Reading the Concept of Islamic Architecture in the Contemporary Era from the Perspective of Historians and Orientalists

Islamic architecture has long been recognized as one of the most important part of architecture in the history of world architecture, and despite the statement expressed by many scholars and historians in this field; the question that is always concerned is that, what is Islamic architecture? What are the different interpretations raised regarding this architecture? What was the status of the Orientalistschr('39') view on Islamic architecture, and what was the difference in their interpretations? The history of art and Islamic architecture in the world dates back to about half a century, and the origin of "Islamic architecture" can be attributed to the beginning of the Orientalism movement in the West. Orientalists and Western theorists in defining Islamic architecture have expressed many different interpretations. The study of different perspectives in this field shows that not all interpreters and theorists are in the same position and have a different perception associated to the works of Islamic architecture. Considering the two historical (historiographer) and the legal (epistemological) views of this architecture shows the difference in their approach on this issue. In each of these approaches, the order of form and meaning are examined. The historical approach, in terms of form and framework, interprets the Islamic works and what was important for them to be considered has been the change in the form of architecture. However, legal approach, considers art and Islamic architecture as one of the manifestations of Islamic thought that has richness within itself, so that this architecture, as a language that tells the truth, has emerged from the level of meaning to the level of emergence. Using interpretive-historical methods as well as library and documentary information, this article seeks to review the Islamic architecture from the perspective of historians and Orientalists and provide a clear interpretation of Islamic architecture for today’s audience.