Diwan of Qasim al-Anwar

Diwan (collection of poems) of Qasim al-Anwar.

Beautifully illuminated copy, borders in blue and gold. Mention is made of Abu'l-Muzaffar Sultan Husain Bahadur Khan. Copied by Pir 'Ali Jami, but no date or place of writing given.

Qasim al-Anwar (AH757/Ad1356- AH837/AD1433), real name Mu'in al-Din 'Ali Husayni Sarabi Tabrizi, mystic Sufi poet. He was given the name Qasim al Anwar, meaning 'Distributor of Lights', by his Sufi master after a vision he had of himself standing in the mosque holding a giant candle, from which memebrs of the congregation lit their own candles, eventually illuminating the whole mosque. He trained as a mystic with Sadr al-Din Musa, and then became a missionary, eventually settling in Herat until he was expelled by the ruler Shahrukh in 1426, probably because he had been too successful in attracting disciples. He took refuge at the court of Shahrukh's son in Samarkand. He wrote mystical treatises, and a collection of poems including ghazals.

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Tweedie Collection, catalogued by DM Dunlop.

Call number used to be msPK6529.Q2

Individual Manuscripts and Small Collections database available as part of Manuscripts Database.

Description compiled by Maia Sheridan, Archives Hub project archivist, based on material from the Manuscripts Database

Applications for permission to quote should be sent to the Keeper of Manuscripts. Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational use and condition of documents.

A note in Persian says that the Diwan was presented to Colonel William Tweedie by a Muslim friend in AH1300/AD1882 in Baghdad.