Final answer:
In Islamic sacred art, words take precedence as they are central to Islamic belief and because avoiding idolatry is important, which means calligraphy is often favored over figural representations.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Islamic culture, when it comes to sacred art, words generally take precedence over images, animals, and plants. This is due to the emphasis on the Quran, which is considered the word of God and is central to Islamic belief. Islamic artistic tradition has therefore developed a rich vocabulary centered on calligraphy and the abstract decoration of manuscripts and architecture. While representations of the human form and animals are generally avoided in sacred contexts to prevent idolatry, both are more commonly found in secular Islamic art. Furthermore, vegetal motifs are often used in sacred art, providing ornamental value without depicting living figures.