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Naskh (script)

Naskh (نسخ, also known as Naskhi or by its Turkish name Nesih, from Arabic نسخ nasakha, naskh meaning "to copy") is a specific calligraphic style for writing in the Arabic alphabet, thought to be invented by Ibn Muqlah. With small modifications, it is the style most commonly used for printing Arabic, and usually the first to be taught to children.

This type of script was derived from Thuluth by introducing a number of modifications resulting in smaller size and greater delicacy. It is written using a small, very fine pen known as a cava pen, which makes the script eminently suitable for use in book production. Naskhi was used in copying Qur'ans, Delails, En-ams and Hadiths. It was also used in commentaries on the Qur'an (Tefsir) and in collections of poetry (Divan). It was and is a very widely used form of script.

Naskh, along with Ta'liq, is also famous for giving rise to the Nasta'līq script, the script used for writing Urdu, Persian, and Pashto.

Computers typically use Naskh or a Naskh-like script, for instance: بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم (the bismillah).

See also

• National Language Authority
• Urdu keyboard

External links

• Thuluth and Naskh Works - Gallery
• Islamic Calligraphy Naskh & script types
• Naskh calligraphy
• Naskh Calligraphy Image