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 The written word is glorified in Islam, and at its summit is the Qur’an. The oldest fragments of the Qur’an are from the 8th century. Their origins are usually unclear, but they are usually attributed to North Africa or the Middle East. The power of their simplicity is self-evident. From around the 11th century onwards, paper took over from the original vellum. Decoration went from the minimalism of early Kufic to later examples adorned with enough gold and colour to overwhelm the words completely.
Scribes were honoured members of Islamic societies, and rulers were also prone to displaying their calligraphic prowess. This encompassed more than sacred texts. Illumination was rare on works of science and philosophy. The Islamic world’s contribution in these areas was valued for its substance rather than its appearance. Works of astronomy, mathematics and medicine looked less spectacular than religious texts but they led the world in scholarship.
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