Arba'un Hadithan [Forty Tradition]

Scope and Content

The pages of this book were produced in 16th century Safavid Iran and contain a collection of 40 Arabic hadith - sayings of the Prophet Muhammad - compiled and paraphrased into Persian verse by the celebrated Iranian poet and mystic Jami (1414-92). Composed in 86 AH (1481 CE), Jami's text belonged to a flourishing and widespread tradition of hadith compilations. This particular copy is calligraphed in an elegant nasta'liq script and illuminated throughout. Each page comprises a central panel of light-blue paper on which the text is written and a broad margin of scrolling blossoms rendered in gold paint. The book was provided in the first half of the 19th century with a fine lacquered cover painted with naturalistic flowers.

Access Information

Open

Acquisition Information

Donated in 1938 on behalf of the late Mr R. S.Greenshields.

Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements

H24.2x W15.2cm

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, please contact Archives & Special Collections, SOAS Library in the first instance

Geographical Names