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Arabic Script: Mightier than the Sword

Tombstone of Fatima

This carved limestone tombstone commemorates Fatima, daughter of Ja'far, daughter of Muhammad al-Sabbagh. She died in the month of Jumada II in the year 412 of the Islamic era (September-October AD 1021). The inscription starts with the basmala and continues with chapter 112 of the Qur'an (called surat al-ikhlas, 'Purity of Faith'). God's blessings are called on the Prophet Muhammad and his family, then the deceased's name and date of death are given. The script is in the angular Kufic style but with flourishes at the ends of the letters characteristic of monumental scripts of this period.

Muslim graves are usually marked by upright stone slabs - one at the head, the other at the foot of the grave - despite orthodox disapproval of honouring the dead. Inscriptions on tombstones usually recorded the name of the deceased and indicated their faith. The increasing worship of the Prophet's family at this time is significant. The piety of women is also notable and many of the tombstones recovered from Aswan are those of females.