Final answer:
Islamic law and tradition avoid the depiction of the Prophet Muhammad in mosques to prevent idolatry. Instead, mosques feature aniconic art such as calligraphy and geometric patterns, reflecting Islamic values. While religious art is non-figurative, secular Islamic art has included human and animal imagery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The absence of representations of the prophet Muhammad in mosques primarily stems from the concern within the Islamic tradition of avoiding idolatry, as emphasized by the Islamic law stemming from interpretations of the Quran and hadiths. This religious ethos is observed to prevent the worship of images other than God and is particularly upheld in places of worship, such as mosques. While the Koran itself does not explicitly forbid images of the Prophet, this has become a widely accepted practice in Islamic culture, particularly in religious contexts. The decoration in mosques thus focuses on non-figurative art such as calligraphy and geometric patterns, translating the spiritual and cultural values of Islam into visual forms without depicting human figures.
Historically, the Islamic religious art that adorns mosques has been deeply rooted in the aniconic tradition, especially in portraying grand figures, ensuring that no object of worship could potentially overshadow the singularity of divine worship. Mosques are often decorated with complex patterns, calligraphy of Quranic verses, and architectural features that guide worship without employing figurative art. However, it's worth noting that in secular art from various periods of Islamic history, human and animal figures are present, reflecting the nuanced and contextual nature of Islamic art traditions.