minutes and 17, 16, 15, 14†¦ That how long he had left. How longShow MoreRelatedDescriptive Essay - Original Writing1110 Words   |  5 PagesI don’t know how I got to where I am, but I’m here now, and I have to win if I want to live. I am in a game, and in order to live, I have to escape. That’s the thing, though: I don’t know how to escape. I was running for my life around this old house that looked like it came straight out of a horror movie. 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