Islamic calligraphy is a cornerstone of art in the Muslim community, says Imam Daayiee Abdullah, noting its influence across the world.
Muslim art is very diverse, including music, but nothing is as cross-cultural as calligraphy. Islamic calligraphy is the artistic practice of writing ornate Arabic script to preserve religious, philosophical, and poetic texts.
Through the centuries, it went through evolving across styles like Kufic, Naskh, Diwani, and Thuluth. And today, it continues to play a central role in both traditional and modern Islamic art and design.
To the naked eye, this art appears as intricate, flowing, and highly stylized Arabic script. Letters may be elongated, curving gracefully, with fluid strokes and decorative flourishes.
When you see it for the first time, it may seem mesmerizing. There is a harmonious mix of form and function that evoke beauty, spirituality, and timelessness.
In this guide, I will share its history, its place in Islamic art, and how it continues to evolve.
Calligraphy
Calligraphy is the art of beautiful, expressive, and decorative handwriting. It is creating unique letterforms using various tools. Some use brushes or pens, and usually incorporate flourishes and artistic embellishments.
The word “calligraphy” comes from the Greek “kalligraphia,” meaning “beautiful writing.”
Historically, calligraphy has been essential for manuscripts, religious texts, and official documents. It gained prominence in cultures such as ancient China, Islamic civilizations, and medieval Europe.
Over the centuries, each culture developed its own styles—like Arabic script, Chinese brush calligraphy, and Gothic lettering.
Today, calligraphy retains an important role in mainstream art and design. It bridges traditional craftsmanship with modern digital media. You may see it trhoguh wedding invitations, logo design, and graphic art.
Islamic Calligraphy
Islamic calligraphy is the artistic practice of writing in beautiful, ornate script. This art usually incorporates religious, philosophical, and poetic texts.
It has its origins in the early centuries of the faith. Historians say it emerged as a way to preserve and transmit the Quran while adhering to aniconism (the avoidance of figurative images).
In most Muslim cultures, Arabic script tends to be the foundation of Islamic calligraphy, and it has evolved into highly stylized forms.
There are styles such as Kufic and Naskh, with later styles like Diwani and Thuluth becoming popular for their elegance and complexity.
As Islam spread across the world, calligraphy took root. Therefore, you will find ancient and modern Islamic calligraphy across Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Islamic Calligraphy History
Historians say that Islamic calligraphy is as old as anything else in the faith, and Sharia in diverse cultures focuses on it. It has evolved significantly through different historical periods.
During Prophet Muhammad’s lifetime, writing was primarily functional that focused on preserving the Quran in simple, legible scripts. The early Arabic script was basic and lacked decorative flourishes.
However, the Islamic Golden Age (8th–14th centuries CE) saw the rise of ornate calligraphy. Scripts like Kufic, Naskh, Thuluth, and Diwani emerged.
Calligraphy became a major art form found in religious manuscripts, architectural decoration, and royal inscriptions. Across many parts of the Islamic world, calligraphy blended spiritual and intellectual pursuits.
During the European Colonial era (18th–20th centuries CE), Islamic calligraphy faced challenges. Colonialism, Western printing, and secularization influenced the arts more and more.
Yet, it adapted, with calligraphers turning to infusing traditional styles with modern influences. Calligraphers like Mohammad Hosni incorporated European stylistic influences while maintaining the spiritual essence of classical Arabic calligraphy.
Despite colonial pressures, calligraphy remained a symbol of cultural resilience, continuing to thrive in regions like the Ottoman Empire, where it was both an artistic and spiritual expression.
Today, museums across the Muslim World house anicent, traditional, and modern calligraphy. It influences everything from texts to architecture, and more.
Influence on Non-Muslims
The spread of Islam meant aspects of the faith became global. Islamic calligraphy influenced various cultures, shaping artistic and intellectual traditions.
In Arab culture, calligraphy became a central form of artistic expression. With scripts like Kufic and Naskh used in religious texts, architecture, and royal inscriptions that symbolize a connection to the divine.
In Persian culture, calligraphy flourished under the Safavid dynasty. Persian scripts such as Nasta’liq became prominent, influencing poetry and decorative arts.
In India, particularly during the Mughal Empire, Islamic calligraphy inflused with local traditions. This led to creating distinctive styles that adorned manuscripts, architecture, and paintings.
In West Africa, Muslim calligraphy became integral to the decoration of mosques and religious manuscripts. Across many cultures, it influenced both visual arts and education.
Much like Asia and Africa, Islamic calligraphy has a long history in Europe. It had an impact through the transmission of Arabic texts, particularly in Spain and Italy. Muslim calligraphy inspired artistic styles, especially in decorative arts, as part of the broader Orientalist fascination with Islamic aesthetics.
Today, Islamic calligraphy is everywhere. Even cultures with small minorities of Muslims, like the United States, have museums that show its magnificent influence.
How to Learn
When both Muslims and non-Muslims learn about Islamic calligraphy, there is a tendency to want to learn how to do it. If you feel that way, don’t worry; that is perfectly normal.
The best way to learn is through a combination of practice, study, and guidance. You could start by learning the basics of Arabic script.
Arabic script forms the foundation of Muslim calligraphy. Focus on classical scripts like Naskh, Thuluth, or Diwani, and practice basic strokes and letterforms.
Online resources, such as instructional videos, tutorials, and digital courses, will offer you valuable insights.
Platforms like YouTube, Skillshare, or specialized calligraphy websites provide step-by-step guides and templates.
Some calligraphers that are on social media also offer virtual workshops or courses. Follow them and slowly learn.
Of course, learning on your own gives you flexibility, as well as self-paced progress, which can be motivating. However, the lack of direct feedback can lead to bad habits or mistakes going unnoticed.
It may also be harder to develop a nuanced understanding of historical styles and cultural contexts without expert guidance.
So, to overcome this, you could occasionally seek feedback from experienced calligraphers or join online communities for support.
Feel free to join MECCA Institute Community, where we are incorporating plenty of resources on the topic.
Conclusion
Muslims appreciate calligraphy as way of experiencing the beauty of the Quran and Islamic teachings. As a result, Islamic calligraphy embodies spiritual significance through art.
As an aniconic tradition, it gives Muslims expression of faith without depicting human figures, which are frowned upon in major schools in Islam. Of course, Progressive Islam welcomes art of all types, just for your information.
Calligraphy, therefore, is a means of honoring the sacred through conveying both devotion and aesthetic grace.
May Allah continue to guide us all.
Imam Daayiee Abdullah is the Executive Director of MECCA Institute and the author of “Progressive Islam,” a historic book that defines Progressive Islam.