are anthropomorphic and zoomorphic calligrams. Islamic calligraphy forms evolved, especially in the Ottoman period, to fulfill a function similar to figurative art. When on paper, Islamic calligraphy is often seen with elaborate frames of Ottoman illumination. Examples of Islamic calligraphy using this technique include the name of Muhammad, the Hilya (a tablet that embodies the description of Muhammad’s physical appearance), multiple names of God in Islam, and the tughra (a calligraphic version of the name of an Ottoman sultan). Scriptural basis Hadith and exegesis examples During its early days, aniconism in Islam was intended as a measure against idolatry, particularly against the statues worshipped by pagans. In several hadith Muhammad encountered pictures of animate objects or dolls and expressed his disapproval, sometimes commenting on the punishment in hellfire awaiting those who created the objects. All hadith presented in this section are Sunni, not Shia. To show the superiority of the monotheist faith, Muhammad smashed the idols at the Kaaba. He also removed paintings that were blasphemous to Islam, while protecting others (the images of Mary and Jesus) inside the building. The hadith below emphasizes that aniconism depends not only on what, but also on how things are depicted. Although pagans in Muhammad's times also worshiped trees and stones, Muhammad opposed only images of animated beings — humans and animals —, as reported by the hadith. Subsequently, geometrical ornamentation became a sophisticated art form in Islam. Muhammad also warned his followers of dying amongst people that built places of worship at graves and placed pictures in it (i.e. Christians). Muhammad made it very clear that angels do not like pictures. See also Aniconism in Christianity Aniconism in Judaism Arabic miniature Censorship by religion Censorship in Islamic societies Criticism of Twelver Shia Islam#Image veneration Destruction of cultural heritage by ISIL Destruction of early Islamic heritage sites in Saudi Arabia Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy Taghut Notes References General Jack Goody, Representations and Contradictions: Ambivalence Towards Images, Theatre, Fiction, Relics and Sexuality, London, Blackwell Publishers, 1997. . Islam Oleg Grabar, "Postscriptum", The Formation of Islamic Art, Yale University, 1987 (p209). Terry Allen, "Aniconism and Figural Representation in Islamic Art", Five Essays on Islamic Art, Occidental (CA), Solipsist, 1988. Aniconism and Figural Representation in Islamic Art, by Terry Allen Gilbert Beaugé & Jean-François Clément, L'image dans le monde arabe [The image in the Arab world], Paris, CNRS Éditions, 1995, Rudi Paret, Das islamische Bilderverbot und