Hilya Sharif Wall Art: The Noble Description of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Hilya Sharif Wall Art: Hilye-i Şerif Calligraphy on Tempered Glass
A Hilya Sharif (also written hilye or hilyah) is a calligraphy panel that describes the physical appearance and noble character of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Its text comes from the description narrated by Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA) and recorded in the Shama'il of Imam at-Tirmidhi. For many Muslim families, a hilya on the wall is a daily reminder of the Prophet's beauty and manners.
The panel form was set by the Ottoman calligrapher Hafiz Osman in the 17th century, and later masters kept its layout: the Basmala at the top, the description inside a central circle, the names of the four Rightly Guided Caliphs (Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali) in the corners, and the verse "And We have not sent you except as a mercy to the worlds" (Al-Anbiya 21:107) in the band below.
The parts of a hilya panel
| Part | What it holds |
|---|---|
| Top | The Basmala |
| Central circle | The description of the Prophet narrated by Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA) |
| Four corners | The names of Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali |
| Band below | Al-Anbiya 21:107, "And We have not sent you except as a mercy to the worlds" |
This collection gathers six hilya designs: two after Hafiz Osman, one each after Hasan Riza, Niyazi Efendi and Mahmud Celaleddin, and an Ahmed Kemal design. Each one is UV printed on tempered glass, which keeps the gold illumination and the fine lettering sharp. One Hafiz Osman reproduction keeps the worn areas of the original on purpose, to preserve its historical texture.
The six designs
| Design | Sizes |
|---|---|
| Hafiz Osman, design 1 | 35 x 50 or 50 x 70 cm |
| Hafiz Osman, design 2 | 35 x 50 or 50 x 70 cm |
| Hasan Riza | 35 x 50 or 50 x 70 cm |
| Niyazi Efendi | 35 x 50 or 55 x 70 cm |
| Mahmud Celaleddin | 35 x 50 or 50 x 70 cm |
| Ahmed Kemal | 35 x 50 or 50 x 70 cm |
All pieces hang vertically and come in two sizes: 13.8 x 19.7" (35 x 50 cm) and a larger 19.7 x 27.6" (50 x 70 cm), or 21.7 x 27.6" (55 x 70 cm) for the Niyazi Efendi design. They suit a living room, an entrance hall or a prayer corner, and make a meaningful gift for a new home, Mawlid, Ramadan or Eid.