The “Quranic Teaching” and the “Ideal Islamic City”

Despite many scholars in various domains including scientific, academic, professional and political fields talking about “Islamic city” and “Islamic ideal city” (Utopia), there is not a specific definition for “Islamic city” based on sacred Islamic texts. In other words, a variety of definitions and attributes of the “Islamic ideal city” are spread in texts based on different backgrounds and study domains of researchers. However, it seems that the appropriate definition for the “Islamic ideal city” as well as its essential and main attributes should be derived from the Islamic fundamental sacred texts, especially from the Holy Quran. Moreover, to explain and clarify the definition of any phenomenon, its main attributes should be recognized and classified. The fundamental attributes for the Islamic ideal city include “foundations”, “pillars”, “ideal model”, “characteristics” and “principles” which should be derived from the Holy Quran. Indeed, this article endeavors to discover and recognize these attributes for the Islamic city by benefiting the Quranic teaching, with which the Islamic ideal city can be defined. In other words, the basic hypothesis of the article is: “attributes and definition of Islamic City (Islamic Utopia) can be derived from the Holy Quran.” Obviously, considering the comprehensiveness, everlasting and universality of Islam (and its Holy book: Quran) the definition and attributes of the Islamic city are fundamental and essential for all times and all places but their manifestations in different places and eras are subjected to cultural issues, environmental conditions, economic situations, available technology and other conditions of the specific era and place. The article responds to the following questions: 1. What is the research method for recognizing the main attributes of the Islamic city from the Holy Quran? 2. What is the definition of Islamic City? 3. What are its main attributes according to Quranic teachings? According to the background of different parts of the study and its issues, a variety of research methods such as discovery, commentary, deduction and analysis will be used. Journal of Reasearch in Islamic Architecture / No.8 / autumn 2015 *dr_mnaghizadeh@yahoo.com 65 Received: 07/01/2015 Accepted: 08/09/ 2015 “Surely this Quran guides to that which is most upright...” (The Holy Quran, 17: 9)