Naskh was one of the earliest scripts to evolve. It gained popularity after being redesigned by the famous calligrapher Ibn Muqlah in the 10th century. Because of Ibn Muqlah's comprehensive system of proportion, Naskh style displays a very rhythmic line.

Naskh later was reformed by Ibn al-Bawaab and others into an elegant script worthy of the Qur'an -- and more Qur'ans have been written in Naskh than in all the other scripts together. Since the script is relatively easy to read and write, Naskh appealed particularly to the general population.

Naskh is usually written with short horizontal stems -- and with almost equal vertical depth above and below the medial line. The curves are full and deep, the uprights straight and vertical, and the words generally well spaced. Currently, Naskh is considered the supreme script for almost all Muslims and Arabs around the world.

"Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of the Dawn"

(From the Holy Qur'an, Surah: 113, Al-Falaq, Verse: 1)

"Praise be to Allah; the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds;"

(From the Holy Qur'an, Surah 1, Al-Fatiha (The Opening))

"In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful"

(The Basmalah)

"Say: Nothing will happen to us except what Allah has decreed for us:He is our Protector: and on Allah let the Believers put their trust."

(From the Holy Qur'an, Surah: Repentance, 9, Verse: 51)

"...So proclaim the glad tidings to the Believers"

(From the Holy Qur'an, Surah: 9, At-Tauba, Verse: 112.)