Rare giant 500-year-old copy of Koran to be published online

Taken from The Daily Mail, 20/01/2011

A rarely-seen manuscript of one of the world's most important copies of the Koran is to be published online. The hand-written holy book, estimated to be around 500 years old, is so precious and fragile scholars have been unable to put it on display.

The hand-written copy of the Koran, with each page the size of a large plasma screen TV, is to be published online because it is too fragile to be put on display

The fragile 470-page book is kept by in the University of Manchester's John Rylands Library

Photographer Jamie Robinson leafs through the pages of the holy book, which is believed to have originated from Cairo from the library of Kansuh al-Ghuri, one of the last Mameluk sultans of Egypt

The book was written by several scribes some time between the second half of the 14th century to 1500

Experts at the library are using digital technology to photograph each page and publish the book online to enable scholars and students to study it

Now experts at the University of Manchester's John Rylands Library are using digital technology to photograph each page and publish the book online to enable scholars and students to study it.

Analysis of the digital images should aid scholars to date the manuscript more accurately.

It is believed to have originated from Cairo from the library of Kansuh al-Ghuri, one of the last Mamluk Sultans of Egypt.

Known as the Rylands Koran of Kansuh al-Ghuri, it has two missing pages, or leaves, which were discovered in the 1970s at the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin.

The missing pages will also be captured in digital images and reunited with the book on the internet.
At least 950 images will be captured - which will be between 80 and 120MB each - allowing their study in intricate detail.

It will eventually be freely available for research, teaching and learning using Turning the Pages technology on a dedicated website.

Project manager Carol Burrows, collection and research support manager at the John Rylands Library, said: 'Because of its size and weight, reading room access has been severely restricted to all but a handful of scholars. It cannot be used in exhibitions, seminars or public close-ups.

'It will certainly be challenging to photograph this enormous manuscript, as it is too large and heavy for the equipment we normally use.

'However, we have constructed dedicated equipment which will achieve this aim.'

Dr Andreas Christmann, senior lecturer in Islamic Studies at the University’s school of Arts, Histories and Cultures said: 'Although one of the biggest assets of the John Rylands Library, this Koran has not been available for either research or teaching because of its delicate state.

'We know it represents one of the finest, most lavishly illuminated and calligraphically significant Qur’an manuscripts from the late Mamluk period.

'Because of its time of writing  - 14th or 15th century – it  bridges the gap in chronicling Qur’anic calligraphy between the late classical period - 9th-12th century and the early modern period - 16th-18th century.
'By digitising  the entire manuscript and adding  the missing chapters it will produce an almost complete Qur’anic manuscript of magnificent size and splendid craftsmanship.

'I’m delighted scholars, including students of my class in Qur’anic Studies, will have free access to studying this text, which will provide a great stimulus for further research into Qur’anic calligraphy.'

The Koran was purchased by the library in 1900 as part of the Crawford collection of manuscripts, a collection of artefacts acquired by various Earls of Crawford.

The project has been funded by the Islamic Manuscript Association.


Other info
-----------
# Each of the 470 pages measures 35in by 24in, the size of a large plasma screen TV. # The ornate book was written by several scribes and illuminators for Kansuh al-Ghuri, the penultimate Mameluke sultan of Egypt.
# The paper it is written on was made from bombycine, a silken fabric which after sizing is polished with smooth stones so that the ink sits on the surface rather than being absorbed (similar in properties to vellum).
# Historians disagree on when it was written, with estimates ranging from the second half of the 14th century to 1500.

# It was kept in the sultan's library in Cairo and was eventually acquired by the Earl of Crawford.

# The Koran was one of several manuscripts which formed the Crawford Collection, artefacts acquired by various Earls of Crawford, which was bought by Enriqueta Rylands in 1900 and became part of her husband's library the John Rylands Library.

# The library eventually formed part of the University of Manchester in 1972 which is where it is now.

Rare Quran inscribed by Aurangzeb to be auctioned

Taken from Gulf News, By Samihah Zaman, Published: September 3, 2010

Abu Dhabi: A 300-year-old manuscript of the Quran, parts of which were inscribed by the son of the Mughal emperor who built the Taj Mahal, will soon be auctioned by its Emirati owner in Germany.


The 14.5x24cm manuscript has lavish golden insets and consists of sheets of paper, handcrafted from rice and natural materials, and inlaid with ruby, lapis lazuli and garnet.

