Anam'i Sharif,

extensively illustrated prayerbook

The Anam'i Sharif is a Sunni prayerbook that derives it's name from the Surah An'Am, which is usually one of the first excerpts of the Qur'an to appear in the text. The prayerbook is known for including pictorial representations of Mecca and Medina, the 'Asma'ul Husna' (99 names of Allah) and 'Asma'an Nabi' (99 names of The Prophet PBUH), which are all present in this copy. The text is very comparable to the Dala'il al-Khayrat by Imam al-Jazuli in many regards, however the Anam'i Sharif is more extensive than Jazuli's prayers because it also includes Hadiths of The Prophet (PBUH) along with pictorial illustrations of the relics of The Prophet (PBUH), including his hand- and footprints, staff and robes among other items. Hilyas of The Prophet and four Caliphs are also included as elaborate single-page calligraphic compositions, alongside Hilyas of Islamic teachings such as 'Hannan' and 'Mannan' among others.

The text in this copy includes an extensive collection of Qur'anic excerpts and Du'a including: Surah al-Fatihah; Surah al-Baraqah; Surah An'am; Surah Yas; Surah Ar-Rahman; Du'a Ar-Rahman; Du'a Il'Ullah (?); Surah An-Naba; Surah Ad-Duha; Surah Ash-Sharh; Surah At-Tin; Surah A-'Alaq; Surah Al-Qadr; Surah al-Bayyinah; Surah Az-Zalzalah; Surah-Al-'Adiyat; Surah al'-Asr; Surah al-Humazah; Surah al-Kawthar; Surah al-Kafirun; Suran An-Nasr; Surah al-Masad; Surah al-Ikhlas; Surah al-Falaq; Surah an-Nas; Du'a Khatam al-Qur'an; Ismaul Husna (99 names of Allah); Asma al-Nabi (99 names of The Prophet PBUH), among other Du'a and separately quoted Ayat from the Qur'an.

Illustrations include: double-page aerial views of the holy sites of Mecca and Medina, the genealogical tree of the Prophet featuring the Asharat al-Mubashsharun, the family tree of Ahl al-Bayt, depictions of the Prophet's flags and the sword of 'Ali, the Seal of Prophethood (Muhr al-Nubuwwah), the Seals of Solomon and Ja'far al-Sadiq (preceded by commentary), the Rose of the Prophet Muhammad among others.

Single volume, illuminated manuscript on paper, in Arabic, 142 x 95 mm; single column, 9 lines black naskh, some headings in red, headings in white against gilt banners, opening two leaves with text-blocks framed within elaborately decorated polychrome borders, gilt margins extending to full coverage of each of the opening leaves, many calligraphic hilyas and illustrations in the text including aerial views of Mecca and Medina, verses marked by gilt roundels, leaves ruled in gilt, catch-words, hinges weakened with some leaves becoming loose, some light age-toning and mottling to some leaves, occasional light finger-soiling; contemporary morocco boards with flap, covers painted in gilt, crudely rebacked in later cloth.