Behind the Veil

Friday Mosque at Reza'riyah

Behind the Veil

The Mihrab and its arabesque patterns display the marriage between the aesthetic, mathematical, and symbolical to express the transcendental nature of Allah. 

The continuous, highly detailed arabesque patterns of the Mihrab symbolize the infinite and transcendental nature of Allah. These essential arabesque patterns evoke a sense of humility within the viewer as he is confronted by the seemingly boundless geometrical formations of the Mihrab, which serve a similar purpose to those of the circular gateways found atop domed churches in the early Christian period. However, unlike the Christian gateways, whose elevated, remote locations emphasize the toilsome spiritual ascension required for salvation, Islamic effigies express the attainability of Jannah and the inclusive nature of Islam through their immense size and grounded location. This contrast further asserts the lack of hierarchical structure in Islam and its rejection of the material, in its search for a unique, spiritual connection with Allah.

The implicit language and symbolism of the Mihrab indicate not only the central role of Arabic in Muslim culture, but also its ability to coalesce the followers of Islam. Due to the relative repression of imagery in Islamic art Muslims increasingly turn to the Arabic language to satisfy their natural desire for expression. The combination of Arabic’s important role in the Islamic faith and its pervasion of Muslim society have made it, along with arabesque patterns, both a symbol of Islamic culture and a unifying motif for all Muslims.

In addition to some of the less distinct themes discussed above, the Mihrab is also a clear, explicit display of Islam’s cultural superiority and power during the middle ages. Unlike their Christian counterparts, Muslim artists of this period depended less on the artificial enhancers of coruscating metals to express their devotion and submission to God, and, instead, were able to articulate their relationship with Allah through complex, sophisticated, and original art. The complex symbology and underlying themes of arabesque patterns stand in clear opposition to the frontal and simplistic nature of Christian art prevalent during the late middle ages. This artistic sophistication allows Islamic art to convey spirituality without the loaded imagery of Christian iconography. This contrast is further reflected in the differing, yet similar, ideology of these two monotheistic traditions, Islam emphasizing the importance of both mind and spirit and Christianity championing the spirit’s triumph over the material.