Quran, Culture And Civilization

Quran, Culture And Civilization

An Analysis of the Concepts of Architecture and Construction in the Holy Qurʾan with a Divine Civilization-Building Approach

Authors
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, Buin Zahra Technical and Engineering Higher Education Center, Qazvin, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Buin Zahra Technical and Engineering Higher Education Center, Qazvin, Iran
Abstract
Architecture and construction, as manifestations of human civilization, have long occupied a significant place in human societies. The Holy Qurʾan, as the final divine revelation, contains numerous references to concepts related to construction, development, and the building of human settlements, reflecting the importance of these themes within Islamic culture and civilization. Each of these references establishes a fundamental principle for construction based on Islamic and divine values throughout the processes of architectural design and implementation. By emphasizing the cultivation and development of the earth as one of humanity’s divinely ordained responsibilities, the Qurʾan presents human beings as God’s vicegerents entrusted with the mission of developing and reforming the earth. It also refers to historical structures—such as the palaces of the people of ʿĀd, Pharaoh’s tower, and the barrier of Dhū al-Qarnayn—to illustrate the role of architectural works in the history of civilizations while emphasizing the importance of drawing lessons from the fate of earlier nations. Furthermore, the Qurʾan introduces principles such as sincerity of intention for God, avoidance of extravagance, observance of justice, and preservation of environmental balance as essential criteria governing construction activities. This study employs a thematic-conceptual analysis of Qurʾanic verses. It first identifies the fundamental concepts by extracting key terms related to architecture, construction, and development from the Qurʾanic text. It then examines selected verses through exegetical analysis and compares them with the historical examples mentioned in the Qurʾan in order to establish a relationship between divine teachings and the principles of Islamic architecture. Drawing upon authoritative Qurʾanic commentaries and studies on civilization, the article further analyzes the theoretical foundations of construction in the Qurʾan and explores their applications in sustainable architectural design and Islamic urban development.

Graphical Abstract

An Analysis of the Concepts of Architecture and Construction in the Holy Qurʾan with a Divine Civilization-Building Approach
Keywords
Subjects

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Volume 7, Issue 2 - Serial Number 24
Summer 2026
Pages 119-137

  • Receive Date 30 July 2025
  • Revise Date 04 October 2025
  • Accept Date 19 October 2025
  • Publish Date 22 June 2026