ANSARI, Murtada ibn Muhammad Amin.

Sirat al-Nijat,

also known as 'Risala'i Taj al-Hijaj'.

Stock Code

104013

Qajar Persia, Tehran (ý)1857

£5,000

An important treatise relating to the Shi'a interpretations of irfan (ethics), fiqh and usul (roots and principles of Islamic jurispudence).

Murtada ibn Muhammad Amin Ansari, known as al-Shaykh al-Ansari (1800 - 1864) was an authoritative Shi'a scholar whose understanding of Shari'a law lead him to become a Marja' (a jurist whose fatwas on legal matters are practised by their local Shi'a community) during his lifetime. The popularity of his teachings lead this particular treatise to appear in lithographed form in 1883 (in Tehran), and although printed copies of the text have been institutionally located, no other manuscripts have been traced that were copied during the author's lifetime.

The richly dyed blue paper and the scribal hand present in this manuscript indicate production in a formal Qajar scriptorium. The volume was either commissioned directly by the royal household of Fath'Ali Shah, for personal use by the Royal Family, or was acquired by

Description

Single volume, decorated manuscript on blue paper, in Arabic and Farsi, 145 leaves (including one final free endpaper), complete, 168 by 110 mm; single column, 15 lines formal black naskh script, catch-words throughout, early ink ownership seals to first and final leaves, a few minor smudges else attractive and clean internal condition; contemporary tan limp leather binding, ruled in blind, extremities lightly rubbed, water-stain to lower cover.