Exploring Key Texts in Islamic Calligraphy: Kalem Güzeli

Insights from Mahmud Bedrettin Yazır's 'Kalem Güzeli, Beauty of the Pen

Photograph of writer, calligrapher and lecturer Mahmut Bedrettin Yazır. He is also the brother of the famous Turkish theologian, Qur'an translator, and Qur'anic exegesis scholar Elmalılı Hamdî Yazır.

'Kalem Güzeli,' written by Mahmud Bedrettin Yazır, stands as an enduring cornerstone in the realm of Arabic calligraphy. This seminal work, which shortly translates to "The Beauty of the Pen," is revered for its profound insights into the art form, offering a comprehensive guide for both novices and seasoned practitioners. Yazır's magnum opus delves deep into the intricacies of Arabic calligraphy, imparting technical expertise and a philosophical understanding of the craft.

During the Ottoman period, emphasis was placed on writing works about calligraphers rather than works on calligraphy. Artistic and philosophical aspects were not directly included in calligraphy studies. Mahmut Bedrettin Yazır, who had the ability and competence to write such a work in the 20th century, wrote Kalem Güzeli with a work spanning nearly nine years (20 April 1942 - 3 February 1951). Although the book's full title is Lettering in the World of Civilization & Beauty of the Pen in Islamic Civilization, the readership has adopted the name Beauty of the Pen.

I consider myself fortunate enough to have the original copy of the three volumes published in between 1972-1989.

After completing the manuscript of his five-volume work, each of which constitutes a book, he began to write it down with his handwriting in ruq’ah, but he passed away in the middle of the fourth volume. Briefly stated, the volumes of the work focused on these areas:

• The first volume of the book is devoted to Islamic Calligraphy from a scientific perspective,

• The second volume is devoted to calligraphy tools and supplies,

• The third volume is devoted to Islamic Calligraphy and its types,

• The fourth volume is devoted to writing harmony,

• The fifth volume is devoted to the metaphysical examination of Islamic Calligraphy.

The book involves a lot of technical terminology of Islamic Calligraphy. An example page demonstrating parts of the letters in Thuluth, metaphorically named after body parts in Turkish.

Later, through Halim Baki Kunter, one of Mahmut Yazır's friends, Kalem Güzeli was shown to M. Uğur Derman in 1969, and he was asked to prepare it for publication in 1971. Derman aimed not to intervene in the text but tried to enrich the subjects with annotations and chose to correct some parts because the book was to be published with the aim of raising awareness about Islamic Calligraphy, an art that was about to be forgotten to large masses then.

The work was first published in three volumes in different years (I-1972, II-1974, III-1989), and the first two volumes were reprinted together in another edition in 1981. More than 40 years later, the first two volumes of the pioneering work have been re-prepared by Hüseyin Gündüz and Faruk Taşkale and published by the Presidency of Religious Affairs in April 2023 in Turkish.

It’d be unfair to call it a book; it's an invaluable source for Arabic calligraphy enthusiasts. Its timeless insights and technical expertise have made it an invaluable companion on the journey to mastering this revered art. Hopefully, we could see it published in English one day.

Works Cited

Derman, M. Uğur. “YAZIR, Mahmut Bedrettin - TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi.” İslam Ansiklopedisi, TDV, https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/yazir-mahmut-bedrettin.

Inal, Ibnülemin Mahmut Kemal. Son Hattatlar - Ibnülemin Külliyati. Ketebe Yayinlari, 2021.