Arabic Calligraphy with Shahzad Hoca

GENERAL INFO:

Subject: Arabic Calligraphy

Course Format: Online

Dates: Fridays

May 26 - June 23, 2023 

[Eid Break] 

July 7 - 28, 2023

Time: 6 - 8 PM CT

Instructor: Shahzad Lari Hoca

ABOUT THE COURSE

This semester-long course immerses the student in the classical way of learning Arabic Calligraphy (Thuluth and Naskh scripts), taught in the Osmanli (Ottoman) tradition for over five hundred years. Our teacher Shahzad Lari Hoca will teach this, a calligrapher of the Thuluth and Naskh scripts. Therefore, access to feedback and corrections by a calligrapher is crucial for this class. This ensures that the teacher corrects and refines your practice in real time.

The Thuluth script is a beautiful cursive script often used in Islamic architecture. The Naskh script is one of the first scripts in Islamic calligraphy and is often used in copies of the Qur'an.

The most important aspect of this class is correcting your work by a master calligrapher, not continually copying mistakes in your practice. The Islamic arts are transmitted through the Ijaza system, and this methodology has preserved calligraphy for over 1000 years. Therefore, students are expected to allocate 10 hours per week to practice, prepare their lessons for submission, and attend live online classes.

The Divinely inspired purpose of calligraphy is to learn the mechanics of writing the letters, which are based on philosophical and spiritual understandings and are also a means of disciplining the nafs. "Patience is Beautiful" is a message Haji Noor Deen Hoca often repeats to his students. Arabic Calligraphy is considered an Islamic science (akin to fiqh and Tafseer) because it preserves the written Word of Allah and is a means of purification of the nafs. There are many texts on the subject written by present and past scholars. Understanding the intentions of the scholars who developed and preserved this Islamic science helps refine one's intention before embarking on the calligraphic path—May Allah Grant Tawfiq to all of your endeavors.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

Students can buy supplies from the Islamic Art Supplies (click to view) store.

• Bamboo/reed qalam in sizes: 2mm and 3mm.
• Felt or leather pad for under your paper
• Arabic calligraphy paper (glossy laser printer paper if not available)
• Ink, lika, and inkwell
• Leather handrest (other materials are also acceptable)
• Knife for sharpening the qalam (kalem terash, Olfa cutters, or Olfa heavy-duty cutters)
• Maqta': for cutting the nib of the qalam. Scissors can be used as well.
• Fine sandpaper (1200-2000 grade)

In your first class with Shahzad Hoca, he will discuss the history of Islamic calligraphy, materials, and how to prepare your homework.

ŞEY HAMDULLAH CALLIGRAPHY APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM:

Once you have joined the class, you will be initiated into the Şeyh Hamdulllah Calligraphy Apprenticeship Program. Apprenticeship is "the method or process of gaining knowledge of a trade, art