During the establishment of the First Saudi State, the people of Najd used pens to write the manuscripts in which they documented their sciences and knowledge. During that time, the name given to the pen was Qalam. However, the people of Najd used other names and attributes thereto, such as al-Oud, al-Yaraa, and al-Yara. These names and attributes were mentioned while talking. They also figured in their literary works, namely in Nabatean poetry, where al-oud was mentioned in the poem written by Ibrahim al-Souaigh:
Wa Ibr Ras al-Oud Hata Amali Aalayk (Sharpen the tip of the oud (stick) until I tell you what to write.)
Li Buyout Lal-Jawaher Zahiyat. (I have houses like bright jewels.)
The names al-Oud and al-Yaraa are sometimes combined, producing the name "Oud al-Yaraa," as used by Ibn Dawas:
Danou Dawat al-Hibr Wadnou Lana Sak (Bring close the ink bottle and bring us a pen.)
Oud al-Yaraa bi-Shazrat al-Maws Mashlouk. (Oud al-Yaraa pen, with a fragment of sharp music, is torn.)
The name al-Yaraa was mentioned in the Nabatean poetry of the people of Najd, such as the poetry of Jabr Bin Sayar:
Hala bi -Kitab Kad Lafani Mousarah (Welcome to the book that has wrapped around me)
Wa-Man Khatta bi Aklami al-Yaraa Mathayilouh. (And to the writing with the pens of al-Yaraa, its lines are like mine.)
In terms of making, pens are divided into two types, the first being solid pens, made of solid wood, such as the wood of tamarisk, pomegranate, and fire bush, among other similar types of wood. In this respect, the wood is flattened and polished with either of its ends sharpened to take the form of a pencil. The second type refers to hollow (carved pens) that are formed of hollow wooden sticks that take the form of pipes, such as the stems of the safflower plant, local corn plants, or common reeds acquired from al-Ahsa. This form of pen is made by cutting either end diagonally, ultimately taking the form of a fountain pen.
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