The 14.5x24cm manuscript was part of the collection of the Mughal emperors of India, and was made during the rule of Emperor Aurangzeb (1658-1707), son of Emperor Shah Jahan who built the Taj Mahal.

It will be auctioned at the Auktionshaus Sebök (Seboek aution house) in the German city of Bamberg by its current Emirati owner, who wished to remain anonymous.

The manuscript has lavish golden insets and consists of sheets of paper, handcrafted from rice and natural materials. The script is written in ink made from valuable minerals, and it is inlaid with ruby, lapis lazuli and garnet.

Emperor Aurungzeb is known to have inscribed several passages of the manuscript himself, and he had reserved a special section of his palace for the artists who completed it.

Starting price

Stefan Sebök, an auctioneer at the auction house, told Gulf News that the starting price for the item has been set at 900 euros (Dh 4,221).

"The manuscript is extremely rare and was passed down to the last of the Mughal emperors by Emperor Aurangzeb. So we expect it to receive one of the highest bids at our art and antique auction in October," Sebök said.

Sebök also said that a comparable manuscript was sold to the Sultan of Brunei in 2006 for $10 million (Dh36.7 million), and a similar item went to an anonymous bidder for $4.3 million (Dh 15.781 million).

According to Sebök, the current owner of the manuscript acquired the ancient copy of the Quran from his great-grandfather. The owner's great-grandfather had been governor to Oudh, a northern region in India, and had served the Mughal dynasty.

Before the British Raj had dismissed the last Mughal emperor, the emperor had asked his loyal confidants to select gifts from his collection for themselves.

The great-grandfather of the current owner has personally selected the manuscript, and it has since been passed down through generations of the family.

Other interesting articles:

(1) Record price for 13th-century Quran

(2) 800-year-old key to the Kaaba

Hajj & Umrah mentioned in the Qur'an

Taken from freewebs.com/hajjlessons. (The website is very useful and has a vast amount of information on Hajj)

The Noble Qur'an

Al-Baqarah - 2:128
"Our Lord! And make us submissive unto You and of our offspring a nation submissive unto You, and show us our Manasik (all the ceremonies of pilgrimage - hajj and 'Umrah, etc.), and accept our repentance. Truly, You are the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.

Al-Baqarah - 2:158
Verily! As-Safa and Al-Marwah (two mountains in Makkah) are of the Symbols of Allah. So it is not a sin on him who perform hajj or 'Umrah (pilgrimage) of the House (the Ka'bah at Makkah) to perform the going (Tawaf) between them (As-Safa and Al-Marwah). And whoever does good voluntarily, then verily, Allah is All-Recogniser, All-Knower.

Al-Baqarah - 2:196
And perform properly (i.e. all the ceremonies according to the ways of Prophet Muhammad ), the hajj and 'Umrah (i.e. the pilgrimage to Makkah) for Allah. But if you are prevented (from completing them), sacrifice a Hady (animal, i.e. a sheep, a cow, or a camel, etc.) such as you can afford, and do not shave your heads until the Hady reaches the place of sacrifice. And whosoever of you is ill or has an ailment in his scalp (necessitating shaving), he must pay a Fidyah (ransom) of either observing Saum (fasts) (three days) or giving Sadaqah (charity - feeding six poor persons) or offering sacrifice (one sheep). Then if you are in safety and whosoever performs the 'Umrah in the months of hajj, before (performing) the hajj, (i.e. hajj-at-Tamattu' and Al-Qiran), he must slaughter a Hady such as he can afford, but if he cannot afford it, he should observe Saum (fasts) three days during the hajj and seven days after his return (to his home), making ten days in all. This is for him whose family is not present at Al-Masjid-al-Harâm (i.e. non-resident of Makkah). And fear Allah much and know that Allah is Severe in punishment. (Al-Baqarah 2:196)

Al-Baqarah - 2:197
The hajj (pilgrimage) is (in) the well-known (lunar year) months (i.e. the 10th month, the 11th month and the first ten days of the 12th month of the Islâmic calendar, i.e. two months and ten days). So whosoever intends to perform hajj therein by assuming Ihram), then he should not have sexual relations (with his wife), nor commit sin, nor dispute unjustly during the hajj. And whatever good you do, (be sure) Allah knows it. And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness, etc.). So fear Me, O men of understanding!

