ABSTRACT
Koran See Qur'ān. al-Kūfa Major city of the Islamic Middle Ages in Iraq, ranking in importance with al-Basra (q.v.). The origins of the word 'Kūfa' are obscure. The city was founded in 17/638 and functioned as a military citadel, frequently being involved in the politics of the day. Like al-Basra, al-Kūfa was important for the development of Islamic and Arab culture as well. Theologically it is of interest in the way that it served as a host for Shī'ite belief and thought. One of the most important early episodes in the history of al-Kūfa was the pro-Shī'ite revolt of al-Mukhtār in 667/685-6. From the point of view of Islamic art it may be noted that al-Kūfa gave its name to Kūfic script, a monumental style used in both mosque decoration and the writing of early copies of the Qur'ān. It is regarded as the oldest style of writing in Arabic in the post-Muhammad age. Modern Kūfa is a thriving agricultural city, full of date groves, through which the main branch of the River Euphrates runs. It is very near the sacred city of al-Najaf (q.v.). Kūfa still contains the Mosque of 'Alī b. Abī Tālib (q.v.) where the latter was assassinated, and this is the focus of pious visits. (See Hanafīs; Shī'ism.) Kūfic Script See al-Kūfa.
