Document Type : Original Article
Author
Ph.D. in Cultural Management, Azad University, Tehran. Iran.
Abstract
Art objects and human artifacts have various uses over the millennia. In addition to their daily or decorative uses, human artifacts have also been used in other ways, such as a means of communicating with superhuman and celestial forces, or forces that intervene in human destiny, and for the purpose of gaining trust and seeking goodness, healing, and health from these forces; as well as warding off evil, calamity, and misfortune. These beliefs are rooted in the culture, myths, and rituals of various ethnic groups. In fact, the function of these objects and artifacts has been used as talismans and amulets. These works, most of which are also considered masterpieces of Islamic art, have spread throughout different cultures around the world. The world’s major museums house a collection of these works. One of these places is the Aga Khan Museum of Islamic Art in Toronto.
This museum is important in that it houses a variety of works of Islamic art that can present research topics with different approaches. One of the important topics that can be examined, analyzed, and reflected on in some of the works of this museum is objects that have been used as talismans and amulets and have been formed and made based on the religious beliefs of Muslims (and the religious roots of their predecessors). In fact, the function of these objects and hand-made artifacts has been used as talismans and amulets. The purpose of this research is to answer these questions: What is the diversity of works related to talismans and amulets stored in the Aga Khan Museum like and what concepts and uses did they have in terms of belief and artistic creativity? The use of these works has been functionally seeking goodness and healing, seeking divine help, and warding off calamity. In terms of form and aesthetics, because they have been associated with God, Imams, and religious beliefs, an attempt has been made to use the desired perfection and various artistic methods in their creation. The research method is descriptive-analytical and in some cases it has been adapted to similar works in other museums. The method of collecting information is library.
Given the research topic and application of selected objects kept in the Aga Khan Museum of Islamic Art that are related to talismans and amulets, it is necessary to be familiar with the concepts of talismans and amulets and the beliefs associated with them, because the purpose of making these objects is in the realm of individual and religious beliefs and beliefs. A talisman is any object that has the power to protect, as well as attract good and supportive forces and repel evil forces, calamities and afflictions. Granting this power to objects is based on the religious and cultural beliefs of each people and nation. All cultures have manifestations of these objects and artistic-applied works. In Islamic culture and civilization, these objects also have many uses, and in addition to preserving the beliefs of their predecessors, Islamic beliefs have also been added to them. These works are generally inscribed or engraved with Quranic inscriptions, sayings and hadiths of the infallible prophets and imams, religious narrations, and special and symbolic signs. Many Muslims believe that any man-made object bearing the word God (Allah) in any way, either alone or in combination with other words, protects and protects whoever reads, touches, or sees it. In fact, the word of God itself has the power to ward off evil and demons. These protective objects are often known and used as amulets, talismans, or charms. Their surfaces can be covered with prayers, symbols, numbers, and decorative designs, and they can be carried or placed in a special place. Some amulets are worn as healing garments or as battle gear.
The most effective amulets, charms and talismans are written with prayers that carry the Asma al-Husna or names of Allah and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the Ahl al-Bayt and the Infallibles (PBUH); the ninety-nine names of Allah, verses from the Quran, and the sayings of the Prophet (PBUH) have become texts that are taken as good omens. Talismans that contain inscriptions with the names of prophets and religious figures have the power to protect an individual or family. The use of a talisman is in fact a magical and enchantment act, and in the magical worldview, the need for a magical act increases when a misfortune or illness and disaster occurs, or in its positive view, a good purpose such as healing or good wishes is urgently needed in its application. Therefore, talismans and amulets can have three main uses, namely: warding off calamity and evil; attracting positive and good forces; fulfilling human needs and desires.
Talismans and amulets, whether in the form of primitive construction (with natural objects, such as special stones, plants or animals, etc.) or in the form of man-made objects and artifacts, have been created based on magic, sorcery, and the beliefs of different ethnic groups and cultures. In the Islamic era, religious beliefs and belief in the grace and divine vision of imams and religious leaders overcame magical beliefs and diminished them. In this regard, works were created in which various arts were used to enhance quality and beauty in order to attract the attention of believers and people who sought them and, on the other hand, to cause greater influence and influence of divine and extraterrestrial forces. Another important reason for the quality construction of these objects was their customers. Of course, it should also be noted that in terms of respect and value, as well as the effectiveness of prayers and the fulfillment of desires, it is certainly necessary to write Quranic verses, divine names, prayers, hadiths, and the words of prophets and imams on objects of high quality. This has led to the creation of excellent works of art and artistic masterpieces that are now kept in private collections and major museums in the world, including the Aga Khan Museum of Islamic Art. The function of the talismanic works of the Aga Khan Museum has been to seek goodness and healing, seek divine help, and ward off calamity. In terms of form and beauty, efforts have been made to use the desired perfection and various artistic methods such as pottery, metalwork, textiles, calligraphy, painting, gilding, etc. in their creation. The talismanic examples in the Aga Khan Museum have similar cases in other museums, which can help to better understand the construction and use of these works from a historical, cultural, and religious perspective. By examining and comparing these works with each other, it is observed that their use is based on a common thought and belief, which is to attract the forces of good and healing and repel the forces of evil, calamity, and misfortune, both individually and collectively.
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