Aali Imran - 3:97
In it are manifest signs (for example), the Maqam (place) of Ibrahim (Abraham); whosoever enters it, he attains security. And hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka'bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses (for one's conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves [i.e. denies hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a disbeliever of Allah], then Allah stands not in need of any of the 'Alamin (mankind and jinns).

Al-Ma'idah - 5:1
O you who believe! Fulfill (your) obligations. Lawful to you (for food) are all the beasts of cattle except that which will be announced to you (herein), game (also) being unlawful when you assume Ihrâm for hajj or 'Umrah (pilgrimage). Verily, Allâh commands that which He wills.

Al-Ma'idah - 5:2
O you who believe! Violate not the sanctity of the Symbols of Allah, nor of the Sacred Month, nor of the animals brought for sacrifice, nor the garlanded people or animals, etc. [Marked by the garlands on their necks made from the outer part of the tree­stems (of Makkah) for their security], nor the people coming to the Sacred House (Makkah), seeking the bounty and good pleasure of their Lord. But when you finish the Ihram (of hajj or 'Umrah), you may hunt, and let not the hatred of some people in (once) stopping you from Al­Masjid­al­Haram (at Makkah) lead you to transgression (and hostility on your part). Help you one another in Al­Birr and At­Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment.

Al-Ma'idah - 5:95
O you who believe! Kill not game while you are in a state of Ihrâm for hajj or 'Umrah (pilgrimage), and whosoever of you kills it intentionally, the penalty is an offering, brought to the Ka'bah, of an eatable animal (i.e. sheep, goat, cow, etc.) equivalent to the one he killed, as adjudged by two just men among you; or, for expiation, he should feed Masakin (poor persons), or its equivalent in Saum (fasting), that he may taste the heaviness (punishment) of his deed. Allah has forgiven what is past, but whosoever commits it again, Allah will take retribution from him. And Allah is All­Mighty, All-Able of Retribution.

Al-Ma'idah - 5:96
Lawful to you is (the pursuit of) water­game and its use for food - for the benefit of yourselves and those who travel, but forbidden is (the pursuit of) land­game as long as you are in a state of Ihram (for hajj or 'Umrah). And fear Allah to Whom you shall be gathered back.

Al-Ma'idah - 5:97
Allah has made the Ka'bah, the Sacred House, an asylum of security and hajj and 'Umrah (pilgrimage) for mankind, and also the Sacred Month and the animals of offerings and the garlanded (people or animals, etc. marked with the garlands on their necks made from the outer part of the stem of the Makkah trees for their security), that you may know that Allah has knowledge of all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, and that Allah is the All­Knower of each and everything.

Al-Hajj - 22:25
Verily! Those who disbelieve and hinder (men) from the Path of Allah, and from Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah) which We have made (open) to (all) men, the dweller in it and the visitor from the country are equal there [as regards its sanctity and pilgrimage (hajj and 'Umrah)]. And whoever inclines to evil actions therein or to do wrong (i.e. practise polytheism and leave Islamic Monotheism), him We shall cause to taste a painful torment.

Al-Hajj - 22:27
And proclaim to mankind the hajj (pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform hajj.

Al-Hajj - 22:28
That they may witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e. reward of hajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade, etc.), and mention the Name of Allâh on appointed days (i.e. 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th day of Dhul-Hijjah), over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice) (at the time of their slaughtering by saying: Bismillah, Wallahu-Akbar, Allahumma Minka wa Ilaik). Then eat thereof and feed therewith the poor who have a very hard time. (Al-Hajj 22:28)

Al-Hajj - 22:29
Then let them complete the prescribed duties (Manasik of hajj) for them, and perform their vows, and circumambulate the Ancient House (the Ka'bah at Makkah).

Al-Hajj - 22:30
That (Manasik prescribed duties of hajj is the obligation that mankind owes to Allah), and whoever honours the sacred things of Allah, then that is better for him with his Lord. The cattle are lawful to you, except those (that will be) mentioned to you (as exceptions). So shun the abomination (worshipping) of idol, and shun lying speech (false statements).

