While the shimmering blue tiles may give the Sultanahmet Mosque its famous name, its soul is articulated in a different, more profound language: the divine script that adorns its walls and soars into its grand dome. In Islamic tradition, where figurative art in sacred spaces is avoided, calligraphy is elevated to the highest form of artistic expression. It is not mere decoration; it is theology made visible, the sacred Word of God woven into the very fabric of the architecture. The Blue Mosque calligraphy transforms the building from a silent stone sanctuary into a speaking text, a place where the walls recite verses of light, guidance, and majesty. To visit this mosque without understanding its script is to see its body but miss its voice.
The Architect of Words: Master Calligrapher Seyyid Kasım Gubarî
Just as Sultan Ahmed I commissioned the great architect Sedefkâr Mehmed Ağa to raise the mosque’s domes, he sought out the most revered master of the pen to give the building its spiritual voice. This monumental task fell to Seyyid Kasım Gubarî of Diyarbakır, one of the greatest calligraphers of the 17th century.
The Greatest Calligraphic Artist of the 17th Century
Kasım Gubarî was a luminary in the world of Ottoman calligraphy art. His title, “Seyyid,” indicated his esteemed lineage as a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, adding a layer of spiritual gravitas to his artistic prowess. He was a master of the monumental scripts, known for his ability to imbue letters with both powerful grandeur and exquisite elegance. In an era when the calligrapher’s name was as celebrated as the architect’s, Gubarî’s commission was a statement in itself, signifying that the word of God would be rendered with a perfection befitting an imperial mosque.
From Paper to Wall: The Art of Integrating Script with Architecture
The challenge of monumental Islamic calligraphy in Blue Mosque is a discipline far removed from writing on paper. It is the art of architectural integration. Kasım Gubarî had to design compositions (terkip) that would harmonize with the soaring curves of a 43-meter-high dome, fit perfectly within vast circular panels, and flow seamlessly along the arches and walls. The letters themselves become architectural elements, their vertical strokes echoing the pillars and their horizontal sweeps defining the visual space. The calligrapher had to work in intimate collaboration with the architect, ensuring that the divine script was not simply applied to the structure, but became an inseparable part of its rhythm, balance, and spiritual message.
The Voice of the Main Dome: The Verse of Light (Surah An-Nur) and its Meaning
To understand the theological and artistic heart of the Blue Mosque, one must look up to the apex of the great central dome. Inscribed in a magnificent circular band is a verse from the Quran that is the key to the entire building’s design.
“Allah is the Light of the Heavens and the Earth”: The Secret Behind This Verse’s Selection
The primary verse inscribed in the main dome is Surah An-Nur, 24:35. The verse begins with one of the most powerful and poetic metaphors in the Quran:
“Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is like a niche within which is a lamp, the lamp is within glass, the glass as if it were a pearly [white] star lit from [the oil of] a blessed olive tree, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost glow even if untouched by fire. Light upon light. Allah guides to His light whom He wills. And Allah presents examples for the people, and Allah is Knowing of all things.”
The choice of these specific Quran verses in Sultanahmet Mosque was a stroke of genius. The architect designed a space illuminated by 260 windows, a sanctuary intended to be flooded with natural, divine light. By inscribing this particular verse in the dome—the symbolic heaven—Kasım Gubarî created a perfect synthesis of text and experience. The worshipper is simultaneously bathed in the physical light streaming through the windows while reading the script that describes God as that very light.
Representing Divine Light at the Center of the Dome
Placing the “Verse of Light” at the highest and most central point of the mosque reinforces the core Islamic concept of Tawhid, the absolute Oneness of God. The circular composition of the calligraphy, with no beginning and no end, is a visual representation of God’s infinite and eternal nature. The dome, representing the cosmos, is shown to have the divine Word and the concept of divine light at its very center. It is a profound statement: the entire universe, represented by the dome, revolves around the light and guidance of God.
The Spiritual Messages on the Walls: Selected Verses and Names
Beyond the central dome, the calligraphy throughout the mosque continues to deliver a curated spiritual narrative, guiding the visitor from the moment they enter.
Surah Al-Fatiha: The Welcome at the Entrance of the Mosque
Often, the calligraphy above a mosque’s main entrance or within its courtyard features verses from Surah Al-Fatiha (“The Opening”). As the first chapter of the Quran and the most frequently recited prayer in a Muslim’s daily life, its presence serves as a spiritual threshold. It is both a welcome and a preparation, inviting the visitor to enter a state of prayer and reflection as they pass into the sacred space.
The Names of the Prophets and the Four Caliphs Panels
One of the most striking calligraphic features in the Blue Mosque, as in many grand imperial mosques, is the set of massive circular panels hanging from the four colossal piers that support the dome. These panels are a visual catechism, reminding the faithful of the foundations of their religion. They traditionally bear the sacred names in magnificent script:
- Allah (God)
- Muhammad (The Prophet of Islam)
- The Four Rightly Guided Caliphs (Khulafa-ur-Rashidin): Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali, who were the first four successors to the Prophet Muhammad.
- The Prophet’s grandsons: Hasan and Husayn.
The placement of these names on the very pillars that hold up the dome is deeply symbolic. It is an architectural metaphor stating that the “house of Islam,” represented by the mosque itself, is supported and upheld by God, His Prophet, and the righteous leaders who followed him.
The Aesthetics of the Script: Different Calligraphic Styles within the Mosque
The meaning of Arabic script in mosques is conveyed not only through the words themselves but also through the artistic style in which they are written. The choice of script is as important as the choice of verse.
Jali Thuluth: The Majesty of Monumental Script
The dominant style used for the monumental inscriptions in the Blue Mosque is Jali Thuluth (rendered in Turkish as Celi Sülüs). Thuluth is known for its elegant, cursive flow and its dynamic, sweeping curves. The term Jali means “clear” or “large,” referring to its adaptation for large-scale architectural work. This script was perfected by Ottoman calligraphers and was considered the most appropriate for the grandeur of an imperial mosque. Its combination of clarity from a distance and intricate beauty up close makes it both legible and awe-inspiring, perfectly suited for conveying the majesty of the divine Word.
Composition and Placement as Part of the Architecture
The artistry of Seyyid Kasım Gubarî is evident in the masterful composition of the script. Calligraphy is not just about writing beautifully; it is about arranging words and letters in a perfectly balanced and harmonious design. The calligrapher must consider the “positive space” (the letters themselves) and the “negative space” (the background) with equal care. Whether fitting a long verse into a perfect circle for a dome, designing a symmetrical composition for a panel, or creating a flowing band to run along a wall, the calligraphic composition is a self-contained work of art that is also a fully integrated element of the building’s overall design.
Conclusion: “Reading” the Walls That Speak
A visit to the Blue Mosque offers a feast for the eyes, from its cascading domes to its luminous tiles. But a deeper understanding awaits those who pause to “read” its walls. The calligraphy is not a silent, abstract decoration; it is the articulate voice of the sanctuary, delivering a powerful and cohesive message of divine light, guidance, and mercy. By decoding the divine script, a visitor transforms from a mere spectator into a reader, engaging in a spiritual dialogue that has been inscribed in stone and plaster for over four hundred years. The Blue Mosque calligraphy offers more than a visit; it offers a spiritual reading experience, revealing the enduring power of a faith where the Word is not just heard, but beautifully and monumentally seen.
