Privacy, modesty, hospitality, and the design of Muslim homes: A literature review

Abstract

Traditional Islamic teachings and traditions involve guidelines that have direct applications in the domestic sphere. The principles of privacy, modesty, and hospitality are central to these guidelines; each principle has a significant effect on the design of Muslim homes, as well as on the organization of space and domestic behaviors within each home. This paper reviews literature on the privacy, modesty, and hospitality within Muslim homes. Nineteen publications from 1986 to 2013 were selected and analyzed for content related to the meaning of privacy, modesty, and hospitality in Islam and the design of Muslim homes. Despite the commonly shared guidelines for observing privacy, modesty, and hospitality within each home, Muslims living in different countries are influenced by cultural factors that operate within their country of residence. These factors help to shape the architectural styles and use of space within Muslim homes in different ways. Awareness of the multifactorial nature of the influences on the Muslim perception of home and the use of space is necessary for architects, building designers, engineers, and builders to be properly equipped to meet the needs of clients.

Nurse Perspectives of Maintaining Patient Dignity in Indonesian Clinical Care Settings: A Multicenter Qualitative Study

“…Patients in mixedgender wards often experience embarrassment and anxiety, not only due to lack of personal privacy but also due to cultural unacceptability (Smith & Field, 2011). Muslims who strictly follow the teachings of the Quran emphasize the importance of privacy between males and females (Othman, Aird, & Buys, 2015). Muslims who strictly follow the teachings of the Quran emphasize the importance of privacy between males and females (Othman, Aird, & Buys, 2015).…”

Ingénierie, climatologie et topographie de l'être-dans-le-monde – Des îles pour penser l'architecture ?

“…Dans les villes traditionnelles du monde arabo-musulman, où les maisons à patio sont dites introverties, on retrouve cette règle qui consiste à éviter d'agiter les démons de l'érototopie. Othman, Aird et Buys parleront de « modestie » qu'ils attribueront aux prescriptions sharaïques soulignant la nécessité d'assurer un certain équilibre dans le quartier en n'affichant pas sa richesse (Othman et al, 2015). Les signes extérieurs de richesse sont concentrés au niveau de la seule porte d'entrée et sont constitués de clous, heurtoirs et encadrements.…”

A living room in the city: the place of public space in the everyday lives of Middle Eastern women in Greater Brisbane

“…Even in the architectural design of Middle Eastern houses, internal private space is separated into three zones with different functions (Othman, Aird et al 2015): one zone that is more private and is used in everyday life activities (and is a space to welcome female guests); one zone that is close to the house entrance and designed for possible interactions with male guests who do not belong to immediate and extended family and are not "Mahram;" and one zone dedicated to services. The three zones are linked through a courtyard.…”