- Dr. Zaenab Imaduddin
- An-al-Kaukab - I Am A Star, 2024
- Watercolour on Arches 100% cotton watercolour archival paper 600 gsm
- 30 x 40 in
- Inv: NN1.1
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The title of my collection is “An-al-Kaukab”-“I am a Star”, inspired by a verse from a poem written by Imam Husain (AS), that reveals his divine descent.
والدي شمس وامي قمر
وانا الكوكب وابن القمرين
Translation: “My Father is the Sun while my Mother is the Moon. Then I am a ‘Kaukab’ (‘Star’) and the son of the two Qamar (two Moons- the Sun and the Moon).”
This verse by the Grandson of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.AW.) draws light to his Exalted Lineage. He refers to himself as a Star, a source of Light.
The work draws inspiration from several sources across the Fatimid Visual Artefacts. The Primary inspiration comes from a window design from the 13th century Fatimid Jami’ masjid named Al Aqmar in Cairo, featuring a star and a lamp, with the names of Mohammed and Ali flanked on either side. This is known as the ‘shubbak al mishkat’ or ‘the window of the lamp’.
This window is said to be symbolic of the Ayah of Noor and the lamp is symbolic of the Noor of Allah itself, as stated in the Quranic Ayah:
اللَّه نور السماوات والارض
Translation: Allah is the Light of the Heavens and the Earth.
Similarly, the six pointed star in the center of this window, is said to be symbolic of Husain Imam AS who is the brilliant star as stated in the Quranic Ayah of Noor :
كانها كوكب دري
Translation: …as though it were a Brilliant Star.
Each element — from the tessellating hexagons to the vegetal scrollwork — is rooted in my faith in the timeless wisdom of ancient Fatimid philosophy, weaving together symbolism, intellectual heritage, and spirituality to create artworks that transcend time. It is my way of evoking the Divine Light and celebrating our shared human experience.