Mulla Fathullah - Qur'an - Chapter 9 v.66-106 - 1780

A consistent, well-executed run of 6 complete pages from a larger dispersed Kashmiri Qur'an, containing scripture from Chapter 9, Surat al-Tawbah ("The Repentance"), v.66-106, dated 1780. These verses focus extensively on the psychological profile, behaviours, and spiritual consequences of the hypocrites (Munafiqin) in Medina. Revealed primarily during and immediately after the difficult Campaign of Tabuk, this section draws a sharp contrast between sincere faith and false devotion.

The Campaign of Tabuk was the Prophet Muhammad's final major military expedition, launched in 630 CE toward the Syrian border to face a rumored Byzantine threat. This was a highly successful strategic and diplomatic triumph, even though no actual fighting took place, whose outcomes included:
- Successful Deterrence: the arrival of a massive, disciplined force of 30,000 Muslims on the frontier effectively dissolved the threat. The Byzantine forces chose not to advance or engage in battle.
- Strategic Alliances: The Prophet Muhammad spent 20 days at Tabuk securing vital peace treaties with local Christian and Jewish governors (such as the ruler of Aylah). These rulers agreed to pay a tax (Jizya) in exchange for protection, effectively securing the northern borders of the Islamic state.
- A Spiritual Litmus Test: Domestically, the immense hardship of the 800 km desert march in scorching summer heat acted as a final filter that permanently exposed the insincere hypocrites and proved the unwavering resolve of the true believers.

It is written in naskh Arabic manuscript, with 12 lines to the page, separated by gold horizontal lines, the calligraphy tightly spaced in the regional Kashmiri naskh tradition consistent with provincial Mughal-successor production of the later C18th. All leaves have full framed margins around the scripture ruled in colours and a thick band of gold. There is an illuminated marginal 'juz' to the right folio marking the 25th verse of the chapter. Multiple simple 'aya' in gold mark the individual verses and diacritical marking in red assist the reader with devotional guidance when reading he verse.

This is a historically important manuscript some 250 years old and in very good condition for its age.

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