Arabographic texts and the problem of reading

Abstract

This article explores the development of the Arabographic tradition during the early centuries of Islam. Evidence from pre-Islamic graffiti, poetry, and prose, as well as other sources, suggests the existence of an established writing tradition in western Arabia during this period. Furthermore, the Quran contains indications of the use of written documents. This graphic system enabled writing not only occasional or brief text fragments, but also significant volumes of information. The codification of the Quran marked a pivotal moment in the final transition from an oral to a written cultural tradition. The earliest handwritten fragments of the sacred text, as well as epigraphy, enable tracing the progression from a basic to a more intricate writing system. This comprised distinctive signs for consonant graphemes, vowel indicators, regular utilization of matres lectionis, and so on. The surviving documents also demonstrate a broad range of script variations. Later on, in the 8th century, early medieval Muslim scholars transcribed the poetic heritage and prose of the Jahiliyyah period using this graphic system.