When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Old & rare Islamic Manuscript - Majmou'a from Fez, Morocco - early19th Century
An authentic and fascinating Islamic study manuscript, probably from the Al-Qarawiyyin university in the old medina of Fez, Morocco.
This is a Majmou'a - a personal compendium / students notebook compiled over decades around the famous Al-Qarawiyyin University, the oldest university in the world.
This is not a Qur'an, but a practical handbook of Islamic daily life, containing at least 4-5 different texts bound together:
1. Main Text - Fiqh al-Ibadat (Maliki Madhhab): The core of the book. Chapters on purification and prayer, with clear rubricated titles in red ink: Bab al-Wudu, Sifat al-Wudu, Salat al-Duha, Salat al-Haja, Salat al-Kusuf, Salat al-'Idayn, Bab al-Hajj and more.
2. Second Text - Usul al-Fiqh & Mantiq (Logic): Chapters on Islamic logic and legal reasoning: Bab al-Qiyas, Fasl al-'Aks (Analogy and Conversion). Very typical for the advanced curriculum in Fez.
3. Marginal Glosses: Extensive contemporary and later glosses in tiny Maghribi script in the margins 'hashiya - qawluhu - ya'ni' - notes written by its owners and students over more than 200 years.
SCRIPT & DATING:
SCRIPT: Beautiful classic Moroccan Maghribi 'Mabsut' in black ink with red rubrics for titles. On old handmade laid paper, naturally browned with age spots.
DATING: Last ownership note dated 1359 AH = 1940/41 AD. The manuscript itself is much older. Based on script, paper, and binding, dated to ca. 1800-1850
BINDING:
Original Moroccan envelope binding with flap, brown leather with gold tooling. Central almond mandorla and corner pieces. Typical Fez craftsmanship.
CONDITION: Please see photos for exact condition - honest antique condition.
Cover is dry, with wear to edges, small wormholes and spine partly detached, which is normal for its age. Text block is solid and fully legible, but with foxing, browning, damp stains and minor ink corrosion. Only 1 loose page. No modern restoration. A true used study book with a soul.
Dimensions: Approx. 22 x 17 x 5 cm, around 650 pages. Block is loose in the binding. Complete , compact. In good antiquarian condition.
Provenance: Private find from an old family library in Fez medina.
A unique piece for collectors of Islamic art, manuscripts, North African history, and Qarawiyyin tradition. Very decorative and scholarly.
Shipped well-packed and tracked. Feel free to ask any questions.
Price including shipping, send from Holland, worldwide
