Symbol of Divine Light

Symbol of Divine Light presents an overview of the history and significance of the lamp in Islamic culture and other traditions. In addition to describing the numerous variants from different historical periods, it also includes an exploration of the famous Koranic Verse of Light and the symbolism of its constituent elements. Containing more than 200 stunning color and b/w illustrations, this is the definitive study of the history and meaning of the mosque lamp.

Nicholas Stone is an architect, dedicated to using traditional forms and techniques. Early in his career he worked with the Egyptian architect, Abdel Wahed El-Wakil, on projects reviving traditional brickwork techniques—notably at Al-Qiblatain Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia. Thereafter he worked on domes for the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, involving Islamic craft work, and further dome projects in Malaysia. There, in partnership with his wife, Nazanin Sheikhi, he established a design company, undertaking the design of the atrium of the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya; the design and construction of the prayer niche (mihrab), pulpit (minbar), and honeycomb vaults (muqarnas) for Al-Bukhary Mosque in Alor Setar; tropical house and Islamic garden designs; as well as the design and fabrication of a perforated brass mosque lamp, which ultimately led to the publication of this book.

Introduction vii I. Symbolism of Light and the Lamp 1. The Verse of Light 3 Koranic Exegesis 5 2. Symbolism 7 Light 8 Light in the Islamic Doctrines of Creation 10 Muhammad as the Embodiment of Light 12 Light and the Mystery of the Veils 14 The Symbolism of Light in the Judeo-Christian Traditions 16 The Symbolism of Light in Other Religious Traditions 22 Niche 23 The Cave 23 The Mihrab 26 The Prayer Niche and the Virgin Mary 27 Etymology of the Word Mishkāh 29 Lamp 30 The Oil Lamp in Religions around the World 31 Glass 39 Oil 40 Olive Oil for Food 41 Olive Oil for Anointing 41 Olive Oil for Lamps 42 The Symbolism of Oil 44 Tree 45 3. Commentaries on the Verse of Light 49 Al-Ghazālī 50 Mullā Ṣadrā 52 Dārā Shikūh 52 Shaykh Maḥmūd Shabistarī 54 Ṣafī ‘Alī Shāh Ni‘matullāhī 55 Abū Bakr Sirāj Ed-Dīn 56 Frithjof Schuon 57 Other Interpretations 59 4. The Verse of Light in Islamic Art and Architecture 63 II. History of the Lamp 5. The Historical Context 71 References in the Early Islamic Traditions 74 6. Historical Development of the Mosque Lamp 77 Develo pment of the Glass Lamp 77 Early Glass Lamps 77 Mamluk Glass 78 Ottoman Glass 80 Rock C rystal Lamps 81 Develo pment of the M etalwork Lamp 83 Fragments of Earliest Islamic Lamps 83 Tenth-Century Lamp in David Collection 84 Great Lamp of al-Mu’izz 84 Lamp from Umayyad Mosque Damascus 85 Lamp from Konya 87 Lamp from Dome of the Rock 89 Mamluk Lamps 89 Post-Mamluk Islamic Metalwork 93 A Contemporary Design based on Traditional Examples 95 Larger, M ore C omplex T ypes of C hand elier 96 Lamp from Mosque of the Alhambra 96 Diverse Lamp Types 96 Regional Variations 100 Later Lamp Types 101 Opaque “Lamps” 103 Develo pment of the C eramic Lamp 103 Hanging ornaments 105 The Form of Iznik Mosque Lamps 107 7. How Would Early Mosque Lamps Have Looked? 109 8. The Mosque Lamp in the Contemporary Context 117 9. The Mosque Lamp Motif in Islamic Art and Architecture 121 10. Conclusions 149 Notes 151 List of Illustrations 167 Biographical Notes 173 Index 174