Hamza Shahid | Surah Ikhlas (112th Chapter of the Quran) - 2025

"Hamza Shahid is an emerging Canadian-Pakistani artist based in Toronto,Hamza Shahid is an emerging Canadian-Pakistani artist based in Toronto, specializing in Nastaliq calligraphy and embroidery works. After attending a calligraphy workshop once in high school, he took a keen interest in pursuing the art further. Taking inspiration from pietra dura (parchin-kari) work found in South Asian Islamic monuments, and the textile arts of the Subcontinent, he began to intertwine calligraphy and foliage into intricate embroidery pieces. Hamza was part of the Graphic Design team at Muslim.co between 2020-21, and was the host of a calligraphy workshop in January 2023 for McMaster MSA Al Qalam.d foliage into intricate embroidery pieces. Hamza was part of the Graphic Design team at Muslim.co between 2020-21, and was the host of a calligraphy workshop in January 2023 for McMaster MSA Al Qa"

Surah Ikhlas is one of the shortest verses of the Quran, and yet it is one of the most popular, one of the first we memorize as children. It is also
considered to be, according to Hadith, worth one-third of the Quran. For this reason, I wanted to commemorate Surah Ikhlas in a framed, embroidered piece, adorned by a variety of flowers, akin to the style of pietra dura foliage work. I chose a metallic gold thread for the calligraphy against a dark fabric, inspired by the embroidery of the Kabbah’s Kiswa (shroud). The variety of coloured flowers remind the viewer that the bounty of Paradise is unparalleled, endless, and infinite, and the gold of the calligraphy a reminder that these words are holy and perfect, as revealed to the Messenger of Allah (SAW).