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Paradise On Earth

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With the emergence of Islam was born some of the brightest and most innovative minds. Throughout the centuries, Muslim contributions to countless disciplines would go on to greatly impact and influence much of the world. One such discipline -- landscape architecture -- is among the fields Muslims flourished in. Islamic gardens display some of the most beautiful landscape architecture in the world. Islamic garden designs originated in Arabia, and spread to regions like Persia, Spain, and India. The gardens created by the Arabs and those they conquered were far more advanced than that of the Europeans. Although Islamic garden architecture occurred about the same time as the revival of garden making in Europe, the Arabs added a style of their own that would later influence the gardening styles of the Europeans.

The inspiration for Islamic garden designs lies in the Muslim belief and vision of Heaven, or Paradise. In several verses in the Qur’an Muslims are given a glimpse of the rewards to come for the faithful in the Hereafter. In the Qur'an it says that believers will be rewarded with the splendors and bountiful beauty of paradise which is described as gardens in heaven. Believers are promised gardens of heaven that have gushing fountains and flowing springs, fruit trees, and couches to recline in under the cool shade of trees.

"(For those who believe and do good), God has prepared Gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein forever: that is the Supreme Felicity." (9:100)

"For the righteous are Gardens in nearness to their Lord, therein is their Eternal Home." (3:15)

“And give glad tidings to those who believe and do righteous good deeds, that for them will be Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise).” (2:25)

“For those who fear their Lord, are Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise); therein are they to dwell (forever), an entertainment from Allâh; and that which is with Allâh is the Best for AlAbrâr (those who are obedient to Allâh and follow strictly His Orders).” (3:198)

Islamic gardens in Persia, Spain, and India were typically designed as a sort of escape or peaceful seclusion from the outside world. Waterworks and fountains were a common inclusion in Islamic gardens for their free flowing beauty and soothing sound. Artificial decorative elements were used in Islamic gardens as well, including the making of carpet-like parterres, and artificial trees and flowers made of precious metals and gemstones. Islamic gardens never contained statues or carved stone fountains with figures. Islam does not allow the use of these images.

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