Zad al-Ma'ad,

by the skeikh al-islam of safavid persia

Muhammad Baqir bin Muhammad Taqi bin Maqsud 'Ali al-Majlisi al-Isfahani (1627-1698 AD) was a renowned and respected authors on Twelver Shi'ism. During his lifetime he held an unprecedented amount of political power in the capital city of Isfahan under the last two Safavid Shahs, being Shah Suleyman (r. 1666-94) and Sultan Hosayn (r. 1694-1722), serving as the Sheikh al-Islam from 1687 until his death.
During this period in the Safavid court, he penned a number of important works during this time including the famous Bihar al-Anwar (Seas of Lights, one of the most extensive collections of Imamite hadith) as well as the present text: Zad al-Ma'ad (Provisions for the Resurrection).

Zad al-Ma'ad is well-known book of prayers and pious observances for ordinary and special days throughout the year, with the main body of the text being in Arabic with titles and explanatory notes provided in Farsi throughout. It is arranged into 14 chapters (with sub-divisions); the first nine chapters are on religious practices and prayers of the 12 lunar months, with the following chapters on rituals of each month, common prayers, pilgrimages to holy places, on death and funerals and religious taxes.

Single volume, illuminated manuscript on paper, in Arabic and Farsi, complete, 195 x 125 mm; 24 lines, Arabic text in black naskh and Farsi text in red nasta'liq (verging on shekasteh), delicate and beautifully illuminated unwan opening the text, borders of opening two leaves decorated in spiralling vines, text block framed within double-ruled borders, catch-words throughout, some contemporary marginalia, some very slight smudging to ink in places and light occasional water-staining mostly affecting final free endpapers), overall clean and bright example; housed in contemporary lacquered boards, covers decorated with geometric floral motifs of dark brown with gold highlights, set against a pale yellow background, forming a striking contrast, hinges and corners skilfully repaired, lacquer cracked and rubbed.