The Meaning of the Miḥrāb: From the Perspective of Perennial Philosophy

Abstract

This paper presents research findings on the meaning of the miḥrāb from the metaphysical, cosmological, anthropological and psychological perspectives of the Muslim intellectual heritage. The aim is to broaden the scholarly approach to the miḥrāb as a key symbol of the Muslim heritage and thereby to facilitate a more holistic understanding of its meaning in the history of the world’s art and architecture. This paper applies the findings of new research, the articulation of key questions concerning the miḥrāb in history, architecture and art, and philological and theological considerations of its place in Muslim heritage. These conclusions are then examined in light of the perennial philosophy typical of modern studies of traditional intellectuality, both specifically Muslim and in general. The structure of the study is hierarchical, from general anthropotheological premises to specific kinds of symbolic forms. Miḥrābs from the Bosnian tradition are considered as the initial pragmatic material and the final illustrative material for the conclusions drawn.

Keywords

• Perennial philosophy
• Muslim tradition
• sacred art
• mosque
• miḥrāb
• Perennial philosophy, Muslim tradition, sacred art, mosque, miḥrāb

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