Here's why this is significant:
* Ancient Origins: Al-Musnad predates the standardized Kufic script, which is often considered the "classical" Arabic script.
* Connection to South Arabian Scripts: Al-Musnad bears a strong resemblance to ancient South Arabian scripts like Sabaic and Himyarite, indicating a common ancestry.
* Evolution of Arabic: The development of Al-Musnad into later Arabic scripts highlights the gradual evolution of the writing system.
It's important to note that while Al-Musnad is considered the earliest, there were likely other scripts used in the pre-Islamic period. However, Al-Musnad is the most well-documented and studied, providing valuable insight into the origins of Arabic writing.