Al-Hajj - 22:67
For every nation We have ordained religious ceremonies [e.g. slaughtering of the beast of cattle during the three days of stay at Mîna (Makkah) during the hajj (pilgrimage)] which they must follow; so let them (pagans) not dispute with you on the matter (i.e. to eat of the cattle which you slaughter, and not to eat of cattle which Allâh kills by its natural death), but invite them to your Lord. Verily! You (O Muhammad SAW) indeed are on the (true) straight guidance. (i.e. the true religion of Islamic Monotheism). (Al-Hajj 22:67)

Ash-Shu'ara - 26:218
Who sees you (O Muhammad SAW) when you stand up (alone at night for Tahajjud prayers).

Al-Munafiqun - 63:10
And spend (in charity) of that with which We have provided you, before death comes to one of you and he says: "My Lord! If only You would give me respite for a little while (i.e. return to the worldly life), then I should give Sadaqah (i.e. Zakat) of my wealth, and be among the righteous [i.e. perform hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah)].

Al-Muzzammil - 73:6
Verily, the rising by night (for Tahajjud prayer) is very hard and most potent and good for governing (the soul), and most suitable for (understanding) the Word (of Allah).

Some Ahadeeth regarding Hajj and Umrah

Taken from Silsilah Ahadeeth As-Saheehah of Shaykh Al-Albaani (Rahimullah)

1- 1527 - On the authority of Zaid bin Khalid al-Juhanee, on the authority of the Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam - who said:

‘Jibraeel came to me and said: O Muhammad! Order your Companions to raise their voices with the Talbeeyah (proclamation for Hajj or Umrah), since it is from the [characteristics- mark – sign – distinguishing features] of Hajj.’No. 830

2- 1528 - On the authority of Ibn Abbas in a narration ascribed to the Prophet: -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam:

‘Be continuous (in another narration: follow up) the Hajj and the Umrah since they negate poverty and sins, just as the furnace separates the slag from the iron.’No. 1185 & 1200

3- 1531 – On the authority of Ibn Abbas who said that the Messenger of Allaah - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam said:

‘If you stone the Jamaar (pillars) it will be like light for you on the Day of Judgement.’ No. 2515

4- 1533 – On the authority of ‘Aeysha in a narration ascribed to the Prophet: -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam:

‘When you have completed your Hajj then you should hasten your journey to your family, since it is greater in its reward.’No. 1379

5- 1536 – On the authority of Ibn Abbas: that the Quraish said: Indeed Muhammad and his Companions have been weakened by the fever of Yathrib (Madina). So when the Messenger of Allaah - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam came in the year that he performed Umrah he said to his Companions: ‘Walk briskly around the House (Ka’ba) so the Mushrikeen can see your strength.’

So when they walked briskly, the Quraish said: They have not weakened.’No. 2573

6- 1537 – The Messenger - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam said:

‘Stone the Jamarah with pebbles like that of chick peas.’No. 1437

Forgivness (as mentioned in Qur'an)

Forgivness (as mentioned in Qur'an)
Taken from qmt.org.au

Surah Al-Baqarah Ayah [109]
Many of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) wish that if they could turn you away as disbelievers after you have believed, out of envy from their ownselves, even, after the truth (that Muhammad Peace be upon him is Allah's Messenger) has become manifest unto them. But forgive and overlook, till Allah brings His Command. Verily, Allah is Able to do all things.

Surah An-Nisa Ayah [48]
Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He pleases, and whoever sets up partners with Allah in worship, he has indeed invented a tremendous sin.

Surah An-Nisa Ayah [110]
And whoever does evil or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks Allah's Forgiveness, he will find Allah Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Surah An-Nisa Ayah [116]
Verily! Allah forgives not (the sin of) setting up partners in worship with Him, but He forgives whom he pleases sins other than that, and whoever sets up partners in worship with Allah, has indeed strayed far away.

Surah Al-A'raf Ayah [198 - 199]
And if you call them to guidance, they hear not and you will see them looking at you, yet they see not.

Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the foolish (i.e. don't punish them).

Surah Az-Zumar Ayah [53]
Say: "O 'Ibadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Surah Ash-Shura Ayah [5]
Nearly the heavens might rent asunder from above them (by His Majesty), and the angels glorify the praises of their Lord, and ask for forgiveness for those on the earth, verily, Allah is the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.

Surah Ash-Shura Ayah [40 - 43]
The recompense for an evil is an evil like thereof, but whoever forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah. Verily, He likes not the Zalimun (oppressors, polytheists, and wrong-doers, etc.).

