Unknown - Quran - Chinese - 1760

A folio from an 18th Century Chinese Qur'an (circa 1760), which contains the header and beginning verses of the Meccan revelation, Surah 32, Al-Sajda (The Prostation).

It is is a striking example of Sini script, a distinctive Chinese style of Arabic calligraphy developed by Muslim communities in China, suggesting brush strokes. It is in Muhhaqaq, characterised by bold left leaning extended upstrokes of the pen, well-spaced ligatures, and shallow and sweeping horizontal sublinear flourishes. It is 'meticulously produced' as the name implies. During the caliphate of al Ma'mun (813-833) it became the preferred style of the Warraqun (professional scribes) to enable relatively easy reproduction.

It contains verses 1-4 of the chapter, which affirm the divine origin of the Quran, establish Prophet Muhammad's role as a warner to a nation that previously had no guide, and present Allah as the sole Creator and Sustainer of the universe, with no one besides Him to protect or intercede.

The diagonal Arabic annotations in the margin are tarsier notes - classical exegetical commentary touching on: The Meccan/Medinian classification debate; engagement with the science of tajwid; notes on variant recitations and a reference to "la khawf" - no fear.

This is a rare and visually arresting folio made not merely for devotion but also Quranic study.

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