Islamic architecture actually lies in its hidden architecture.

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID,Judging from its history, there are many different opinions about the origins of Islamic architecture. Some say that the history of Islamic architecture began when Rasulullah SAW and his companions built the Quba Mosque, in Medina, at the beginning of the Hijriyah year or around 622 AD. The shape is a rectangular plan and a simple wall is the limit. In front, a mihrab was made for the Prophet to preach. While on the puntu the door is made. The materials used are varied, there are natural (mountain stones), trees and date palm leaves and their leaves. Although the architecture is very simple, this early mosque building became a prototype for later mosque architecture.

There are also those who say that the forerunner of Islamic architecture is the Mecca of Muslims around the world, namely the Kaaba. Rasulullah SAW and his friends built the Kaaba building in 630 AD, which is two years after the “Fathu Makkah” (conquest of the city of Makkah) by the Quraish infidels. Although still simple, it is considered the precursor of Islamic architecture.

From now on, Islamic architecture is also developing widely, both in secular buildings (buildings, houses, offices) and in religious buildings. Over time, Islamic architecture, which has colored almost all building constructions, is now more and more rich in treasures by combining Islamic architecture with others, such as Rome, Persia, China and other others. Thus, the concept of Islamic architecture -sometimes– is not even visible from the outside.

Ernst J Grube in his article titled What is Islamic Architecture revealed that the dominant form of Islamic architecture actually lies in its hidden architecture. That is, Islamic architecture can only be seen after entering it and seeing its form from within.

Martin added that Islamic architecture is very strong in understanding the harmony between humans and the environment and the Creator. Unfortunately, he said, in the 20th century, the Islamic concept was forgotten in the rapid industrial development. To save the durability of Islamic architecture, Martin suggested that Muslims must completely ignore Western architecture which does not use the spirit of Islam and destroys traditional culture. Moreover, Muslims must understand the essence of Islamic architecture and include modern building technology as a tool to express this essence.

Moreover, Islamic architecture had its golden age in the Ottoman, Abbasid and Seljuk periods (the Jami Mosque in Isfahan, Spain along with the Mosque in Cordoba and the Palace in Granada, India (Taj Mahal) and others.

According to Professor Jonathan Bloom and Sheila Blair of Boston College in their book The Art and Architecture of Islam, the idea of ​​traditional Islamic art and architecture that developed in the 7th century which includes architecture and the art from the Atlantic continent to the Indian Ocean influenced the West to develop Islamic art and architecture. And until the 19th and 20th centuries, Blair and Bloom explained, Islamic art and architecture were still influential for countries in Europe and America.