Al Asma Al Husna: The Beautiful Names of Allah

 

Al Asma Al Husna was a series of Light installations combining Arabic calligraphy and neon lighting to share and celebrate Islamic heritage through the 99 Beautiful Names of Allah. It is said that knowledge of Allah’s Beautiful Names is among the most valuable knowledge a person can acquire, and this project was created to bring that heritage to the people of Bradford.

The installations offered a unique way to experience Islamic faith, art, and culture. The project innovatively transformed traditional Islamic art, typically expressed through static calligraphy and geometric forms, into a contemporary medium, inviting people of all backgrounds to explore the spiritual and ethical dimensions of Islam.

There are 99 names or attributes through which Allah describes Himself in the Qur’an. While Islamic tradition prohibits images of Allah, these Names allow believers to understand Him through His attributes.

Three of these Names—An Nur (The Light/The Illuminator), Al Wadood (The Most Loving), and As-Salaam (The Giver of Peace)—were selected for the installations. Created in partnership with The Muslim Women’s Council and The Leap, the pieces were designed and developed with a group of Bradford Muslim women, in collaboration with Arabic Calligrapher Razwan Ul-Haq and Neon Workshops. Together, they produced three striking light installations in distinct calligraphic styles, symbolically spreading light, love, and peace across Bradford.

The installations aimed to give people from all communities the opportunity to engage creatively, deepen their understanding of living Islamic heritage, and reflect on how we can show love, bring light to our neighbourhoods, and nurture peace within our communities. They also created space for families and communities to reflect on the qualities embodied in the Names and to spark new conversations about intercultural experiences in one of the UK’s most diverse cities.

These installations appeared at various locations across Bradford throughout 2021 and beyond.

The project invited visitors to enjoy the artwork, share their thoughts and images on social media using #AlAsmaAlHusna, and complete an online survey to support future creative initiatives.

The installations were dedicated to Nuzhat Ali, co-founder of the Muslim Women’s Council, who passed away in February 2021. The project, conceived by Nuzhat, was deeply close to her heart. This work stands as a tribute to her faith, vision, and lifelong commitment to creativity.

#AlAsmaAlHusna

@theleapBD

@MWC_Bradford

https://www.theleapbradford.co.uk

https://www.muslimwomenscouncil.org.uk

 

Van Gogh Alive Collaboration

From October 2022, Van Gogh Alive, the world’s most visited immersive, multisensory art experience, was hosted at Bradford’s Regency Hall. Beginning 20 January 2023, the exhibition featured new projections, including our Arabic calligraphy representations of Al Asma Al Husna. The exhibition concluded on 29 January 2023.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑! Book your tickets here to view this unique exhibition: https://vangoghaliveuk.com/bradford/

 

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An-Nur - The Light/The Illuminator

 

 

An – Nur: The Light

“Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is like a niche within which is a lamp, the lamp is within glass, the glass as if it were a pearly [white] star lit from [the oil of] a blessed olive tree, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost glow even if untouched by fire. Light upon light. Allah guides to His light whom He wills. And Allah presents examples for the people, and Allah is Knowing of all things”. (Quran 24:35)

This name has many mystical connotations.

The One who is the divine light of all the worlds. The One whose light illuminates the heart. The One who is the light of wisdom and guidance. The One whose light clarifies, manifests and reveals. The One light by which the obscure is made clear. The One who clears away all darkness and brings in the light.

An-Nur is the one who is light and has created light. An-Nur is also the one who illuminates the hearts of the believers with knowledge, faith and guidance. Do as many good deeds as you can, so you will have light in your life. When a beam of light passes through a glass prism, how does this help us to understand the wonderful diversity in life and across the Bradford & Keighley communities?

What kind of feelings and virtues can we bring to our life to shine light into others’ lives?

Saadia Mushtaq, a member of the creative team for the project says:

This Name reminds me of positivity, hope and life, and it fits perfectly with the installation itself which is all about light.

Calligraphy Style – Diamond.

Razwan Ul Haq:

The Attribute *An-Nur* "The Light," is inspired from the timeless Kufic script. Reading from the right, the tall upright line is the Arabic letter Alif, indicating the unity of humankind. In order to differentiate the piece from conventional angular kufic, corners have been softened by 45 degree steps. Almost as if having periscopic reflecting of light. In these testing times, may light not diminish. Rather, may light reflect, forever gladdening hearts.

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Al-Wadood – The Most Loving

 

Al-Wadood – The Most Loving

 

“But ask forgiveness of your Lord, and turn unto Him: For my Lord is indeed full of mercy and loving-kindness”. (Quran 11:90)

“And He is the Oft-Forgiving, Full of Loving-Kindness”. (Quran 85:14)

 

Designed in a unique style of Calligraphy - Bradford Bauhaus by artist Razwan Ul-Haq, Al-Wadood (the most loving) is the source of all love and affection. Al – Wadood translates as “the affectionate” or “the most loving” – but it holds a much deeper meaning than that. It goes beyond the basic idea of love. Al-Wadood comes from the word Al-wud– which means the act of love through giving, so it is an active expression of love, not just an emotion.

Love Al-Wadood above everything and strive to love others. Share your love as it’s free to give, and help to bring joy and kindness to the world.

Think of ways that we might be able to share and show our love more often.

Masira Hans, a member of the creative team for the project says:

This Name reminds us of how Islam is based upon love, honour and mercy and how merciful Allah is, how He can bring love and contentment in our lives.

Calligraphy Style-Bradford Bauhaus.

Razwan Ul Haq:

The calligraphy for the Attribute *Al Wadood* "The Loving" was inspired when walking amongst the Bradford architecture of Little Germany. Whilst the "Staatliches Bauhaus" movement came after the imposing architecture of Little Germany, it provided the geometric inspiration behind the installation currently on Bradford Central Mosque. Students of calligraphy - it is vital to learn one of the traditional scripts well. It is also necessary to feel the ambiance of the local area.
I call this script, which has an undertone of classical Kufic 'Bradford Bauhaus'.

 

As-Salaam – The Perfection and Giver of Peace

“Those who have faith and whose hearts find peace in the remembrance of God- truly it is in the remembrance of God that hearts find peace”. (Quran 13:28)

“O soul at peace, return to your Lord, well pleased & well-pleasing. Enter with My servants, enter into My Garden.” (Quran 89:27-30)

 

As-Salaam is the provider of Peace and perfection. Our communities, people and families should be greeted with Salaam. Strive to be among them by doing good deeds and spread the Salaam to the world. Across religions we see the spreading of peace taking place, as-salamu alaykum (Islamic greeting) and shalom aleichem (Jewish greeting) are just two examples of the collective need to share peace within our diverse communities.

Fatima Ayub, a member of the creative team for the project says:

Allah is the source of peace that grants us security, safety and peace in our lives. I feel overwhelmed with thanks and gratitude. His beautiful name shows me where to look and what to seek: He is the Flawless Source of Peace, He teaches me where to turn when I am faced with both internal and external stresses in this world.

Calligraphy Style – Azimuth.

Razwan Ul Haq:

The Attribute *As-Salaam* "The Giver of Peace," in the art installation is inspired from mirror writing found in what some visitors have described as a meditative contemporary Art Gallery (it is actually an Ottoman Mosque called Bursa Ulu Camii, in Bursa, Turkey. As soon as you enter, the feeling is of a serene ocean of art. There is a visual feast from 41 major Ottoman Calligraphers lining the interiors, many of which feature mirrored calligraphy).
The Kufic undertones again provide a contemporary feel to the Bradford skyline.
This neon Calligraphy installation is currently viewable very easily as soon as darkness falls outside Bradford Central Mosque.