Dissertation_Dr Faisal Almubarak

eing universal ones that can affect other built forms. However, she singles out two as
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being Islamically-related. These two factors, place and time, play major roles in shaping,
but do not determine those connected with the legal and political system and the system of
social organization, both of which she points out could vary considerably in Islamic cities.
Since its inception, Islam has made distinctions between those who are adherents to
the faith and the non believers. This has been translated into spatial segregation which has
since created distinction between juridical classes through social distance. For example,
Christians and Jews, under Islamic law are considered dhimmis, the people of the Book.
Though not asked by Muslim legislation to live in separate quarters, such distinction, has
led to physical segregation by time. Abu- Lughod argues, although Islam has assured their
sanctity and defined their rights, this distinction indicated to outsiders that they were
supposed to live there and to insiders that they belonged within. Such religious segregation
has become more profound during colonial rule and the incursion of commercial Europe
which, for example, instigated the institution of Jewish ghettos.
But to say that Islamic Shariy'ah was the only factor in shaping the building process
and spatial organization is not similar to saying that it was the major factor influencing the
cities under Islamic governance. This is to portray Islam with anthropomorphic qualities,
like a surveyor or an architect who compels clients to build their homes the way his
drawing dictates. We should look more closely to the different temporal and geographical
factors, as well as to the role of minorities within the Muslim Cities and to the outside
influences. Technology was an influential factor; its availability, or lack thereof; the lack
of which has been a detriment to many cities in different cultures at different times.
In short, Islam influence on towns and cities was significant. The above discussion
illustrates the unique role of Islamic law in shaping individual dwellings, circulation space
and the prohibition of the juxtaposition of incompatible uses. We saw how the very
principle of promoting good and preventing harm was central to jurists, judges and other
civil personalities whose duties included bringing order and promotion of justice in the city.
Islam introduced numerous religious rituals and encouraged many moral attributes that
ultimately reflected in the production of an Islamic city, with institutions such as mosques,
waqf, madaris (schools), and the bazaar economy. As E. Wirth points
It would still be thinkable that Islam as a religion indeed has not essentially
formed the oriental city, that the legal and social order united with it