Saudi Arabia Displays Rare Early Kufic Quran Manuscript

Saudi Arabia Displays Rare Early Kufic Quran Manuscript
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The Museum of the Holy Quran in the Hira Cultural District in Mecca is displaying one of the rarest historical Quran manuscripts, a Kufic Quran dating back to the early centuries of the Islamic calendar. The exhibition aims to highlight the early stages of recording the Holy Quran and the development of Arabic calligraphy during the formative Islamic period.

The manuscript on display is estimated to date to the second or third century AH. It was written in Kufic script on parchment, one of the earliest materials used for Quranic manuscripts, giving it significant historical and scholarly value and making it an important witness to the preservation and documentation of the Quran.

The Quran is distinguished by its horizontal, oblong format, known as the safini style, which was common in early manuscripts. This reflects the artistic and technical characteristics of the period and underscores the prominence of Kufic script as one of the earliest Arabic scripts used to write the Quran. The manuscript begins with verse 50 of Surah Al Imran and continues through to the end of Surah Abasa, indicating that it is a partial manuscript, typical of early Quran copies used for teaching and memorization.

The display is part of broader efforts to showcase Quranic treasures and historical manuscripts, introduce visitors to the history of the Holy Quran and the evolution of Arabic calligraphy, enrich the cultural experience of visitors to the Hira Cultural District, and reinforce Mecca’s status as a center of Quranic and Islamic heritage.