Is This the World’s Largest Handwritten Qur’an on Scrolls?
“Whenever I think of this Qur’an, it fills me with a wonderful feeling that the mighty God granted me the life to finish this work. I feel very proud,” says Ali Zaman, a 54-year-old Iraqi calligrapher, as he gazes at his masterpiece with pride.
Ali is referring to his labor of love, possibly the world’s largest manuscript of the Qur’an, which he worked on for six years.
The completed work consists of 302 double-sided scrolls, each measuring 4 meters (13 feet) in length and 1.5 meters in width. The sheets, resembling heavy parchment, were custom-made for Zaman using a unique blend of traditional materials, including eggs, cornstarch, and alum.
In Islamic art, calligraphy is regarded as one of the most esteemed artistic traditions in the Muslim world. This art form has preserved and enhanced Islam’s holy book and has also been used to decorate mosques, palaces, and manuscripts.
In Turkey, calligraphy flourished during the Ottoman era when state support helped artists develop distinctive styles. Today, Istanbul is recognized as an important center for this art, known in Turkish as “hat”.
Art expert Umit Coskunsu explains that due to restrictions in Islamic tradition regarding the depiction of figures, calligraphy became a central form of artistic expression. He describes “hat” as a form of worship, stating, “The art of hat is not just calligraphy; it is seen as a means of worshipping Allah SWT and coming closer to Him.”
Zaman was born in Ranya, a town in Iraq’s Sulaymaniyah governorate, and moved his family to Istanbul in 2017 to pursue his Qur’an project and refine his craft.
He developed an interest in Islamic calligraphy around age 12, when he first encountered the art form in Iraq. “The art of calligraphy was very attractive to me. I felt that I could find my soul in it,” he said.
Each sheet of the manuscript has been entirely handwritten. Zaman labored from dawn to dusk in a small room designated for him at the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque in Istanbul.
Zaman’s son recalled the long periods of absence his father faced while working on the project. “We only saw him when we brought him food or when he came home at night to sleep,” said Rekar Zaman. “Thank Allah SWT, we see more of him now.”
May Allah SWT bless Brother Ali for his efforts and his family for their support. Aameen.
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