Dedication of Exquisite Qur’anic Manuscripts to Central Library of Astan Quds Razavi

A precious collection of exquisite Qur’anic manuscripts belonging to the ninth to the fourteenth centuries of hijrah was dedicated to Central Library of Astan Quds Razavi.

Director of Handwritten Manuscripts of Organization of Libraries, Museums, and Center of Deeds of Astan Quds Razavi said, “12 exquisite handwritten Qur’anic manuscripts were absorbed to the central library of Astan Quds Razavi by Muhammad Shah Muhammadi, two of which were donations by him and ten were purchased from him.”

“These manuscripts belonging to the 9th century of hijrah are written in Naskh scripts on Samarqandi russet sheets of nine lines each, decorated with gilded inscription and sheet tabulation. The spaces between the verses are filled by golden star-shaped flowers; the covers are jujube red inlaid calfskin with bergamot and bergamot head”, Seyed Muhammad Reza Fazel Hashemi said.

Referring to the act of endowing some other Qur’anic manuscripts, he said, “12 half part of Qur’an manuscripts by Reza Quli Khan Serij al-Mulk have been endowed to the central library of Astan Quds Razavi that are precious kinds of manuscript.”

“Scribing of these manuscripts has occurred earlier than 1303 A.H. and each half part includes 10 Isfahani Cashmere sheets of 11 lines bearing well-Arabicized Naskh scripts; between the verses there are star-shaped gilded circles”, he continued.

Referring to purchase of 2 handwritten Qur’anic manuscripts, director of Handwritten Manuscripts of Organization of Libraries, Museums, and Center of Deeds of Astan Quds Razavi said, “A Qur’anic manuscript scribed by Muhammad bin Ahmad Khansari in 1309 A.H. that has been bound in Muraqqa style possesses 23 sections decorated by the inscription and gilded headlines; between verses, golden circles are inserted. The cardboard cover has the cloud and wind pattern designed in colorful flowers and leaves.”

“Containing as much as 20000 volumes of Qur’anic manuscripts, treasury of handwritten Qur’anic manuscripts is considered as the most singular treasury of Qur’an in the Islamic world”, he added.

“In treasury of handwritten Qur’anic manuscripts of Astan Quds Razavi with more than 100 Qur’ans including those attributed to the Ahl al-Bayt (A.S.) scribed in the first to the third centuries of hijrah on deer skin are being preserved that is peerless in the world”, director of Handwritten Manuscripts of Organization of Libraries, Museums, and Center of Deeds of Astan Quds Razavi remarked.

It is notable that with respect to its spirituality, public thrust, and applying scientific and careful method of preservation, treasury of handwritten Qur’anic manuscripts of Astan Quds Razavi is receiving daily many holy handwritten manuscripts or historical documents that after being recorded and indexed are available to the enthusiastic.

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