Martin Lings, also known as Abu Bakr Siraj ud-Din, was an English writer and scholar who also penned a biography of the Holy Prophet sa. ![]() 10 Indeed, in his Stanford commencement address in June 2005, Jobs said: “If I had never dropped in on that single calligraphy course in college, the Mac would have never had multiple typefaces or proportionally spaced fonts.” 11 These experiences, Jobs said later, shaped his creative vision. In his biography it was mentioned that calligraphy workshops influenced Apple’s graceful, minimalist aesthetic. ![]() Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple, started his creative career inspired by geometry and the art of calligraphy. I have strived to reach the highest levels of artistic mastery, but I found that Islamic calligraphy was there ages before I was.” 9 Pablo Picasso was so inspired by Islamic calligraphy that he said: “If I had known there was such a thing as Islamic calligraphy, I would never have started to paint. Islamic calligraphy was not only acclaimed by the Muslim world, it was also considered a great artistic mode of visual expression. The intricacies of calligraphy can take years to master. The great Egyptian writer, Taha Hussein, once said: “Others read in order to study, while we have to study in order to read.” 8 His complaint was more than justified. It is mentioned in Kanzul-Ummaal, ( Treasure of the Doers of Good Deeds) as narrated by Saeed ibn-e-Sakina, that Hazrat Ali ra saw a person writing Bismillah and then said, “you have to write it in a beautiful manner, because if you do this, then Allah will bless and forgive you.” 7 However, the dots always allow for a quick assessment as to whether or not the proportions are correct. After years of practice, calligraphy becomes second nature to a master calligrapher. 6Ĭalligraphy holds, perhaps, pride of place as the foremost and most characteristic of the modes of visual expression in Islam. The tools used in calligraphy: the paper on which it was written, the writing implements, the gold leaf used in illumination-all required a diverse set of skills. Indeed, the quality of the calligraphy was believed to hold clues as to the character of the calligrapher. In some Muslim areas, calligraphy was actually considered to leave clues as to the calligrapher’s moral fibre. But that written trace does not merely record an action. The act of calligraphy is intriguing in that it leaves a tangible trace of a physical act. It is narrated by Hazrat Amir Muawiya ra that the Holy Prophet Muhammad sa said, regarding the correct style of Qur’anic writing: “O Muawiya, keep the correct consistency of your ink under the inkpot, make a slanting cut to your pen, write the ‘Ba’ of Bismillah prominently, also sharply write the corners of the letter ‘Seen’, do not make an incorrect eye of the letter ‘Meem’, write the word Allah with great elegance, elongate the shape of the letter ‘Noon’ of the word Rahmaan, and write Raheem beautifully, and keep the pen at the back of your right ear so you will remember that.” 5 3 The Islamic scholar Hafiz Fazle-Rabbi has elaborated that this word, when used in the context of writing, can refer to calligraphy, as a means of beautifying the writing. Therefore, the Arabic word tartil is translated as a reflective, measured and rhythmic recitation. In this verse, the phrase “in the best form,” indicates the putting together of parts to form a strong, integral, consistent whole. The Holy Qur’an mentions, with regard to the revelation of the Holy Qur’an “And we have arranged it in the best form.” 2 In the modern sense, calligraphy relates to “the art of giving form to signs in an expressive, harmonious and skilful manner.” 1 Islamic calligraphy is one of the most sophisticated in the world and is a visual expression of the deepest reverence to the spiritual world. ![]() The word calligraphy comes from the Greek words kallos, meaning beauty, and graphein, meaning writing. ![]() 2nd part is available here now © User mrfiza | Ĭalligraphy is a fundamental element and one of the most highly regarded forms of Islamic Art. The Review of Religions is pleased to present the first part in a two-part article on the fascinating art and history behind Islamic calligraphy.
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