Naskh

Meaning

• “Naskh” is derived from the verb “nasakha,” meaning “to transcribe or copy”

Uses

• Naskh eventually replaced Kufic as the script of choice for the Qur’an; now more Qur’ans are written in Naskh than in all other scripts combined
• Popular for writing books because of its legibility
• Adapted for printing, it is still the most common font in printed Arabic

Companion script

• Thuluth is the larger script often used in conjunction with naskh

Timeline

• Developed in the 10th century
• Refined by Şeyh Hamdullah in the 15th century
• Still in use today

Distinctive characteristics

• Small script, neat and balanced
• Letter shapes are more fluid and curved than rayhani
• Letters lean slightly to the left
• Descending letters end in an upward hook
• Equal division between flat and round shapes and heavy and light strokes
• Highly legible, clear and quick to write

Notes

• Called the “servant of the Qur’an” because it is used so often for copying this holy book
• Because the letter shapes in naskh are based on different proportions than the other scripts, it is hard to learn to write naskh well