calligraphy

Evidence

"The hilye has been perfected in the Ottoman tradition of calligraphy and tends to focus on hilye of the Prophet Muhammad."

Remarks

The Ottoman Hilye is a calligraphic genre that serves as a 'spiritual image' or 'beautiful and significant description' of the Prophet Muhammad. It functions as a visual mnemonic to oral traditions. The standard calligraphic format includes a central circular crescent containing text describing the Prophet's qualities, with the basmalah positioned above the circle and an ayah below it. The names of the Prophet's four companions typically surround the central circle. It is defined as a material, visual form that acts as a mnemonic for a larger oral tradition (p. 47).