Islamic Art
The Spirituality of Light
The mosque lamp stands as a short-hand motif for the light and knowledge of God
In the so-called “light verse” of the Qur’an, God is described as the light of the heavens and the earth. An analogy is made, describing the light of God as being like a lamp within a niche, made out of crystal, lit from the oil of an olive tree that glows without being touched by fire, and shining like a star. This imagery has pervaded the Muslim imagination and has provided a key motif within the decoration of mosques throughout the Islamic world. Mosque lamps were a key endowment for wealthy patrons, and the mihrabs — niches indicating the direction of prayer — were often decorated with calligraphy of these verses alongside a lamp motif.
In architecture, a building’s lighting has two functions: functional, aesthetic, or both. Lighting may be provided through the burning of fuel, or through the architectural use of natural light. Originally, light was provided by a simple flame, but soon fats and oils were used to provide fuel — with olive oil being commonly used in the Mediterranean and Greater Syrian regions. Oils and fats were eventually replaced with gas, which was then superseded by electrical lighting.
Furthermore, light may be directed or reflected within buildings, with the choices of materials impacting how light…
