Dissertation_Dr Faisal Almubarak

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modem Saudi city. Clear understanding of traditional principles must carefully precede gradual
application of pertinent values. They must be tested in light of social desirability and political
visibility and their compatibility with the modern technology.
8 Prophet Mohammed's teachings were so comprehensive that they dealt with the construction of
buildings. For example, he stated, "God did not order us to cover stone or clay." Also, Prophet
Mohammed prohibited a person from sleeping on an unscreened roof or terrace. A commitment to
follow the Prophet's guidance would necessarily imply adding screens to houses roofs, an element
which affects facades' configuration. Translation in Hakim (1986), 150.
9 In the Holy Qur'an, Allah says, "Say to the believers that they should lower their gaze and guard their
modesty, that will make for greater purity for them, and God is well acquainted with all that they do."
(24:30). Also, Prophet Mohammed was quoted as saying, "He who looks into a house without die
occupants' permission, and they puncture his eye, will have not right to demand a fine or ask for
punishment." He also said, "On the Day of Resurrection lead will be poured in the ears of anyone who
eavesdrops on others who dislike him." Source: Hakim (1986), 151.
10 Prophet Mohammed's rulings on the condition of ownership is binding to most schools of
jurisprudence which serve as the basis of the Islamic legal system. He was quoted as saying,
"Somebody who gives life to a dead [undeveloped] land can claim it, and no tyrant has rights to it."
This Hadeeth (saying) was narrated by Abu Dawood via Bin Azzubair, source, Hakim (1986), 149.
According to Akbar (1988: 26-32), most of Islam's school of jurisprudence endorse the revival of dead
land outside urban area without state consent. However, one of the four schools qualifies this rule: the
appropriation of undeveloped land that lies within urbanized area requires permission of the state. The
state does not have the right to landownership unless parcels are given to it voluntarily by owners.
11
This construction period was to build a 3,000 square cubit house (1 meter = 2.4 cubits). Small houses'
area averaged 90 square meters (500 square cubits), and soil used to produce mud bricks were taken
from the foundations' soil. For a detailed description, see A. A1 Washmi. Arriyadh: Madinah wa
Sukkan, Kaifa Canat wa Kaifa Aa'shou, (Riyadh: National Guard Printing Press, no date of
publication): 22-49 (in Arabic).
12
Erik Monkkonen. America Becomes Urban: The Development of U.S. Cities & Towns, 1780-1980
(Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 1988), 90.
*3 According to Islamic teachings, water is a public good. Prophet Mohammed said, "Muslims are
partners in three things: water, pasture and fire." Narrated by the companion Abu Hurairah. Translated
in Hakim (1986), 148.
14
The explicit recognition of the individual responsibility toward his/her neighbors is said to have a great
impact on traditional Muslim built forms (Akbar, 1988). Prophet Mohammed warned against
indifference to neighbors, let alone harming them. Also, Islamic teachings strongly called for
cleanliness as an aspect of faith. Prophet Mohammed was quoted as saying, "Keep yourselves clean as
Islam is clean," and "God be praised is good and He loves goodness, [He is] clean and He loves
cleanliness, perfect and He loves perfection, so clean your 'fina.'" Fina refers to an open space such as
a courtyard or the immediate space outside a house. It was also narrated that the Prophet said, "Avoid
the three accursed: exerting in the streams, in thoroughfares and in the shade." This Hadeeth was
narrated by Abu Dawood via Ma'adh, who heard it from Mohammed.
Translated by the author with modification from Hakim (1986), 147.