Qur'anic writing board c. mid 20th century
anonymous
minneapolisinstituteofart
ink, wood
natural stone pattern
3d sculpting
3d model
rounded shape
sculpture
sculptural image
ink
stoneware
ceramic
curved shape
wood
curved surface
This anonymous Qur'anic writing board from the mid-20th century, now part of the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s collection, serves as a testament to the enduring importance of Islamic scripture. The wooden board is inscribed with Arabic script, likely passages from the Quran, which are believed to be the word of God as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. The writing board, measuring 26 1/4 × 8 1/4 × 1/4 in. (66.68 × 20.96 × 0.64 cm) (without base), would have been used for practicing calligraphy or as a visual aid for learning the Quran. This object is a tangible example of the role of Islamic art in religious practice and education.
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Muslims strongly believe in the healing powers of the Qur’an. Although reading and writing is the main purpose for Qur’anic boards, in some parts of Islamic Africa they are also used by Muslim healers, who write specific verses on them, wash off the writings, and collect the diluted ink. The liquid is given to the sick to drink as holy medicine. This board, furthermore, has numerical “mystic squares” of 4 by 4 on either side that increase its potency. Such mathematical grids, based on the belief in divine relations between numbers and events, are sometimes put to healing purposes.
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