In an age dominated by technology, the art of hand-copying the Holy Qur’an still holds a sacred and timeless beauty. Retired Saudi teacher Khaled Al-Zahrani has proven this by fulfilling a dream he had nurtured since his university days — carefully transcribing the entire Qur’an by hand using his own Arabic calligraphy.
Al-Zahrani, now nearly 60, spent decades cultivating his passion for the traditional scripts of naskh and ruq’ah. Despite his devotion, the rigors of work life postponed his ambition until retirement granted him the time and focus he needed. His journey began when a friend introduced him to the Qur’an by Hand initiative, which offers blank Qur’anic manuscripts for personal transcription. Inspired, he purchased two copies and embarked on his mission.
Speaking to Arab News, Al-Zahrani shared that hand-copying the Holy Qur’an was both a demanding and humbling endeavor. The process demanded meticulous attention to every letter and word, leaving no room for error. He transcribed two to two-and-a-half pages daily, ensuring every letter was perfectly placed. His tools were modest — a half-millimeter pen, a fine needle for corrections, and an immense supply of patience and dedication.
Testing his ability, he first copied Surah Al-Zalzalah. Buoyed by success, he confronted the monumental task of Surah Al-Baqarah, feeling both awe and determination. To maintain unwavering concentration, Al-Zahrani secluded himself at home for six months, avoiding all distractions. This isolation allowed him to immerse himself fully in the sacred act of hand-copying the Holy Qur’an.
His project remained private until a family member recorded a video of him writing, which soon went viral on social media. Despite widespread media interest, Al-Zahrani delayed public appearances, choosing instead to focus solely on completing his sacred task before engaging with the outside world.
For Al-Zahrani, this was more than an artistic project — it was a profound spiritual journey. He described feeling a deep, living connection with every verse he wrote, each letter resonating deeply within his soul. The discipline of transcribing the Qur’an taught him lessons in patience, perseverance, and spiritual devotion, marking it as one of the most meaningful experiences of his life.
Al-Zahrani hopes his experience will inspire younger generations to appreciate Arabic calligraphy not merely as an art form, but as a means of deepening their relationship with the Qur’an. Through hand-copying the Holy Qur’an, he bridged tradition and faith, proving that even in a modern world, ancient practices can still bring profound fulfillment.
Today, Khaled Al-Zahrani stands as a beacon of patience, perseverance, and faith — a reminder that with sincere determination, even long-deferred dreams can be realized, regardless of age.
