Tracing the Historical Origins of Islamic Art from 622 to 662AD

Abstract

This research aims to track the origination of Islamic art developed in the Islamic era in the time of the prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and the time of the early Caliphs (622-662). This research uses a historical approach to discover the emergence of Islamic art based on the chronology of that origination. The research found that the first origination of Islamic art was in the era of the prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and not in later eras as some resources have mentioned, although that beginning was very simple. The beginnings of Islamic art arose from the need to use the art itself. The first emergence of Islamic art was in the field of Islamic architecture, and it had begun in building mosques for the daily needs of Muslims for establishing prayers. Qebaa Mosque and the mosque of the prophet Muhammad in Al-Medina are the first evidence of the emergence of Islamic art. Arabic calligraphy also contributed to the emergence of Islamic art through writing the holy Quran and messages of the prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.