Reading Islamic Texts

@islamtexts.bsky.social

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Islamic studies researcher ⚡ Sharing beautiful & fascinating Islamic art, thought and history. ✨ Original translations of Classical Arabic https://www.readingislamictexts.com #islam #quran #hadith #sufi #arabic #calligraphy #art #manuscript #islamic

Two lines in thick brown maghrebi script with gold vowel markers from the ‘Pink Qur’an’, made in 13th century Spain and sold at auction at Christie’s in April 2024: https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-6476496 أَجَلُهُمْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِعِبَادِهِۦ بَصِيرًۢا
‎ربما تجزع النفوس من الامر ‎له فرجه كحل العقال
Verse 27:75 written in Eastern Kufic script, in a Qur'an made in the 11th century, probably in Iran (Smithsonian F2001.16a-b ). وَمَا مِنْ غَآئِبَةٍۢ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا فِى كِتَـٰبٍۢ مُّبِينٍ
Detail from a scene from a 16th-century copy of the Book of Kings, made in Iran (S1986.271), showing the Khaqan's daughter arriving at Nushirwan's palace.
A line of bold, blue Arabic in thuluth script, from a manuscript pairing Arabic sayings with Persian commentary, made in 18th-century Iran (LoC 2017406683).
The word 'al-rahman' in Arabic, in a Kufic family script, from a Qur'an manuscript made in the 10th century, probably in Iran (F1932.55) ٱلرَّحْمَانِ
Line of Arabic in Muhaqqaq script, from a Qur'an manuscript made in 15th-century Shiraz (CBL Is 1502): وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
Circular illumination pattern with gold, red blue and green floral patterns around a gold center, in a 16th century Persian manuscript (Walters W.624)
Qur'an 94:5-6 in maghribi script, from a Qur'an manuscript made in the 13th century, possibly in Morocco (Detroit Institute of Arts): فَإِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا إِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًۭا
Manuscript image of the first page of Bustan al-‘Arifin
A couple in bed, under an elaborately decorated wall and arch. (Khalili MSS 1030, folio 516)
Geometric composition based on gold and blue illumination from a 15th century Persian manuscript. (Met 13.228.4)
Black, gold and pearl-colored geometric and floral patterns, based on 17th century engraved patterns from an accessory made in 17th-century India. (Met 1996.3a, b)
Geometric composition of a series of six-petaled flower shapes withing a six-pointed star shape, made from part of the cover decoration for a 16th century copy of 'Attar's Mantiq al-Tayr, held in the University of Michigan library.
Arabic book cover for 'Uyun al-akhbar by Ibn Qutayba
Glistening floral patterns in gold, over a dark maroon background, with purple fading in from the corners. (Mich. Isl. Ms. 350)
Composition made using part of a calligraphic panel by Sultan Muhammad Nur (16th century), repeating the word "al-alif" in a pattern extending outward from the center. (Met 1982.120.4)
Magisterial calligraphy page, with large text in the center reading: حرف الصاد مع الالف Made in 16th-century Iran by Sultan Muhammad Nur. (Met 1982.120.4)
Detail of an illustration showing two women hanging out on an ornately tiled green rooftop with a large dome in the background. From a 16th century copy of Nizami's Khamsa, auctioned at Christie's on 31 Mar 2022.
Composition: a symmetrical pattern formed by blue, orange-red and muted green lines and floral decorations from a 17th century Persian ceramic painting. (Met 91.1.92)
Screenshot of my twitter profile (handle: islam_texts)
Detail from a Persian manuscript, done in the 17th century, showing elaborate thin lines of gold and white tracing floral and vegetal patterns over blue and black borders. (Met 63.210.1)
A basmala written in nasta'liq script, with floral decorations above and below. (LoC 2016374191)