A composite text containing excerpts from the Miraj Nameh,

illustrating tales of The Prophet and imams

This is a very attractively illuminated manuscript containing verses and excerpts from the Miraj Nameh (by Mir Haydar) along with other texts relaying Islamic stories about the Prophet and other Imams, possibly including the Khavaran Nameh. There are many sections of the text relating to Imam Ali (AS), a notable theme drawn from the Khavaran Name by Ibn Hossam Khosefi, which is an epic account of the life of the commander of the faithful Imam Ali (AS), while also drawing on the themes from the Miraj Nameh which tells of the miraculous 'isra' and 'miraj' of the night journey of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Both these texts are rare, and an adaptation of them in verse is equally unusual.

This manuscript is extensively decorated throughout with colourful banners between the columns of text, the opening marginal designs are exquisitely intricate, and there are also 20 illuminated miniatures in the text. These miniatures frequently depicting either Imams of the Prophet, including a heavenly scene, many including angels, battles and meetings of dignitaries. The style of the illustrations is very much in line with the Kashmiri school, and many of the images use silver as well as gold in their illumination.

Single volume, fine illuminated manuscript on paper, in Arabic and Farsi, with 15 illuminated miniatures in the text, 283 leaves, incomplete at the end (likely lacking only one or two gatherings), 268 x 154 mm; four columns, 22 lines black nasta'liq script, headings in red, opening two leaves with elegant and detailed polychrome gilt borders extending into the margins, one illuminated polychrome head-piece opening a second section of the text, 20 large miniatures in the text, these brightly coloured and usually depicting a scene portraying the Prophet or an Imam, contemporary tissue-guards, catch-words, a few small areas of light finger-soiling else very bright and attractive internal condition; contemporary lacquered boards, spine crudely repaired, extremities worn with loss to boards.