Master of Adab about Art of Writing: Preface to Publication of Translation of Abu Hayyan al-Tawhidi’s Manuscript “An Epistle on Penmanship”

There is given a short review of the most important biographical information about Abū Ḥayyān al-Tawḥīdi (d. ca. 1023), an outstanding representative Adab literature. Amongst his creative heritage it emphasized importance «Epistle (on Penmanship)». The conclusion made that style served in best way author’s intention. He was first one who succeeded to exhaustively summarize primary (defining) stage Arabic script formation, clearly formulate technique for preparing qalam . “Epistle” written simple manner, though not devoid traditional elegance and eclecticism. Anticipating further development multiple types proportional referring existent schools, formulates common additional principles (apart from proportions), that, according him, would constitute their aesthetics future. In second part there are classic sayings teachings, became commonplace, regarding this type art. Al-Tawḥīdi goes beyond contemporaries authors inner tradition. gives full scope then existing knowledge discourse object. These data can be divided into rubrics depending on subject genre. many them we trace author's desire zealously protect Arab cultural heritage. It concluded strived take out convey main information, rules techniques previous era styles so they lost or significantly changed. writing contains numerous terms related preparation tools process itself, which may again become relevant modern science calligraphy.