Unknown - Quran - late Timurid - 1480

A single leaf from a Qur'an of the late Timurid Empire of central Asia (1370-1507) c1460, contains the final verses of the Medinian Chapter 59, Al-Hashr (The Banishment) which focus on the themes of piety, accountability for the afterlife, the distinction between the people of Paradise and the people of the Fire, and the majestic attributes and names of Allah. It contains an illuminated marginal juz in blue and gold indicating the 20th verse of the Chapter and ends with the illuminated Surah of Chapter 60, Al-Mumtahanah (The Test of Faith), which is written unusually in gold on gold framed by a blue arabesque pattern surround.

Specifically, v.18 is a direct call to the believers to "fear Allah" (be mindful of their duty to Him) and to reflect on the deeds; v.19 warns people not to be like those who forgot Allah, which consequently led Allah to make them forget their own souls (their true purpose and eternal welfare). V.20 highlights the fundamental difference between those destined for the Fire of Hell and those destined for Paradise. V.21 serves to emphasize the immense weight and importance of the Quran's message and implicitly critiques heedless humanity for remaining unmoved by it. V.22 affirms Allah as the one true God (La ilaha illa Hu), the Knower of the unseen and the seen, and the Most Merciful and Most Compassionate (Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim). V.23 continues the list of divine attributes (some of the Most Beautiful Names of Allah and concludes by glorifying Him above anything that people associate with Him. V.26, the final verse of the chapter The final verse in this passage identifies Allah as the Creator (Al-Khaliq), the Inventor (Al-Bari') and the Fashioner (Al-Musawwir).

The 11 lines of scripture are written in elegant Nashki in black, and contain diacritical red markings for devotees to follow when reading the scripture and simple gold verse markings (aya). The whole is framed in gold markings with an outer black frame line.

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