Arabic Calligraphy / The Holy Qur’an

‘The Qur’an, Islam’s Holy book, is God’s words revealed orally to the Prophet Muhammad in Arabic.’

The Qur’an, Islam’s Holy book, is God’s words revealed orally to the Prophet Muhammad in Arabic between hegira 610 and 632. It was collected and assembled into one volume by his companions and the early caliphs, especially the third caliph, ‘Uthman Ibn ‘Affan (23–35 / 644–56), in whose time the texts were organised into the Book as we know it today. The Qur’an consists of 114 chapters (sura) and 6,236 verses (ayat).

NameDynastyDetailsJustification
Page from a Qur'anHegira 3rd–4th centuries / AD 9th–10th centuriesAbbasidMuseum of Turkish and Islamic Arts
Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Turkey
This illuminated page from a Qur'an is written in kufic script on gazelle skin. Kufic script was widely used across the Islamic world, particularly in the early centuries of Islam.
Two pages from the Blue Qur'anHegira 4th century / AD 10th century (second half)FatimidMuseum of Islamic Art
Raqqada, Kairouan, Tunisia
This unique manuscript is written in kufic script using gold ink on blue-dyed parchment, a technique reserved for the patronage of caliphs and rulers.
Qur'anHegira 3rd–4th centuries / AD 9th–10th centuriesIdrisidNational Library
Rabat, Morocco
Thought to be from Fez, this volume is written in the Maghrebi style of Middle-Eastern Arabic kufic script, which was developed in North Africa in the 3rd / 9th century.