Explaining the Concept of Perfection (Kamal) in Historical Mosques of Iran

Document Type : Scientific Research

Author

Department of Architecture Jundi-Shapur University of Technology, Dezful Iran,

Abstract

Research Problem: Every creature in the universe is moving towards evolution and being in its perfected state. Man, like other creatures, is interested in evolving and he (she) moves his artefacts towards evolution. In fact, man, through his artifacts, shows the need to create perfect objects. However, the concept of evolution (Tahavol va Takwin) and perfection (Kamal) depends on the religion, culture and thought of every human being or society. The perfect human being (Insan-e-Kamel) is synonymous with the powerful human being or superhero. The more powerful one is, the higher the level of perfection he has attained to. Even if knowledge is of value, it is due to the fact that it enables the human being to strengthen himself and to subjugate the surrounding environment. Hence, whether or not art is perfect depends on man's view of perfection. Islam is emphatic in the assertion that man can reach perfection in the earthly, individual life and by making full use of all the worldly possibilities of his life. To avoid misunderstandings, the term ‘perfection’ will have to be defined in the sense it is used here. As long as we have to do with human, biologically limited beings, we cannot possibly consider the idea of ‘absolute’ perfection, because everything absolute belongs to the realm of Divine attributes alone. Perfection is in vision and acquisition. One must fully comprehend the Divine sciences and act accordingly. Perfection is dependent on sensing, for the human being is compelled to action when feeling threatened and realizing one’s own imperfection. The mosque symbolizes Islam and Islamic thought can be seen in these kind of building. In this research, an attempt has been made to examine the concept of Kamal in mosque architecture. First, a temporal correspondence between the two themes of Kamal's concept and form in the history of Iranian architecture and thought was examined.
Research Question: Research questions are: how the concept of perfection in the cultural geography of Iran in the Islamic era makes the shape of mosques? What has been the process of Kamal in the physical changes of mosques?”
Research Method: Methodology: The research method in this paper is based on Grounded Theory and case-studying. The method of data collection is based on documentary and library data.
The Most Important Results and Conclusion: In this regard, the theoretical framework of the research was created by relying on the stylistic method of Iranian architecture by Pirnia, Sabkshenasi, and separating mystical, theological and philosophical views. After a comparative study between the ideas of the Islamic era, it is clear that the three issues, including geometric arrangement method, hierarchical method, and method of using natural daylight in indoor and outdoor spaces of mosques, have been considered by Islamic philosophes. From each era, a number of index mosques have been selected and based on the three components mentioned, the analysis was performed. The results show that changes can be made between the evolution of thought and mosques form and circulation. These changes indicate the relative obedience of the form a d circulation to the prevailing mystical, jurisprudential and philosophical ideas of its time. The research findings show that in the study of the concept of Kamal in architecture, the concept of physical development (Takwin) should be used instead of the concept of perfection (Kamal).

Graphical Abstract

Explaining the Concept of Perfection (Kamal) in Historical Mosques of Iran

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Architectural Thought
Volume 5, Issue 10 - Serial Number 10
September 2021
Pages 36-54

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