Unknown - Dala'il al Khairat - 1778

A stunning bi-folio from a copy of the Dala'il al-Khayrat prayer book, scribed around 1775, written in Nasta'liq script. The script is contained within framed boxes surrounded by large form decorative floral borders in repeat pattern blue and gold which is quite unusual, indicating that this may have belonged to quite an important benefactor. The script itself is bold nasta'liq set within horizontal gold cloud bands, beneath which is Persian commentary in red. Verses are marked with simple gold aya. The leafs are generally in good condition, with a few small wormhole in the central margin area. Outside the formal scriptures is a generous margin filled with elaborate gold floral decoration. This adds significantly to the aesthetic value of the folio.

The scripture is asking God to send blessings and support to Muhammad and his family and to reward him for being God's messenger and saviour of the Nation. It asks God to raise Muhammad to the eternal life. And it asks that God grant the reader the same virtues and wisdom.

The Dalal'il is a collection of prayers for the Islamic prophet Muhammad, which was written by the Moroccan Shadhili scholar Muhammad al-Jazuli (died 1465 AD). It is popular in parts of the Islamic world amongst traditional Muslims - specifically North Africa, Turkey, the Caucasus and South Asia and is divided into sections for daily recitation. The Dala'il al-Khayrat is the first major book in Islamic history which compiled litanies of peace and blessings upon Muhammad. It is also the most popular and most universally acclaimed collection of litanies asking God to bless him. Among some Sunni religious orders, most notably the Shadhili order, its recitation is a daily practice. In others however, its recitation is a purely voluntary daily practice.

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