Unknown - Quran - Chinese - 1760

A stunning, Museum quality, bi-folio from an 18th Century Chinese Qur'an (circa 1760), the likes of which can be found in the Smithsonian Institute. The Chinese Quran are unusual in that they were often produced as 'bound' stand-alone chapters. This folio comes from one such and present two important verses from chapter 33, Al-Ahzab (The Enemy Alliance), verses 29 and 30. Both carry profound theological weight.

Verse 29 (right folio) addresses the wives of the Prophet directly, offering a choice between worldly life and its adornments, or devotion to God and His messenger and the eternal reward of hereafter - a passage emphasising. sincerity of faith over matrial comfort.

Verse 30 (left folio) issues a solemn warning that any misconduct among the Prophet's wives would be met with double punishment, underscoring the elevated responsibility borned by those closest to Devine guidance.

Together these verses speak to themes of moral accountability, spiritual devotion, and the obligations of those entrusted with sacred duty, messages of particular resonance within China's devout and often isolated Muslim communities.

It is written in elegant Muhaqqaq script, 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 also suggests the brush strokes associated with Chinese calligraphy, and is often referred to as sini (Chinese) Arabic. Gilded lobed cartouches and mandorla (almond) shaped medallions serve as verse markers. Delicate polychrome floral corner sprays adorn the folios.

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