Millennium-Old Masterpiece: Rare Replica of Ibn al-Bawwab’s Quran Unveiled at Sharjah Book Fair

A precise facsimile of the 1,000-year-old manuscript, hailed as a pinnacle of Arabic calligraphy, offers visitors a glimpse into the art that shaped Islamic script.

SHARJAH: A meticulously crafted replica of one of the Islamic world’s most significant Qurans, penned by the legendary calligrapher Ibn al-Bawwab over a millennium ago, is captivating visitors at the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF).

The facsimile is displayed at the Safir Ardehal kiosk from Tehran, presenting a rare public opportunity to witness the artistry of a manuscript that revolutionized Arabic writing.

Hamed Deshdashti of Safir Ardehal explained the artifact’s profound importance. “This is one of the oldest complete Quran manuscripts written by a known hand,” he said. “The original, from the year 391 AH (around 1000 CE), is preserved at the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin. Ibn al-Bawwab didn’t just write; he transformed calligraphy into an art of perfect proportion and spiritual depth.”

The manuscript is written in the naskh script, a style Ibn al-Bawwab refined and perfected. Moving away from the more angular Kufic script, his work introduced unparalleled fluidity and readability.

“In this Quran, you can see how every letter breathes within its own space,” Deshdashti noted, highlighting the 16 lines of balanced text per page. “He believed beauty lies in balance—every curve and dot follows a divine harmony. The rules he created a thousand years ago still influence Arabic typography today.”

Remarkably, historical evidence suggests Ibn al-Bawwab was a sole artisan, single-handedly executing the calligraphy, gold decorations, and floral borders. Using a reed pen, natural soot-based ink, and vellum paper, he achieved a masterpiece of consistency and elegance.

“For visitors, this facsimile is more than an old book. It’s a window into history and craftsmanship,” Deshdashti concluded. “What you see here is pure human skill; no machine can reproduce the harmony between ink, line, and faith.”

The exhibit stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Islamic artisans, bringing a tangible piece of cultural history to a new generation of admirers at SIBF.