Unknown - Qur'an - Morocco/Tunisia - 1825

Three framed leafs from a dispersed Qur'an originating in North Africa C1825. They are in good condition.

Framed 1 (left). Contains the header and scripture from v.1-12 of Surah at-Tur (Mount Tur), which swear powerful cosmic and sacred oaths—including by Mount Sinai and the heavenly house—to emphasize that God's punishment of judgment is real, unshakeable, and approaching for those who mock the faith.

Framed 2 (middle). A leaf from Surah Al-Mumtahanah (The Test of Faith), v.6-8, which focus on Prophet Abraham as an ideal role model, the hope for future reconciliation, and the mandate to treat peaceful non-Muslims with fairness and kindness. These verses establish clear boundaries between hostile aggressors and peaceful neighbors.

Framed 3 (right). A leaf from Surah Al-Fath (The Triumph), v.25-26, which explain the divine wisdom behind preventing a violent conflict at the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. They highlight the protection of hidden believers in Mecca, the restraint of Muslim anger against pagan arrogance, and the grant of inner peace (sakina) to the believer.

They are all written in free flowing Mahgribi script common to the region, and recognisable through the open curves and flourishes extending deep into the sub-linear area, occasionally touching the adjacent words. Its verticals and downstrokes are slightly curved to the left giving the script a unique grace. Diacritics ( guidance to the reader) and vowel points are red and green, inner margins in red with an outer blue. There is a stylised marginal in a palmetto motif in gold, red and green which marks the beginning of the new chapter (Surah).

Although unrelated in the sense that they are from separate Sura, these are really interesting folios representing the calligraphic developments that took place in North Africa, or the Maghrib, comprising Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. Art of the Maghrib is distinguished by a mystical quality drawing on the region’s symbols and signs that originate in pre-Islamic Berber motifs and a rich Islamic heritage introduced to the region by Arabs in the seventh century. They would make ideal gifts.

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