This volume contains the Kâbenâme, a mesnevi originally written by Gubari in 963 AH (1555-56 CE) that provides information on the Kâbe and on the Hajj. The text narrates that first construction of the Kâbe as well as the subsequent restorations and additions made to it, with a particular focus on the repairs conducted during the time of Kanunî Süleyman. The poem explains some of the evkâf and other charitable works established by Ottoman authorities in the Haram-i Şerif. Several beyitler on the life and work of Gubari can also be found within the work. The poet's name was originally Abdurrahman İbn-i Abdullah and he was from Akşehir, taking the mahlas Gubarî from the Arabic word for dust. He moved from Akşehir to Istanbul, where he studied under Kınalızâde Ali and Müslim Çelebi. After the Ottoman conquest of Iraq in 1534 CE, he became an Imperial scribe. He joined a Nakşibendî order soon after and became a disciple of Şeyh Abdüllatif Efendi. He went on the Hajj in 1537 CE, after which he wrote the Kâbenâme. He later returned to Kütahya and joined the service of Şehzade Bayezit, acting as the teacher (hoca) of his son Orhan Çelebi. After Bayezit's defeat by his brother Selim and Bayezit's subsequent exile to Iran, Gubari was taken prisoner in Yenihisar, but was soon released. In 1562 CE, he assumed the Kadılık of Mahmil and returned to Makkah, where he lived until his death in 974 AH (1566 CE). His grave is found in Etbah in the Jannat al-Mu'alla district. The text is heavily illustrated, featuring illustrations of the Kâbe, coloured in grey, in various states of construction and repair. These are scattered throughout the volume. Five thematic drawings between ff 37r-39r illustrate the creation of the Earth and its elaboration. These take the form of three circles in navy, gray and deep yellow in various arrangements on ff 37r-38r, and two bands in red, yellow and navy showing various erratic lines (f 38v) and in yellow and black featuring branches and leaves (f 39r). A further series of illustrations in red, navy, yellow, brown and black inks showing places of interest in Mekke, Medine and Jerusalem can be found throughout the text. These include: the Musalla of Ibrahim (f 90v); the Bab-ı Kâbe (f 91v); the birthplace of Hazret Ali (f 93v); a collection of mosques (f 94r); the gutters of the Kâbe (mizab) (f 95v); The Tomb of the Prophet (in Medine?) (ff 110v-111r); and the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem (f 118v). Three separate inscriptions are found on f 2r. Two are ownership inscriptions, and the third is an aphorism in Arabic reading:. ''The wishes of 3 types of people are not accepted: A man who is not divorced from his wife despite he knows she behaves immorally; A man who hands his money to an idiot; A man who owe someone money but doesn't pay him back/accept his debt''. A single unvan is found on f 2v. This copy was likely produced in the early 18th century CE.
Kaabename - كعبه نامه.
This material is held atBritish Library Asia, Pacific and Africa Collections
- Reference
- GB 59 Or 6983
- Dates of Creation
- Early 18th century
- Language of Material
- Arabic Turkish
- Physical Description
- 1 text 120 ff Materials : Paper. Foliation : European, 120 ff. Dimensions : 213 mm x 143 mm. Ruling : Red-ruled text boxes with most text divided into two columns. Script : Nastaliq. Ink : Main text in black ink, with headers and catchwords in red ink; illustrations in red, navy blue, deep yellow, brown and black inks.