This thought-provoking work of Islamic calligraphy by artist Sajid offers a deeply spiritual meditation on mortality and the transient nature of the world. The artwork illustrates a highly recognized verse from the Quran, Surah Ar-Rahman (55:26): “Kullu man ‘alayha fan” (كُلُّ مَنْ عَلَيْهَا فَانٍ), which translates to, “Everyone upon the earth will perish.”

Calligraphy and Composition Sajid employs a structured, multi-lingual layout to convey the verse’s weight. At the apex, the word كُلُّ (Kullu – “Everyone/Everything”) is rendered in a commanding, sweeping red script with soft green shadowing, immediately drawing the viewer’s eye. The rest of the Arabic verse flows beneath it in a vibrant, contrasting magenta. Below the Arabic, Sajid has included the Urdu translation in clear, elegant black script: “Har cheez jo zameen par hai fana ho jane wali hai.” Notably, the artist places special stylistic emphasis on the Urdu word فنا (Fana – to perish or fade away), rendering it in a distinct blue-black ink with a dynamic, upward-sweeping stroke that visually echoes the concept of the soul departing the earth.

Texture and Background The most visually distinct element of this piece is its meticulously crafted background. Rather than a flat wash of color, Sajid has built up a highly textured surface using hundreds of short, rectangular brushstrokes in earthy tones of brown, ochre, amber, and white. This technique gives the canvas the appearance of ancient brickwork, a mosaic, or roughly woven fabric. A beautiful vignette effect is achieved by concentrating the lightest, most glowing golden tones in the center directly behind the Arabic script, gradually darkening into deep, shadowy browns at the edges of the edges of the inner frame.

Spiritual Resonance Every visual choice in this piece serves the profound meaning of the text. The earthy, textured background acts as a literal representation of the “earth” (‘alayha) mentioned in the verse—solid, worldly, yet shadowed at its edges. The glowing center and the brightly colored, almost floating calligraphy represent the divine and undeniable truth of the verse standing in stark contrast to the physical world. The artwork is neatly contained by a delicate black border studded with white dots, encased within a final, warm golden frame, transforming a sobering spiritual truth into a captivating and beautiful object of contemplation.