Final answer:
The centrality of Qur'an writing in Islamic art and culture is due to the prohibition of idolatry, leading to a focus on calligraphy as a sacred representation of God's word. This tradition stems from both an oral and written religious heritage, where Arabic calligraphy serves as a visual celebration of the Qur'an's text, present in various art forms and cultural practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The writing from the Qur'an is a central feature of Islamic culture and art because figural representations are generally not allowed due to the belief in avoiding idolatry. Instead, Islamic art has historically emphasized calligraphy, particularly Arabic calligraphy, as a way to honor the divine word of God as delivered to the Prophet Muhammad. Calligraphy is highly revered because it represents Allah's word and is found in various forms of art and architecture, such as the interior of the Dome of the Rock and ornamented mosques. This reverence for the written word extends back to an oral tradition, where the recitation of poetry and the Qur'an played a major role in both religious and cultural life.
Quranic calligraphy has served as a substitute for figural arts in Islamic culture and provides a visual means to celebrate and reflect upon sacred texts. The earliest form of Arabic calligraphy, the Kufic script, showcases the importance of the artistic representation of the Qur'an. Moreover, the practice of calligraphy has led to the flourishing of a literary tradition, underlining the deep relationship between the preservation, study, and artistic representation of the Qur'an in Islamic culture.
Beyond the ornamental, the constant use of calligraphic inscriptions derived from the Qur'an stresses the value placed on language and its important role in Islamic religious and cultural practices. From everyday objects like ceramic bowls to grand architectural structures, calligraphy permeates Islamic art, serving as a constant reminder of the divine presence and the importance of the word of God.