Contents
1. Introduction 5
2.
Definition of
Calligraphy 6
3.
Tools of a
Calligrapher 9
4.
Calligraphy Pens 10
5.
Calligraphy Inks 11
6.
Famous Calligraphers
today and their countries 12
7.
How the Qur’aan was
recorded 13
8.
Brief biography of
‘Uthmaan Taha Calligrapher
of the Qur’aan 18
9.
Arabic Calligraphy
Styles 22
a.
Individual letters
b.
Meezaan measurement
system 24
c.
Paired letters 25
d.
Words 37
e.
Sentences 38
10. Examples of Arabic Calligraphy on road signs
and books 44
11. Tughra Calligraphy Signature of the Sultans 50
12. Signatures of modern Calligraphers 51
13. Map of the Middle East to show where the famous
Muslim Calligraphers lived 52
14. Calligraphy Quiz 53
15. Sources/ Links for Calligraphy shops and
courses 55
16. Video Demonstrations of Calligraphy 57
17. Calligraphy Quiz Answers 58
Introduction
I put this book together because I wanted to
share my enthusiasm about this fascinating topic. I am in no way a calligrapher
but I wanted to pass on what I have learned so others can be inspired to try
this beautiful, rewarding and useful art too. Above all it should make us
appreciate what the earlier and later calligraphers have done for us in
striving to learn the art of Arabic calligraphy and then using their skills to
pass on the revelation and the Islamic texts for centuries of people to benefit
from. This was before the printing press and mass production of books. Reading
the mushaf (copy of the Qur’aan) now means much more when you appreciate that
someone has written every single letter of the 604 pages by hand in a precise
manner that has been repeatedly checked for accuracy.
I have given a very brief overview of Arabic
calligraphy so that you (and your children) can be inspired to delve deeper
into the art at a later stage. This is the reason the title uses ‘About’ as I
do not claim I have covered everything in depth nor that you will become an
expert calligrapher by just reading (and tracing over the letters in) this
book. I have covered the tools needed, famous calligraphers today and how the
Qur’aan was recorded with the ‘Uthmaanee spelling system. Then I have provided
computer assisted examples of each of the main scripts so you can have a taste
of the differences.
I have finished off with examples of
calligraphy on some Islamic books and a quiz based upon the information in this
book.
There are plenty of links at the back to take
you further in your new interest and hopefully new hobby inshaa’Allaah.
Written by
Umm ‘AbdirRahmaan Tara Hashim
