The Earliest Dated Kufic Inscription From Qā` al-Mu`tadil, Near Al-Hijr (Saudi Arabia), 24 AH
Islamic Awareness
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First Composed: 21st January 2006
Last Modified: 21st January 2006
Assalamu `alaykum wa rahamatullahi wa barakatuhu:
Figure: Photo of the inscription.
Date
24 AH / 644 CE.
Script
Kufic.
Contents
The translation of the inscription is:
- In the name of God
- I, Zuhayr, wrote [this] at the time `Umar died in the year four
- and twenty (i.e., 24 AH).
Comments
This inscription is the earliest dated Kufic inscription with a photograph.
Next to this inscription is a graffito which says: anā Zuhayr mawlā ibnat Shayba. It is worthwhile pointing out that Caliph `Umar bin al-Khattāb died on the last night of the month of Dhūl-Hijjah of the year 23 AH, and was buried next day on the first day of Muharram of the new year 24 AH, corresponding to 644 CE. Thus the date mentioned in the inscription is authentic and conforms to the established and known date of the death of Caliph `Umar bin al-Khattāb. The two well-known papyri P. Berol. 15002 and PERF No. 558 from 22 AH / 642 CE also originate from `Umar's time.
This inscription, it appears, is destined to be the most famous of all the Arabic inscriptions as the UNESCO has added it to the Memory of the World Register of Documentary Collections.
Location
Qā` al-Mu`tadil (near al-Hijr), Saudi Arabia.
References
[1] `A.I. Ghabban, "Naqsh Zuhayr: Aqdam Naqsh Islāmī", Arabia, 2003, Volume I, pp. 293-342.
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