Qur’anic Illumination
Some artists decorated the entire Qur’an, while others only decorated certain pages, such as the first pages and Surat al-Baqarah, al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq and al-Nas. They were careful to beautify the beginning and ending of the Qur’an to represent that within the covers was a manifestation of beauty and majesty, Flowers, palms and stars, appear in the margins indicating the endings of each Juz’, Hizb, Rub’, and markings for prostrations. Verse numbers and endings also became decorative elements as did the rectangular panels containing the name of the Sura, the place of revelation, and the Sura’s length.
The decoration of the Qur’an was continually practiced throughout Islamic history. Geometric, arabesque and calligraphic elements were used in a symmetrical and colorful manner that gave the Holy Qur’an a venerated form as well as text. The Arabesque used to beautify and decorate the Qur’an is sometimes referred to as Fann Al-Tawshih or Al-Raqsh Al- Arabi. We also note that these patterns were used in the adornment of walls, ceilings, domes, and Islamic contracts, which highlights the impact of the Holy Qur’an in the development of Islamic arts in various fields.
The Holy Qur’an
Copied in Persia in 1115 AH/1703 AD
A Shirazi frontispiece illuminates the first two pages and the exegesis is written in geometric shapes in the margins. The Persian translation is written in red ink. Deposited from King Khalid Library.
The Holy Qur’an
Copied in Persia in 1181 AH/1767 AD
The geometrically arranged margins highlight the beauty of the Arabic calligraphy. Wonderful panels illuminated the first and last pages, with the middle verses written in blue ink.
The Holy Qur’an
Copied in India in 12 c. AH/18 c. AD
The verses are written on a gilded background. The first two pages contain a Persian frontispiece that is gilded and illuminated with colorful roses.
The Holy Qur’an
Scribed by Youssef bin Abdalsabour Kashmeri
Copied in India in 1132 AH/1719 AD
A beautiful Qur’an that is an excellent example of the Mughal school of illumination. The scribe included many symbols of the various Qur’anic sciences.
The Holy Qur’an
Written by calligrapher Mohammad Saleh Al-Askadari
Copied in Turkey in 1198 AH/1783 AD
This is the 46th Qur’an vision by this calligrapher. The first two pages are illuminated in an Ottoman style that is gilded and colorfully ornamented with flowers and plants.
The Holy Qur’an
Scribed by Sayyed Mohammed Amin Copied in Turkey in 1238 AH/1822 AD
The pages are framed with gold, and a gilded Ottoman frontispiece illuminates the first two pages with colorful vegetable and floral patterns.
Mamluk Qur’ans
In the early Abbasid era. Qur’anic manuscripts began to take on their vertical format. This period was also marked by the appearance of the illuminated bifolio(two facing pages) at the beginning of the Qur’an, consisting of reflected symmetrical patterns. Later, during the Mamluk period in Egypt. Qur’anic manuscripts reached an extraordinary level of ornamentation. The now rarefied Mamluk Qur’ans emerged, which were primarily written for and named the kings or royal patrons who commissioned them.
The Holy Qur’an
Copied in Damascus in the 8 c. AH/14 c. AD
This manuscript is a section of the Qur’an. It is called Al-Rub’ah, which is a Baghdadi term that originally referred to the box that contained part of the Qur’an It later became the name of the text itself.
The Holy Qur’an
Copied in Egypt in 8 c. AH/14 c. AD
The pages are framed in gold borders. An illuminated mamluk frontispiece adorns the first two pages with colorful floral patterns. The side headings are colorful and gilded
The Holy Qur’an
Mamluki, copied in Egypt in the eighth century AH/14th century AD, by thuluth script, gilded and illuminated, and endowed to Sitt Miska, the nun of Sultan Muhammad ibn Qalawun (d. 741/1341), and her will to read from this version.
Miniature Qur’ans
Muslim artisans were skilled at crafting miniature Qur’ans that would be easy to carry and wear for the purpose of protection. During Ottoman rule, octagonal shaped Qur’ans were placed in banners used during battle, known as Sanjak or Sancak. The miniature mushafs were later referred to by that same name. This form was preceded by miniature Qur’anic texts written on scrolls in what is known as Ghubar script, or dust script, which can only be very closely. It is also known as “microscopic writing” because of the precise miniaturization of its letters.
The Holy Qur’an
Copied in India in 11 c. AH/17 c. AD
This Qu'ran is written vertically on a roll of paper that is 5m long and 6.5 cm wide. The sophisticated calligraphy incorporates fine script within larger script.
The Holy Qur’an
Copied in India in 11 c. AH/17 c. AD
This is a complete miniature Qu'ran. It measures 5.3 cm x 4.3 cm, and is illuminated and gilded.
The Holy Qur’an
Copied in India in the 13th c. AH/19 c. AD
The Qu'ran is divided in two parts and cut in a an octagonal shape (this technique was used for decorative Qu'rans). These first two pages have an illuminated border.