Qalam, the reed pen

A qalam is the calligrapher's reed pen: it is made from a cut, dried reed and used for Islamic calligraphy.

The reed is cut at a specific angle that depends on the script it is meant to write.

The word comes from the Greek word for a reed or reed pen, and in Arabic it also means writing, script and a calligraphic style.

In the Quran the qalam is revered as a symbol of wisdom and education, and Sura 68 is called Al-Qalam.

Ibn Muqla developed a standardized system of calligraphy based on the marks made with the point of a reed pen.

In Mashq Studio

In Trace, the Studio's practice window, the pen is a flat reed nib held at each script's own angle, so thick and thin strokes come from the angle of the pen, as on paper. Open the Studio, free.

Where Mashq Learn teaches it · Free practice sheets

Other terms: The measure in dots (mizan) · Tashkeel, the Arabic diacritics · Kashida (tatweel) · the glossary

Sources: Wikipedia — Qalam · Wiktionary — قلم