The Art Of Arabic Calligraphy: Where It All Began
بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
“If I had known there was such a thing as Islamic calligraphy, I would never have started to paint. I have strived to reach the highest levels of artistic mastery, but I found that Islamic calligraphy was there ages before me.”
Pablo Picasso
Arabic calligraphy stands testament to the rich cultural heritage and artistic ingenuity of the Islamic world.
From its humble beginnings as a tool for transcribing the Qur’aan to becoming a celebrated art form admired worldwide, the history of Arabic calligraphy is a journey through time, culture, and spirituality.
It began with the Kufic script which was used to record the noble Qur’aan. Originating in the city of Kufa, Iraq, during the 7th century, this distinctive script quickly became known for its angular and geometrical forms. The early Kufic script was categorized by its straight lines, sharp angles, and lack of diacritical marks, giving it a bold appearance.
As Islam spread across the Arabian Peninsula and beyond, so too did the influence of the Kufic script. It became the dominant style of Arabic calligraphy.
Over time, regional variations emerged, each adding its unique flair to the Kufic tradition. In North Africa for example, the Maghrebi script featured thicker lines and more decorative elements, while in Persia, the script took on a more refined and elongated form.
Despite these variations, the core principles of the Kufic script remained intact, making it the mother of Islamic calligraphy.
Years later, born in Baghdad around 885 CE, Abu Ali Muhammad Ibn Muqla, a towering figure in the history of Arabic calligraphy, left an unforgettable mark on the art form during the Abbasid era.
One of Ibn Muqla’s most enduring contributions was the standardization of the Arabic script. Recognizing the need for consistency and clarity in writing, he developed precise rules governing the proportions and strokes of the six primary scripts,
Naskh
Thuluth
Muhaqqaq
Rayhani
Tawqi
Riq’a
These standardized scripts not only made it easier to read, but it also added to the aesthetic beauty of the writing.
Ibn Muqla’s careful attention to detail and emphasis on uniformity laid the foundation for the flourishing of Arabic calligraphy in following centuries, providing a framework for calligraphers while maintaining a sense of continuity.
Ibn Muqla’s legacy continues to resonate in the world of Arabic calligraphy today.
His standardized scripts remain foundational to the art form, serving as a timeless guide for calligraphers seeking to master their skill.
Ibn Muqla had many students who passed his knowledge over to others. This is where we find Abu Al Fadhl Ibn Muhammad Ibn Al Bawwab, a celebrated figure in the realm of Arabic calligraphy during the Abbasid period. His interest in Arabic calligraphy was inspired by Muhammad Ibn Asad and was developed under Muhammad In Samsamaani, both of whom were students of Ibn Muqla.
Born in Iraq around the 10th century, he was renowned for his mastery of the Naskh script and his innovative contribution to the art form.
Ibn Al Bawwab’s most significant contribution lies in his refinement and advancement of the Naskh script, which became one of the most widely used styles of Arabic calligraphy.
He introduced new techniques and embellishments such as elongated strokes which added a sense of grace and beauty to the script. His commitment to excellence earned him a reputation as one of the greatest calligraphers of his time.
Ibn Al Bawwab’s influence extended beyond his artistic acheivements. He established a renowned calligraphic workshop in Baghdad, where he trained numerous students in the Naskh script.
He produced 64 copies of the Qur’aan by hand, the original one being in the Dublin museum.
Today, Ibn Al Bawwab is remembered as a master calligrapher whose contributions continue to enrich and inspire the world of Arabic calligraphy.
Now, as we end off todays post, let us not only admire the aesthetic beauty of this art, but also appreciate the years of work and commitment that led up to what we now call Arabic calligraphy.
Through the strokes of the pen, Arabic calligraphy continues to captivate hearts and leave a lasting memory to anyone to lays eyes on it.
As Mehmed Ozcay has named his book about Arabic calligraphy,
Spoken by the hand, Heard by the eye.
