Arba'un Hadithan [Forty Tradition]

This material is held atSchool of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) Archives, University of London

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