A verse on a wall is hung where it is honoured: at eye level or above, in a majlis, living room, study or entrance, never in a bathroom or near the floor. Within those bounds, people choose for each room a verse that suits what happens in it. These are the verses most often hung in UAE homes, with their surahs and numbers, and the courtesies of hanging them.
The entrance
- «بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم», In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful (al-Fatiha 1, and within an-Naml 30): the first words read, and the most fitting welcome.
- «ادخلوها بسلام آمنين», Enter it in peace, secure (al-Hijr 46): a description of the people of Paradise that families hang over a door as a welcome.
- «ما شاء الله لا قوة إلا بالله», What God wills; there is no power except in God (al-Kahf 39): said by the righteous man to his companion on entering his garden, and so said on entering a home and seeing its blessings.
The majlis and living room
- Ayat al-Kursi (al-Baqarah 255), opening «الله لا إله إلا هو الحي القيوم»: the greatest verse in the Book of God according to an authentic hadith, and the one most often hung in a majlis.
- «هذا من فضل ربي», This is by the grace of my Lord (an-Naml 40): gratitude for what the home holds, often hung in a new home.
- «فإن مع العسر يسرا * إن مع العسر يسرا», For with hardship comes ease; with hardship comes ease (ash-Sharh 5–6): a promise read every day.
The study
- «وقل رب زدني علما», And say: my Lord, increase me in knowledge (Taha 114): the one thing the Prophet ﷺ was told to ask more of.
- «فاذكروني أذكركم», So remember Me; I will remember you (al-Baqarah 152): for a place of long work.
A couple's room
- «وجعل بينكم مودة ورحمة», And He placed between you affection and mercy (ar-Rum 21): among the verses most often given to newlyweds.
How to hang a verse
- In an honoured place, at eye level or above; never in a bathroom or near the floor, nor where it will get dirty.
- Not behind something that hides it or in a neglected corner: it is hung to be read, not forgotten.
- Acrylic glass over the paint protects it from dust and hands, and is worth adding near a kitchen.
- If a piece is ever damaged, it is not thrown away with the rubbish; it is treated as pages of the Qur'an are.
- Scholars differ on hanging verses as decoration, some permitting it and some disliking it; those who permit it require that the verse be kept and honoured, and that is how we write them.
We check the text of the verse with you before printing, letter by letter.
Three paints with verses
- «الله لا إله إلا هو الحي القيوم» in Diwani: from AED 60.
- «وقل رب زدني علما» in Diwani: from AED 60.
- «إن مع العسر يسرا» in Diwani: from AED 60.
For a verse in a calligrapher's own hand, signed: the originals, among them «فاذكروني أذكركم» by Anwar Alhulwani from AED 550. If the verse you want is not here, write it in Mashq Studio, free, in the script you choose, and order it as a paint.
Making and delivery
Paints are made to order in our UAE workshop in 5–7 working days; delivery anywhere in the UAE is AED 50 per order.
Related reading: 43 Arabic Phrases for Wall Art, With Their Meanings · How to Choose the Size of an Arabic Calligraphy Painting.