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The art of calligraphy holds a high position in Islamic art and aesthetics. Since pictorial depictions are largely prohibited in Islam, Muslim artists have used calligraphy as an alternative way by which to express their talents and devotions. This age-old tradition is still kept alive by the diligence and commitment of enthusiastic calligraphers.
When my father gave me a copy of what is known as the Alifi Qur'an in 1991, I could hardly believe my eyes. It is quite arguably the most unique copy of The Holy Qur'an - from an artistic point of view - ever produced in the 1400 years since its revelation.
It took 90-year-old, Delhi based calligrapher Pakiza Qalam Maulvi Mohammed Yusuf Qasmi Azimabadi nine and half years to produce this copy of The Holy Qur'an. Written in the classical Khat-e-Nuskh style, which originated in Baghdad some 800 years ago, every line of the Alifi Qur'an begins with the letter Alif, the first letter of the arabic alphabet and also the first letter in word 'Allah.'
Mr. Asghar Kothawala, of Al-Qur'an Printers - the publisher of this unique Qur'an - says, "This is the first time in the last 1400 years of Islamic history that this kind of Qur'an Sharif has been produced. It embodies the true essence of Quranic calligraphy over the past 14 centuries."
Symbolism in this ultra-thin, 185 page volume of the Holy Qur'an does not stop with the beautiful 'Alifs' so prevalent in its pages. Says Kothawala, "It has a number of salient features that make it unique... and yes, we've already written to the Guinness Book of World Records asking for an entry." For example:
¨Every page, except the first four pages, has exactly 23 lines; signifying the 23 years over which the Qur'an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The number 23 is also significant because Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was prophet for 23 years, from the age of 40 until his passing at age 63.
¨ 29 of the 30 Juz', or parts of the Qur'an, are completed in exactly six pages… signifying the Islamic belief that the world was created in six days.
¨ Each page has a Technicolor border around the text, which features seven colors representing the Nau Ratan (seven jewels) and the seven manzils into which the Qur'an is divided.
¨ At the beginning of each Surah (verse), the word "Bismillah" (In the Name of God) is written in a different calligraphic style. Calligraphic styles include early forms dating from the time of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) as well as the latest used by Pakistani calligraphers. At the end of the Qur'an, all 114 styles are featured, including: Kufic, Nuskh, Diwani, Thulth and Tughra…in addition to their dates of origin.
Additionally, the Alifi Qur'an also contains copies of letters written by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to the governors of Egypt and Bahrain, which still include the Prophet's seal.
When this monumental task was completed, a copy was sent to the religious authorities of the Saudi Arabian government, who after meticulous examination, declared it to be authentic. The first copy rolled from the presses was sent to Mecca, where it has been placed in the Kaaba. A second has been stored at the Prophet's mosque in Madina.
Copies have also been presented to various dignitaries of the Muslim world, many times on request, including to Prince Abdullah of Jordan, Sheikh Tantawi of Al Azhar, the Sultan of Brunei, etc.
For those wishing to obtain a copy of this unique Qur'an for themselves, the publishers will be present at the ISNA Convention, to be held in Chicago, IL from August 31st-September 3rd, 2001 at booth number F7. |
