Read, Learn and Explore - Surah Al-Mulk

Another focus of calligraphers during the Islamic Golden Age was the 99 names of Allah. Since Muslims are forbidden to depict God as the human mind cannot comprehend Him, Muslims use the 99 names of Allah to know His attributes. Some of the names of Allah include “The Most Merciful” and “The Most Gracious”, and these names in their Arabic form are used to decorate mosques and ornamental objects.

Without understanding the meaning but falling in love with the design, Europeans tried to imitate Arabic calligraphy, either known to them through trade or from souvenirs brought back by pilgrims to the Holy Land. Interestingly enough, a cross dating back to the 9th century found in Ireland bears the Arabic inscription “Basmallah” (Bismillah), meaning “In the name of Allah”.