Allo (Qur'an Board)

Known as allo (from the Arabic, al-lawh, tablet), Qur’an boards like this are used by Muslims in West Africa to practice writing down excerpts from the Qur’an. Usually washed off after each use, these boards resemble a slate and chalk in function. The wooden handle of the allo is covered in leather for easy handling as well as for decoration. The curve at the base of the board was to ensure that the allo rested comfortably on the waist or leg of its owner as he or she wrote. The text, inscribed in an angular script in dark-brown ink, is from Qur’an 74 (Al Muddaththir, “The One Wrapped Up”), verses 1-23.

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

1. O thou wrapped up

(In a mantle)

2. Arise and deliver thy warning!

3. And thy Lord

Do thou magnify!

4. And thy garments

Keep free from stain!

5. And all abomination shun!

6. Nor expect, in giving,

Any increase (for thyself)!

7. But, for thy Lord’s (Cause)

Be patient and constant!

8. Finally, when the Trumpet

Is sounded,

9. That will be—that Day—

A Day of Distress

10. Far from easy

For those without Faith

11. Leave Me alone, (to deal)

With the (creature) whom

I created (bare and) alone!—

12. To whom I granted

Resources in abundance,

13. And sons to be

By his side!—

14. To whom I made

(Life) smooth and comfortable!

15. Yet is he greedy—

That I should add

(Yet more)—

16. By no means!

For to Our Signs

He has been refractory!

17. Soon will I visit him

With a mount of calamities!

18. For he thought

And he plotted—

19. And woe to him!

How he plotted!—

20. Yea, woe to him;

How he plotted!—

21. Then he looked round;

22. Then he frowned

And he scowled;

23. Then he turned back

And was haughty;

(Trans. Yusuf Ali)