Hijazi Style, Umayyad Style, Abbasid Style; An attempt to accurately analyze the Kufic script

This article attempts to examine Francois Deroche’s views on the “Kufic script” and the manuscripts (Qurans) written in this script, in order to demonstrate that he has succeeded to solve the problem that has always existed in the usage of the term. Since the late eighteenth century when the term “Kufic script” was utilized to describe the writing system of early Qurans, the term has been extensively applied in this case. The generic use of this term led to the ignorance of distinguishing characteristics which are present in the script system of Qurans transcribed over a wide period of time and space. This has been criticized by the researchers in paleography and they have emphasized the inaccuracy of the term. Among them, Francois Deroche has focused mainly on the analysis of early Qurans and according the inaccuracy of the term “Kufic scrip” has attempted to categorize these Qurans according to the typology of the script in order to explain the date of transcription and specific features of each manuscript. He has introduced three other terms: Hijazi style, Umayyad style, and Abbasid style instead of “Kufic script”, according to different steps of development and  change in this script. Therefore, he could draw a clear and innovative picture of the temporal-formal developments in early manuscripts of Quran. This paper aims to explain Francois Deroche’s views in the typology and stylistics of early Qurans and in resolving the disputes in this field, based on the study of his works and a look at what other researchers have raised. This will demonstrate the benefits of his studies in analyzing “Kufic script”. It is also discussed that despite the importance of his studies in this field, they have been generally overlooked in Persian researches into the early Qurans.