Muhaqqaq

Meaning

• “Muhaqqaq” means “fully-realized,” and “strongly expressed”

Uses

• Muhaqqaq was used throughout the Islamic world to write fine, large Qur’ans or architectural inscriptions

Companion script

• Muhaqqaq is most often written in conjunction with rayhani, which is a smaller version of the same script.

Timeline

• Developed in the 10th century
• Refined by Şeyh Hamdullah in the 15th century
• Yielded its place to Thuluth at the end of the 17th century
• Muhaqqaq is mostly obsolete today, but by tradition is still used to write the bismillah (an Islamic phrase meaning, “In the name of God, most gracious, most compassionate”)

Distinctive characteristics

• Precise, angular script with upright letters
• Carefully balanced ascenders and horizontal letters
• Strong horizontal emphasis (wider than it is shorter)
• Descending strokes end in a straight, sharp points rather than turning upwards in a hook
• Descending round strokes often encircle the following letter