By Sadiq Abdulfatah

The King Abdulaziz Public Library has unveiled a rare Qur’an manuscript called Gharib Al-Qur’an (Rare Terms in the Qur’an), written by the well-known scholar Abu Ubaidah Ma’mar ibn al-Muthanna. The manuscript, which dates back around 1,000 years to the 4th century AH, has 23 folios measuring 17 by 22 cm. While written in clear Andalusian script, the names of the surahs are inscribed in Kufic script.

The library holds many other rare Qur’anic manuscripts. These include I’rab Al-Qur’an wa Ma’anih by Abu Ishaq al-Zajjaj (5th century AH), Ta’wil Mushkil Al-Qur’an by Ibn Qutaybah al-Dinawari (7th century AH), and parts of Tafsir Al-Tabari (Jami’ Al-Bayan fi Tafsir Al-Qur’an) (6th century AH, 77 folios). Another work, Fi Ma’ani Al-Qur’an wa Tafsirih by Abu Bakr Muhammad al-Naqqash, contains 113 pages and dates to the 7th century AH.

The library’s heritage archive contains more than 185 rare manuscripts on Qur’anic interpretation, along with hundreds of other manuscripts covering Qur’anic sciences such as grammar, language, and verse interpretation. These manuscripts are grouped into four main areas: interpretation (tafsir), recitations and tajwid, Qur’anic sciences, and Qur’anic manuscripts (mushafs).

Some of the other rare tafsir manuscripts include Lubab Al-Ta’wil fi Ma’ani Al-Tanzil, Al-Taysir fi Al-Tafsir by Umar Al-Nasafi, Hall Al-Ishkalat fi Fahm Ba’d Al-Ayat (12th century AH / 17th century CE), Al-Bahr Al-Madid fi Tafsir Al-Qur’an Al-Majid by Ahmad ibn Ajibah, and Ma’alim Al-Tanzil by Al-Baghawi. The collection also features works like Tafsir Al-Jalalayn, Al-Durr Al-Masoon fi ‘Ulum Al-Kitab Al-Maknun, and Al-Durr Al-Manthur fi Al-Tafsir bil-Ma’thur, among many others focusing on language, grammar, and interpretation.

The library aims to showcase its rare collections, including manuscripts, documents, photographs, coins, and artifacts, providing opportunities for study, research, and engagement with Islamic heritage.

Source: Saudi Gazette