... huge concept, I think it is important to clarify what this concept of 'Islamic Art' is. "The term Islamic generally refers to purely religious expressions, such as calligraphy."2 Is it art created by Muslims? Or alternatively, is it art created by people residing in countries where the dominant religion is Islam? Or should it be confined to the literal meaning of the word 'Islamic'? The word 'Islamic' means, 'of Islam'. It is an expression used to describe the object in question, as being something which complies with the beliefs and values of the religion, Islam. I will be using the latter description, to describe the term 'Islamic Art'. As a result, all figural works of art will not be included in this study. The reason for this being evident in the following saying of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in which he "condemned artists who try to 'ape' the creation of God: ...

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