There are some languages in the world that, when written in a certain style, look highly decorative. Alongside Chinese and Japanese scripts, one language that stands out in its calligraphic form is Arabic, especially when inscribed or painted in a beautiful colour such as green or gold.
Although calligraphy existed in Arabia before Islam, on a much smaller scale, the revelation of the Qur’an plus the invention of paper shortly after meant that scribes could practice their calligraphy on a cheaper medium, unlike parchment and papyrus, which were expensive, and they could also spiritually benefit from this. Certain verses in the Qur'an, such as “Ayat Al-Kursi, Surah Mulk” or “The Verse of the Throne,” can ward off evil, and this, among other verses and words, became the central focus of Muslim calligraphers during the Islamic Empire and even today.
Another focus of calligraphers during the Islamic Golden Age was the 99 names of Allah. Since Muslims are forbidden to depict God as the human mind cannot comprehend Him, Muslims use the 99 names of Allah to know His attributes. Some of the names of Allah include “The Most Merciful” and “The Most Gracious," and these names in their Arabic form are used to decorate mosques and ornamental objects.
Without understanding the meaning but falling in love with the design, Europeans tried to imitate Arabic calligraphy, either known to them through trade or from souvenirs brought back by pilgrims to the Holy Land. Interestingly enough, a cross dating back to the 9th century found in Ireland bears the Arabic inscription “Basmallah” (Bismillah), meaning “In the name of Allah.”