Thuluth script was first formulated in the 7th century during the Umayyad caliphate, but it did not develop fully until the late 9th century. The name means 'a third' -- perhaps because of the proportion of straight lines to curves, or perhaps because the script was a third the size of another popular contemporary script. Though rarely used for writing the Holy Qur'an, Thuluth has enjoyed enormous popularity as an ornamental script for calligraphic inscriptions, titles, headings, and colophons. It is still the most important of all the ornamental scripts.

Thuluth script is characterized by curved letters written with barbed heads. The letters are linked and sometimes intersecting, thus engendering a cursive flow of ample and often complex proportions. Thuluth is known for its elaborate graphics and remarkable plasticity.

"Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah: for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction."

(From the Holy Qur'an: Surah: 13, Ar-Ra'd, Verse: 28.)

"Allah Has taught man that which he knew not"

(From the Holy Qur'an, Surah: 96, AL-Alaq, Verse: 5)

"There is no God who truly deserves to be worshipped but Allah alone and Mohammed (peace and blessings be upon him) is the messenger of Allah"

(The profession of faith in Islam)

"(Moses) said: O my Lord! exapnd me my chest; Ease my task for me;"

(From the Holy Qur'an: Surah: 20, Ta-Ha, verse: 25)

"O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you may despise each other)."

(From the Holy Qur'an: Surah: 49, Ar-Hujurat, Verse: 13.)

"Allah! There is no god but He, - the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor is there can intercede in His presence except as He permits? He knows what (appears to His creatures as) Before or After or Behind them. Nor shall they compass anything of His knowledge except as He wills. His Throne extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory)."

(From the Holy Qur'an, Surah 2, Al-Baqarah, V255.)