Dissertation_Dr Faisal Almubarak

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their natural instinct, they preferred simplicity and found "rational" forms distasteful, and
therefore, opposed them.
Unlike Western Utopias that emphasize the construction of a "model" living habitat
where free citizens enjoy a living environment that combines modern technology with a
natural setting, Islam introduced a Utopia of a unique character. In Islam, "utopia" (heaven)
does not exist on and should not be expected in this life, dunia. Rather, Islam draws a
vivid picture of an eternal life after death. 69 By suppressing due emphasis on dunia,
Islamic teaching has ranked dunia as secondary, if not a frivolous, value to the eternal life,
that is Akhira. Akhira is portrayed as the land of continuos peace and abundance,
evergreen, flowing rivers of pure water, wine and milk. Heaven is worry-free and everyouthful,
an experience which begins after one's death, all in return of the believers'
recognition of the oneness of God and its implications. This implies that due respect and
observance of ordained worships and social obligations as laid down in the Koran and
practiced by the Prophet in public or private life. Finally, economical factors may have had
their influence. Islam did not proscribe levying taxes beyond subjects' means. The rules
on what a ruler can collect from his subjects are well defined and numerous by sayings of
the Prophet which warn against burdening the believers beyond their capabilities or
unjustly. With limited financial resources available to the practicing Muslim rurler, less
attention and efforts will be given to embellishing the built environment.
The simplicity of Muslim faith, predicated on the oneness of God, with no specific
religious hierarchy serving as an intermediary between the servant and the Sovreign, that is
Allah. The workability of Islamic rituals and divine laws is simply laid down and is based
on rigorous documentation procedures (known as tautheeq). Such a detailed narrative of
the Prophet's conduct was made possible by his long tenure of twenty three years and this
has been reflected on the urban sphere. The Prophet discouraged emphasis on
materialism. 70 It was narrated how he shunned luxury and emphasized cleanliness. This
due emphasis on simplicity and parsimony explains why early Muslims vanguards did not
copy urban elements of the cities of classic Antiquity, such as the social space of the agora,
the recreational amphitheater, theaters and the stadium. Although, Muslims' concern over
cleanliness resulted in the maintenance of the thermae, even these public baths, hammamat,
were transformed into public spaces which were more modest and solely reserved for the
bathing and cleaning functions of one sex at a time.