And indeed whosoever takes revenge after he has suffered wrong, for such there is no way (of blame) against them.

The way (of blame) is only against those who oppress men and wrongly rebel in the earth, for such there will be a painful torment.

And verily, whosoever shows patience and forgives that would truly be from the things recommended by Allah.

Surah Al-Jathiyah Ayah [14]
Say (O Muhammad) to the believers to forgive those who (harm them and) hope not for the Days of Allah (i.e. His Recompense), that He may recompense people according to what they have earned (i.e. to punish these disbelievers, who harm the believers).

Surah An-Najm Ayah [32]
Those who avoid great sins (see the Qur'an, Verses: 6:152,153) and Al-Fawahish (illegal sexual intercourse, etc.) except the small faults, verily, your Lord is of vast forgiveness. He knows you well when He created you from the earth (Adam), and when you were fetuses in your mothers' wombs. So ascribe not purity to yourselves. He knows best him who fears Allah and keep his duty to Him [i.e. those who are Al-Muttaqun (pious - see V.2:2)].

Surah Al-Hadid Ayah [21]
Race one with another in hastening towards Forgiveness from your Lord (Allah), and towards Paradise, the width whereof is as the width of heaven and earth, prepared for those who believe in Allah and His Messengers. That is the Grace of Allah which He bestows on whom He pleases. And Allah is the Owner of Great Bounty.

Record price for 13th-century Quran

Record price for 13th-century Quran
By Associated Press, Wed Oct 24, 2007
(Thanks to Bodrul Ali for highlighting this newspiece)

LONDON - A Quran written in 1203, believed to be the oldest known complete copy, has sold for more than $2.3 million at an auction.

The holy book, which had been estimated to sell for up to $715,000, fetched $2,327,300 at Tuesday's auction in London, Christie's said.


That was a record auction price for a Quran or any type of Islamic manuscript, the auctioneer Christie's said.

A nearly complete, 10th-century Kufic Quran, thought to be from North Africa or the near East, sold $1,870,000. Both were offered for sale by the Hispanic Society of America, and were purchased by trade buyers in London, Christie's said.

The record-setting Quran was signed by Yahya bin Muhammad ibn 'Umar, dated 17 Ramadan 599 (June 1203).

It was acquired in Cairo in 1905 by Archer Milton Huntington, who founded the Hispanic Society in New York City in 1904. Huntington, the adopted son of railroad and ship-building magnate Collis P. Huntington, died in 1955.

The calligraphy in the manuscript was done in gold outlined in thin black lines, and the marginal notes are in silver outlined in red. The kufic Quran bridges a gap between the earlier style, copied on parchment of horizontal format, and the later style of vertical composition, often on paper, Christie's catalog said. The kufic script takes its name from Kufah in Iraq, an early center of Islamic scholarship, according to the British Library. Because the script's vertical strokes were very short but the horizontal strokes elongated, it was written on papers in a landscape format.
---------------------------------------------------------------

Interesting Readings:

1. Pictures of Qur'ans - King Fahd Complex for The Printing of Holy Quran, Saudi Arabia
(This is a very useful website for research and gaining knowledge)

2. Pictures of another Gold Qur'an - The Johns Hopkins University - The Sheridan Libraries website

3. SULTAN BAYBARS' MAGNIFICENT QUR'AN (about 704 - 705 AH) - digitally available from the British Library)

4. Sultan of Brunei in row over £4m gold Koran - Telegraph, UK, 20.08.07

5. Did you know that David Khalili, a Jew from Iran has the largest collection of Islamic artifacts? Here is some some details about David Khalili: the art newspaper, forbes.com.

You can have a peek at this collection at his website http://www.khalili.org/

6. For those in the UK - why not visit the British Museum Islamic Collection? Here's a link to some of thier collection britishmuseum.org and discoverislamicart.org

7. islamicarchitecture.org is also a good website for Islamic art and architecture. It also has a good list of useful links.

For those outside the UK, islamicart.com has a small directory of useful Museums - why not pay them a visit and find out more about Islamic art? It is unfortunate to note today that looting in occupied Iraq and Afganistan has deprived us of a wealth of artifacts, maybe someday these items will end up at auction in Christie's or Sotherby's!