مرجع الطلاب في الخط العربيPrepared by Khaalid Muhammad al-Misree al-Khattaat
Reviewed by al-Ustaadh ‘Abdul-Majeed Khayaalee
Published by Daar-ul-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah
Pages 222
Soft Cover
I purchased this book with a set of grammar books that come in a series put out by Daar-ul-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah in Beirut, Lebanon. If you are into Arabic calligraphy and its history then you are really going to enjoy this one. Other Arabic calligraphy books that I have read focus on the discipline of writing and form but what makes this book unique is the fact that it draws from the whole history of how Arabic writing evolved. It draws its proofs from the Quraan, the Ahaadeeth, and the statements of the Salaf.
The author starts off with the history of Arabic writing and how it came about. He incorporates the relationship between writing and speech alongside calligraphy and grammar. He then brings a section that covers information regarding each Arabic letter and how the People of Knowledge differed in arranging them and teaching them.
Then he goes into the manners that the calligrapher should observe when writing and covers basic strokes and writing exercises. After this he divides the rest of the book into seven sections each covering the eight most popular styles of Arabic calligraphy:
Then he goes into the manners that the calligrapher should observe when writing and covers basic strokes and writing exercises. After this he divides the rest of the book into seven sections each covering the eight most popular styles of Arabic calligraphy:
الثلث
Thuluth
النسخ
Naskh
الفارسي
Faarisee
الديواني
Diwaanee
جلي الديواني
Jalee Diwaanee
الرقعة
Ruq’aah
الكوفي
Koofee
المغربي
Maghribee
(A page on how to write in Thuluth.)
(Some beautiful examples of Thuluth.)
(Writing in Faarisee style.)
(Examples of the style.)
(Writing in Diwaanee style.)
(Examples of the style.)
(Writing in Ruq'aah)
(Examples of Ruq'aah.)
(The Koofee or Kufic style is the most ancient style. Old copies of the Quraan were written in it.)
(Some pages on the Kufic and Maghribee styles)
There is some very beautiful and impressive calligraphy throughout the book along with the poem of Aboo ‘Abbaas ar-Rifa’aaee entitled: Natham li-Aalee as-Samt fee Hasan Taqweem Badee’-ul-Khatt which covers the proper manners of writing the Arabic letters and sentences.
This is a good read and highly enlightening even if you are not big on calligraphy it gives you a great sense of respect for the art. Most of the styles covered in this book appear in many titles of the ‘Ulamaa’s books that are published in the fancy scripts. After reading through it you will be able to better identify those styles contained within your book shelves, and Allah knows best.
