ادب يا هو

"Adab" (etiquette) is one of the most important things we can learn because it should be present in every single action. In the Islamic tradition, etiquette is highly regarded and is considered the most foundational of knowledge.

Adab is about respecting and honoring others. In our human interactions it is about seeing the divine presence in all living things (people, animals, plants) and recognizing their inherent dignity due to the fact that they were created by God. But adab also extends to how we treat everything around us. We should not be careless with inanimate objects by discarding or acquiring them easily, or by throwing or mistreating them. Adab requires that we act graciously, mercifully, honorably and intentionally with all things.

I recently learned of a practice of scholars and sufis to wear a ring with the inscription "ادب يا هو" on it. It is a supplication which roughly means "God give us decency."

The sentiment is also found among the sayings attributed to the Prophet Muhammad (ص):

أدبني ربي فأحسن تأديبي
"The lord taught me manners and perfected my discipline"

Islamic geometry - stars and hexagons

This is a design I am teaching my Islamic Arts students. It is based on 3-fold geometry.

The hexagrams and 6-pointed starts tessellate, which means that they fit together each other perfectly. If you look closely you can see how inside every hexagon you can create a star, and in every star there is a hexagon!

Yellow Cow

I went to an Ahmad Mater exhibition in London last year and picked up some of the promotional materials displaying his Yellow Cow.

Spain is textured

after the trip to spain, i am dedicating this post to reflecting on all of the amazing art and architecture of andalusia. i admired that art in spain is not afraid of textures.

Alhambra Palace, Granada

The walls are completely colliding with each other, and with the road, but it is incredibly beautiful! I'm so happy that no one has found a need to "fix" this wall.

La Mezquita, Cordoba

In quintessential Andalucian style, the rocks in the Plaza Naranjos (Orange Courtyard) of the La Mezquita are arranged in a beautiful pattern. this shot attempts to convey the recurring theme of tessellation and patterns found in Cordoba and the variety of mediums.

in our search for tranquility, it seems that texture has been downplayed and considered an unnecessary interruption. but i like texture because it has depth. it carries some mysterious antique quality that makes one reflect.

- Lindsey

حديث

Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him said:

The complete believers in faith are those who highly qualified in moral principles, and the best of you are those who are the best to their wives

بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم

من آصبح معافاً في جسده، آمناً في سربه، عنده قوت يومه فقد حيزت له الدنيا بحذافيرها

Those who wake in the morning in good health, who are safe in their society, and who has daily sustenance... surely the world is theirs in its intricate entirety.

found it!

just like i said, things come to us when they are supposed to! after i finished creating the blog i found what i wanted to show you earlier. the pink i drew in class on tuesday. then by thursday/friday when i drew the black i had been thinking about muharram. i think that's the reason for the contrast.

مثل ما حكيت لج من قبل: كل شيئ تيجي لنا في وقتها! بعد خلقت البلوغ، وجدت الصورة اللي كنت بدي آظهرج. رسمت الوردي يوم الثلالة بس الاربعة او الخميس لما رسمت بالبني كنت عم بفكر عن محرم و كربلة (شيء مكتئب شوى) و بيبين!! ساح؟


i saw this picture a few months ago and thought that the movement was really beautiful and striking:
شفت هاي صورة قبل شهرين و فكرت الحركة فيها كانت رائغ و مدهش