Abu Ali Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Muqla, commonly known as Ibn Muqla, was a significant figure in the history of Islamic calligraphy and bureaucracy. Born in Baghdad around 886 CE, he served as a vizier under the Abbasid Caliphate and made profound contributions to the art of writing.
Ibn Muqla's career was marked by his service under multiple caliphs. Initially, he worked as a scribe, but his talent and intellect quickly elevated him to the position of vizier, where he played a crucial role in administrative reforms. His career saw several ups and downs, including periods of imprisonment due to political intrigues.
His influence extended beyond his lifetime. The principles he established in calligraphy were later refined by his student Ibn al-Bawwab and further by Yaqut al-Musta'simi, who expanded on the geometric proportions to create even more sophisticated scripts. Ibn Muqla's work not only shaped the aesthetic of Arabic writing but also had a lasting impact on its practical use in administration and the arts.