What is the view of calligraphy in Shia ideology? Are there any narrations that mention this art form? Is there any validity to the claim that the pen was considered God's "first creation"? | Ask A Question | Al-Islam.org

Art Sunni-Shi'a Calligraphy

What is the view of calligraphy in Shia ideology? Are there any narrations that mention this art form? Is there any validity to the claim that the pen was considered God's "first creation"?

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Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answer updated 1 year ago

There are some narrations attributed to Ahl al-Bayt (A) about beautifying handwriting, which I will paste below (even if, given my dismal handwriting, it is somewhat hypocritical). Calligraphy can be seen in the light of this ethos. Most Shi'a value calligraphy as an art.

The pen - Shi'i narrations usually say that the first creation is the light of the Prophet (S). The idea that the pen was the first thing created is also mentioned in some narrations (although I am not sure offhand if they also appear in Shi'i sources). Shi'i narrations also describe the pen as being created of light and as an angel. Some people (especially with a philosophical perspective) may try to combine all these views (that is, it is all essentially the same thing that was created; for instance, it was the active intellect), although in my view it's fine to treat them as separate things, and to say the light of the Prophet (S) was created first.

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Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Split the nib of your pen, thicken its blade, slant it to the right and you will beautify your handwriting.’

Imam Ali (AS) said to his scribe Ubaydullah b. Abd Rafi, ‘Put cotton flake in the inkpot, keep the nib of your pen long, leave space between lines and join up the letters because this is most suited to creating beautiful handwriting.’

The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Good handwriting increases the clarity of truth.’

The Prophet (SAWA), regarding Allah’s verse “or some vestige of [divine] knowledge”, said that this means handwriting.’

Ata’ b. Yasar narrates, ‘The Prophet (SAWA) was asked about handwriting and he said, ‘It was (first) taught by a prophet and those who were with him learned it.’

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Handwriting is the hand’s tongue.’

[reproduced from The Scale of Wisdom: A Compendium of Shi'i Hadith]