Islamic cultural heritage: Art, science, and solidarity
Explore calligraphy, illumination, endowments, libraries, and other cultural heritage topics along with their historical contexts and references.
Waqf: Lasting benefit
Waqf is the understanding of dedicating the benefit of a property to a specific charitable purpose. It has contributed to the continuation of institutions in areas such as…
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · VakıfCalligraphy: The art of letters
Calligraphy (Hat) is the art of beautiful writing that processes Arabic letters with measurement and composition. It is seen in various fields from mushafs to architectural…
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · HatIllumination: Ornamenting the page
Tezhip is the art of ornamentation done with gold and colors. Examples are found at the beginning of manuscripts, at the start of chapters (surahs), and on calligraphy plates.…
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · TezhipEbru: From water to paper
Ebru is made by transferring colored patterns created on the surface of thickened water to paper. It is also associated with book and binding arts. The movement of the material…
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · EbruBookbinding: Protection and craft
Bookbinding produces covers that hold and protect the leaves of a book. In Islamic book arts, covers are also areas for decoration. Function and aesthetics appear together on the…
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · CiltçilikMiniature: Stories in images
Miniature is the tradition of small-sized painting found especially in manuscripts and albums. Subjects such as history, ceremonies, and daily life can be transformed into visual…
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · MinyatürTiles: Colour in architecture
Tiles add color to architecture with glazed and decorated surfaces. Geometric, floral, and calligraphic arrangements are seen in various structures. Techniques and styles vary…
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · ÇiniMadrasah: A place of learning
Madrasas are structures in Islamic history where education and training became institutionalized. Their curricula varied according to periods and regions. Some were part of a…
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · MedreseDar al-shifa: A history of care
Darushshifa and bimaristan are names used for historical Islamic hospitals. In some examples, treatment and medical education were conducted in the same environment. These…
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · BîmâristanKulliye: Shared urban needs
A külliye is a complex where structures with different functions are planned together. The mosque can be accompanied by buildings providing education, food, or health services.…
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · KülliyeImaret: An institution of food
The name 'imaret' has carried broad meanings throughout history, and it has specifically been used for charitable institutions where food was served. Students, the needy, and…
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · İmaretLibraries: Sharing knowledge
Libraries in the Islamic world have developed in mosques, madrasas, palaces, or independent buildings in different periods. Book endowments have contributed to the formation of…
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · KütüphaneSebil: Architecture sharing water
Sebils are structures built to distribute water, especially at busy urban locations. A charitable service gains an architectural form. They become a part of daily urban life…
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · SebilCaravanserai: A stop on the journey
Caravanserais served the accommodation and security needs of caravans on trade routes. Different areas could be found for passengers, animals, and cargo. These structures are…
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · KervansarayAhilik: Craft and solidarity
Ahilik is a tradition of organization that developed in Anatolia with religious and social dimensions. It associated professional life with morality among artisan and craftsman…
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · AhîlikHisba: Public oversight in history
Hisba refers to duties related to the protection of public order and general morality in historical Islamic societies. The inspection of marketplaces is also among its areas of…
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · HisbeBayt al-Hikma: Knowledge across languages
Bayt al-Hikmah is an important name for translation and scientific studies, particularly associated with Baghdad during the Abbasid period. It is linked to the transfer of works…
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · BeytülhikmeSamarkand Observatory: Measuring the sky
The observatory founded by Ulugh Beg in Samarkand is known for its celestial observations and measurement instruments. This environment, where multiple scholars worked,…
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · Semerkant RasathânesiIjazah: Recognition of learning
Ijazah is a concept related to competence in education and teaching or the permission to transmit. It can document the learning bond between a teacher and a student. Since it is…
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · İcâzetRihla: Travelling to learn
Rihla describes journeys undertaken specifically to learn hadith and to obtain information about narrators. Meeting with scholars and listening to narrations are among the…
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · RihleMushaf: Scripture in book form
Mushaf refers to the form of the Quranic text collected into a book. Calligraphy, page layout, illumination, and binding have produced different examples over time. The history of…
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · MushafMihrab: Marking direction
The mihrab is an architectural element that denotes the direction of the qibla in mosques and masjids. Its form and material change according to the period. Stone, tile, or other…
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · MihrapMinbar: A place for the sermon
The minbar is the elevated section used in mosques to deliver the khutbah. There are examples made from different materials such as wood and stone. Beyond its function, it can…
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · MinberMahya: Writing in Ramadan nights
Mahya is an illuminated writing or depiction arrangement set up between two minarets, especially during Ramadan. Over time, traditional oil lamps have been replaced by different…
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · Mahya