An Arabic calligraphy is an art form that involves the beautiful and intricate design of Arabic script. Arabic calligraphy has a long history dating back to the 7th century when the Arabic language was first written down.
Arabic calligraphy is known for its flowing, curving lines and intricate detail. It is often used in Islamic art and is a critical element in the design of mosques, Quranic manuscripts, and other Islamic art forms.
Several Arabic calligraphy styles include Kufic, Naskh, Thuluth, and Diwani. Each style has its unique features and is used for different purposes.
In addition to being a beautiful art form, Arabic calligraphy is also an important cultural and religious symbol. The Quran, the holy book of Islam, is written in Arabic and is considered by Muslims to be the word of God. As such, calligraphy elevates the importance and beauty of the written word in Islam.
The earliest known examples of Arabic calligraphy date back to the 7th and 8th centuries, and it has since evolved into a highly refined art form still practiced today. Arabic calligraphy is characterized by its intricate and decorative nature and is widely regarded as one of the world's most beautiful forms of writing.
As for the best Arabic calligrapher in the world, it is difficult to single out one individual, as many talented calligraphers are practicing the art today. However, some calligraphers are widely recognized for their exceptional skill and contribution to the field. These include Hassan Massoudy, Mohamed Zakariya, and Wissam Shawkat. These calligraphers have made significant contributions to Arabic calligraphy, and their works are highly sought by collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.
Arabic calligraphy is the artistic practice of handwriting and calligraphy based on the Arabic alphabet. It is known as khat (Arabic: خط), derived from the word 'line,' 'design,' or 'construction.'Kufic is the oldest form of the Arabic script.
From an artistic point of view, Arabic calligraphy has been known and appreciated for its diversity and great potential for development. Moreover, it has been linked in the Arabic culture to various fields such as religion, art, architecture, education, and craftsmanship, which have played an essential role in its advancement.
Although most Islamic calligraphy is in Arabic and most Arabic calligraphy is Islamic, the two are not identical. For example, Coptic or other Christian manuscripts in Arabic have used calligraphy. Likewise, there is Islamic calligraphy in Persian or the historic Ottoman language.
Arabic alphabet:
The Arabic alphabet is known to be used by one of the world's most widely used language scripts. Many scholars believe that the alphabet was created around the 4th century CE. The alphabet consists of 28 letters written from right to left. Each note can be written in four ways, depending on where the letter is placed in a sentence. These four locations are known as initial, medial, final, and isolated.
The Pen
The pens used for Arabic calligraphy vary from Latin calligraphy. The tools used for calligraphy are different assortments of pens and calligraphy ink. The most common calligraphy pen used is Qalam.
Khamish pen
The Khamish pen, also known as a reed pen, is used by Arab, Turkish, and Iranian calligraphers. The reed of the pen is grown along rivers. Although this pen has been used for over 500 years, preparing the pen is a lengthy process.
Bamboo pen
Bamboo pens are one of the oldest pens used for calligraphy. The edge of bamboo pens allows the performance of calligraphy to be in the entire movement.
Java pen
The Java pen is known for the tool's hardness and ability to create sharp edges. The pen is good to use for small scripts.
Handam pen
The Handam pen consists of the same strength that the Java pen has. The pen is good to use for all kinds of scripts.
Celi pen
The Celi pen is used for large writing in Arabic calligraphy. These pens are made from hardwood and cut and drilled.
Scripts
Popular Scripts
The two most popular scripts used for Arabic calligraphy are Kufic and Naskh. Kūfic was derived from Iraq and initially used to inscribe stone and metal. Naskhī originated from Mecca and Medina. For example, the script is used as a cursive script on papyrus and paper.
Other Scripts
The Thuluth, Nasta'liq, and Diwani scripts are other scripts used for Arabic scripting.
The Thuluth script used during medieval times is one of the oldest. The script was used in mosques and for Quranic texts due to the appearance of the text.
The Nasta'liq script is used more for Persian than Arabic scripting. Because of the upward slant to the left, the script is seen as different from the other scripts. The cursive look creates an elegant look when creating.
The Diwani Script was created during the Ottoman era. The lining and lettering of this script create a sense of closeness when writing. Due to this reason, it's difficult to read since the letters intertwine.
List of Calligraphers
Some classical calligraphers:
Medieval
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Ibn Muqla (d. 939/940)
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Ibn al-Bawwab (d. 1022)
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Fakhr-un-Nisa (12th century)
Ottoman era
Further information: List of Ottoman calligraphers
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Shaykh Hamdullah (1436–1520)
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Hamid Aytaç (1891-1982)
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Seyyid Kasim Gubari (d. 1624)
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Hâfiz Osman (1642–1698)
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Mustafa Râkim (1757–1826)
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Mehmed Shevki Efendi (1829–1887)
Contemporary
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Hasan Çelebi (b. 1937), Turkey
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Ali Adjalli (b. 1939), Iran
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Wijdan Ali (b. 1939), Jordan
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Everitte Barbee (b. 1988), United States of America
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Mohammad Hosni Syria
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Shakkir Hassan Al Sa'id (1925-2004) in Iraq
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Madiha Omar Iraqi-American
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Hassan Massoudy Iraqi-French (b. 1944)
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Sadequain Naqqash (1930-1987), Pakistan
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Ibrahim el-Salahi (b. 1930), Sudan
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Mouneer Al-Shaarani (b. 1952), Syria
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Mahmoud Taha (b. 1942), Jordan
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Mohamed Zakariya (b. 1942), United States of America
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Uthman Taha (b. 1934), Syria
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Shafiq-Uz-Zaman Khan Pakistan