Perfection in Creation: Process-based Dynamism and Empiricism in Islamic Art, Architecture and Urban Design

If any systematic change or conversion towards perfection in the form of a thing be named as “a sub-movement” of a complex of sub-movements known in the process-based system of a thing’s evolutional movement in its earthly existence, then, in accordance to the basic principle of a thing’s eternal intellectual essence and to the unchangeable, everlasting divine laws of the perfection-bound process of creation, these constant formal conversions (in whole) are led in the rightful, unified movement of elements in reaching the ultimate goal (which is the best and most complete form of each thing, in harmony with the divine knowledge-based attributes). These continual (systematic and process-based) conversions of form (even though in answer to the consecutive conversions of mutual needs of things in the world), give artists and architects of any time a golden opportunity to take a new step in the way of “the live, process-based, and developing path of a given thing, with the goal of reaching harmony with the absolute Perfection” (which is but “sairurah ila Allah”, or becoming toward Allah). This paper is aimed at highlighting this forgotten truth of the Qur’anic saying, and one of the most effective solutions that could gradually and slowly (but certainly) solve the problem of identity and Islamic affinity in architecture, is to re-explore “the natural/divine path of maturing,” realized by “the reflective, knowledge-based experience”. The main goal of this paper is to present a comprehensive discussion of this truly magnificent meaning. A reflective, knowledge- based experience is the key to the nourishment of compassion inside the living, intelligent womb connected to the knowledge-based forgiveness and mercifulness (inside the earth and the natural world) for the maturing of human mind and soul. In fact, the converting geometry of the physical form of a work of art (despite its fixed essential meaning and unchangeable intellectual organization), is an “opportunity” or “path” that the Compassionate Nourisher (Allah) has prepared for maturing, and step-by-step growth of human mind and soul. Therefore, losing the opportunity of life, work and knowledge-based experiences in this world equals to the departure of soul and wisdom from the merciful, nourishing womb, which in consequence, results in dissection from the ever-flowing, nurturing stream of knowledge and wisdom, and in conclusion, hinders one from traveling on the natural path of growth and maturity.