Islamic Calligraphy -The Art of Beautiful writing

Islamic Calligraphy –

The Art of Beautiful
Writing…

Islamic Art is known throughout the world for its beautiful arabesque, nonfigurative
geometric design and pattern and its exquisite flowing calligraphy the word of
God [Allaah Almighty]. Calligraphy has certainly become the most honored form
of Islamic art because it provides a bond between the languages of billions of
Muslims around the world with the religion of Islam.

Different styles of
calligraphy have been used for centuries and are still being used today.
Writing is a powerful tool, the very essence of human history. Writing bridged
the gap between the ephemeral and the eternal. In eastern cultures letters were
shrouded with mysticism. Take the Egyptians and their hieroglyphs, the
Sumerians and their script embedded in clay, the Chinese and their brushstrokes
and the Arabic development of point to line, of light to movement. All believed
the words were gateways to something greater.
With Arabic calligraphy the three elements of point, line and circle, the
geometric structural principles that govern their inter-relationships unified
all Arabic art.

 Calligraphy or in
Arabic “Khattati” is not just elaborate fancy, lettering rather it is the most
highly regarded noble and most fundamental element of Islamic Art, it is an
expression of Spirituality and Holiness. Our Holy Prophet, Muhammad, [Peace Be Upon Him] considered knowledge as a prey, which should be stringed by
writing; otherwise, it will soon be erase from memory. 
Also, one of my favorite
quotes regarding Islamic Calligraphy explains it all…

Calligraphy is the
tongue of the hand, the delight of the conscience, the ambassador of the mind,
the inheritor of the thought, the weapon of knowledge, the companion of absent
friend, the converser with them over long distances, the depository of secrets,
and register of events.

Quote by

 Ibrahim Ibn
Muhammad Ash-Shaybani in other words it is simply a visual tool to regain
consciousness of the Divine.

From the simplest
writing of the early Qur’an, when Islam and Muslims traveled in every direction
to different lands in time and space, and developed many different Arabic
scripts, the Kufic (Geometrical, Angular), the Naskhi (rounded), Andalusi, Maghribi,
Nastaliq, Diwani and even Sinai (in China), all expressing the beauty of the
words of Allaah Almighty in their own way.

It can be seen in mosaic
ed tiles, paintings, sculpture, on fabric and in the architectural elegance of
some of the most renowned buildings such as the Taj Mahal in India and the Al-
Hambra in Spain. Over time, Arabic civilization brought about the easy movement
of artisans and led to the interchange of artistic ideas and techniques. Arabic
patrons everywhere appreciated exuberant and colorful decoration. The
extravagant use of color, particularly tiles, is one of the hallmarks of Arabic
architecture.

Calligraphy began in 7th
Century and was always seen as a noble art, much revered and desired. Arabic
calligraphers integrate inner experiences with their experiences of external
reality. By imbuing strokes with life and feeling, an equilibrium of energy
flows from all composing elements. A calligrapher’s integration of inner and
external realities results in a very personalized style and is accompanied by
concentrated and unremitting scholarly study. The development of a calligraphy
style is as unique as the calligrapher’s personality, and its achievement is
considered as the representation.