THE WRITTEN WORDS IN ISLAMIC SPACE: CALLIGRAPHY ACROSS ARCHITECTURE AND OBJECTS

Abstract

Islamic calligraphy has an important role in the artistic, spiritual, and cultural heritage of the Islamic world. It is not just beautiful but also serves as a way to express religious beliefs, provide moral lessons, and represent cultural identity. This study looks at how calligraphy is placed in various contexts throughout Islamic civilization, including large structures like mosques, madrasas, shrines, palaces, and civic buildings. It also examines smaller items such as coins, manuscripts, legal documents, weapons, household objects, textiles, jewellery, and luxury arts. The relationship between script, decoration, and space is highlighted, with examples such as the Patio de la Acequia in the Alhambra in Granada where Naskh and Kufic inscriptions combine with geometric and plant designs, changing architectural spaces into areas filled with text and spirituality. This analysis shows that Islamic calligraphy acts not just as decoration but also as a way to express religious feelings, political power, and cultural values, showing its lasting impact in both past and present times.