On page 76-79 in Ernst, we learn that Muslims generally consider it inappropriate to depict Muhammad in picture form. Instead, some Muslims would hang artful papers with calligraphy describing the physical appearance of Muhammad from the way his face shines to his eloquent speech (page 77).
The descriptions I read in the book reminded me of a video I saw on YouTube where a Muslim teacher describes what it would be like to meet Muhammad. I discussed this video with my group, and how it is a different picture of devotion from what I would normally expect. If you are interested, it is embedded below. In your opinion, do you think words or pictures are more powerful when it comes to aiding religious devotion? And do you think the answer could vary depending on the person, religion, and/or culture? Lastly, what role, if any, do you think that Arabic plays into the conception of Islam’s religious artifacts?
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1 thought on “A Picture of Muhammad”
ademaio
Words and pictures both have their place, but neither is generally better than the other. Words and descriptions are limiting in that words are not visual, and with visuals issues that are run into are things like depictions of Jesus being white when that was not actually the case. Both of these depictions are helpful but definitely have limitations.