Saadiyah Wazeer | The Na’layn Series; Rumi Pattern

Saadiyah Halima
Visual Artist | Islamic Calligraphy | Stained Glass Specialist
Saadiyah Halima is a Chennai-born visual artist with over 28 years of experience specializing in Islamic calligraphy and stained glass techniques. She holds both a Bachelor's and Master’s degree in Fine Arts from Stella Maris College, University of Madras, India.

Her artistic journey began during her high school years, driven by a deep appreciation for fine arts. Upon completing her undergraduate studies, she found her calling in stained glass—an expressive medium that allowed her to explore the spiritual and visual depth of Islamic art in innovative ways. Deeply inspired by the beauty of Quranic verses and the sacred geometry embedded in Islamic design, her work reflects a unique synthesis of tradition and personal devotion.
Saadiyah’s stained glass pieces are notable for their meticulous craftsmanship and vibrant color palettes. Using colored glass of varying textures, she creates compositions that integrate Arabic calligraphy with contemporary aesthetics.

Her works have been exhibited in cultural centers and galleries across India (Chennai and Bangalore), Mauritius, and Toronto, Canada. She has held ten solo exhibitions in these locations, gaining recognition for her distinctive style and technique. Over the past two decades, her work has reached a global audience, with commissioned pieces collected by clients in Singapore, the United States, Australia, Dubai, Germany, London, and Toronto.

This stained glass piece is part of the Na’layn series, inspired by the concept of Ittiba—the loving emulation of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. At its center is the symbolic outline of the Na’layn, representing a reminder to walk in his blessed footsteps. The design features the
traditional Rumi pattern, a motif rooted in Islamic and Turkish art, often seen in tezhip (illumination) and calligraphy. Its flowing symmetry and interconnected forms express harmony and spiritual beauty. To realize this vision, I used rich dark blue antique glass contrasted with luminous white glass that has a subtle mother-of-pearl effect. This combination enhances the elegance of the Rumi motif, allowing light to interact with the surface in a contemplative way.
This piece honors prophetic legacy and Islamic artistic heritage, while inviting reflection on the path of spiritual guidance embodied in the concept of Ittiba.