Finding Aid for the Shaykhiyah collection of Arabic and Persian manuscripts, ca. 1683-1924

Processed by UCLA Library Special Collections staff; machine-readable finding aid created by Caroline Cubé.
UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections
Manuscripts Division
Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575
Email: spec-coll@library.ucla.edu
URL: http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/special/scweb/
© 2008
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.


Descriptive Summary

Title: Shaykhiyah collection of Arabic and Persian manuscripts
Date (inclusive): ca. 1683-1924
Collection number: 1655
Extent: 5 boxes (2.5 linear ft.)
Abstract: Collection consists of theological and philosophical manuscripts in Arabic and Persian, as well as some poetry and works on astronomy.
Language: Finding aid is written in English.
Repository: University of California, Los Angeles. Library. Department of Special Collections.
Los Angeles, California 90095-1575
Physical location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.

Administrative Information

Restrictions on Access

PARTIALLY PROCESSED COLLECTION UNAVAILABLE FOR USE: Inquiries regarding these materials should be directed, in writing, to the Manuscripts Librarian, UCLA Department of Special Collections.
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.

Restrictions on Use and Reproduction

Property rights to the physical object belong to the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections. Literary rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Shaykhiyah collection of Arabic and Persian manuscripts (Collection Number 1655). Department of Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA.

Scope and Content

Collection consists of theological and philosophical manuscripts in Arabic and Persian, as well as some poetry and works on astronomy.
Materials in this collection are in both Arabic and Persian.

Organization and Arrangement

Arranged in the following series:
  1. Manuscripts 1-10 (Box 1)
  2. Manuscripts 11-29 (Box 2)
  3. Manuscripts 30-43 (Box 3)
  4. Manuscripts 44-50 (Box 4)
  5. Manuscripts 51-57 (Box 5)

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects

Islam --Doctrines.
Islam and philosophy.

Genres and Forms of Material

Manuscripts --Arab countries.


Note

Note: This list is a translation by Henning L. Bauer, of an unpublished handlist by Rudolph Gelpke. Box location within the list is either not identified, or has not been checked if indicated in the list.
Box 1

Manuscript No. 1 Shaykh Ahmad Ahsa'i

Biography/Organization History

(Ahmad Zayn al-Din al-Ahsa'i; 1166-1241 H / 1753-1826 CE; great philosopher and religious reformer, founder and first leader of the Shaykhiyah, cf. H.Corbin, pp. 9-24)

Scope and Content Note

Large collection of 24 autographical treatises (Arabic); complete and perfectly preserved, consistently written in the extremely meticulous, splendidly even, easily legible script of the author; w. red titles in the margins, marked and underlined passages. - Ten lines on page previous to title page (dated 1236 H / 1820 CE) w. seal, final lines of the fourth risala (p.93) in the handwriting of Ahsa'i's friend, the scholar and calligrapher Qadir b. Muhammad Jawad Muhammad Tahir Taleqani, who owned the Ms. -
Contents:
  • Index (1-4);
  • Reply to Muhammad Damghani (5-12); to 'Ali Nuri (12-26);
  • Qasidah (27-32); on a risalah of Mulla Muhsin (Faiz Kashani, 32-93);
  • Risalah in reply to problems posed by Kazim Semnani (94-112);
  • On Hadith "ra'a al , jalut" (112-118);
  • On hell and hellish punishments (119-127);
  • On consensus (127-190);
  • On some of the "masa'il al-usuliyah" (190-252);
  • On "asrar al-tajwid" (252-257);
  • On the hadith "loulaka ma khalaqta al-aflaka" (257/58);
  • Against Shaykh Muhammad Kazim (259-267);
  • Eight tractates at special request (267-416);
  • Risalah on the problems of the Isfahanis (417-428);
  • Reply to Mulla 'Ali Rashti (429-479);
  • Risalah on "Tabsirat al-muta'allimin" of 'Allama Halli (480-631);
  • On "masa'il al-usul" & "kafsh al-ghitah" of Shaykh Ja'f ir (631-667). -
Fine brown-red leather binding w. seven ornamental medallions w. arabesques on ea. side. Total 667 pages of text (340 sheets); 27 lines per page 305x190 mm (text: 225x115 mm); dated (sheet 11 a = p.26): 2. Rabi' 1. 1232 H (1817 CE); "wa kataba al-'abd al-maskin Ahmad b. Zayn al-Din al-Ahsa'i..."
Box 1

Manuscript No. 2 Shaykh Ahmad Ahsa'i (s.a.)

Scope and Content Note

"Kitab sharh al fawa'id" (Arabic), fully preserved, w. red titles and marked passages. -
Brown leather binding. - 307 pages of text; 22 lines per page 220x150 mm (text: 15500 mm) Dated (p.307): 9. Shawal 1233 H. (=1818); work written "with the quill of the author, the miserable slave..." etc. (Autograph).
Box 1

Manuscript No. 3 Shaykh Ahmad Ahsa'i (s.a.)

Scope and Content Note

"Ayn al-yaqin" (Arabic): philosophical treatment on the problem of reality, "wahdat al-wujud" luh al-mahfuz", etc. Dispute with Mulla Muhsin in Isfahan, quotes Ibn'Arabi, Farabi, Ghazali, etc. -
Clear script w. red marked passages. Light leather binding w. ornamental seam. - 92 pages of text; 23 lines per page 210x150mm (text: 150x85 mm) Ms. dated 1241 H (1825/26 CE), copy of a work probably written in 1228 H (1813 CE). -
Box 1

Manuscript No. 4 Sayyid Kazim Rashti

Biography/Organization History

(1212-1259 H / 1798-1843 CE; student, confidante & first successor of Ahsa'i as second leader of the Shaykhiyah; cf. Corbin, pp. 25-28)

Scope and Content Note

"Wasiyat" (Testament; Arabic), complete, large & clear script. -
15 pages of text (+12 remaining sheets); 14 lines per page 175x110 mm (text: 140x65 mm) Undated copy. -
Box 1

Manuscript No. 5 (Muhammad) Kazim-Khan Kirmani

Biography/Organization History

(1225-1288 H. / 1809-1872; student & successor of Kazim Rashti as third leader of the Shaykhiyah & founder of its subsequent headquarters in Kirman; cf. H.Corbin, pp. 28-34)

Scope and Content Note

"Sharp al-nata'ij fi al-'usul" (Arabic); in the fine, minute hand of the author with red marked passages, mentioned (p.57) "our book fasl al-kitab" (cf. Corbin p.34). - On first and last page: later notes, partially signed (by Hasan b. Kazim Rashti, Sayyid Kazim Tabataba'i, Ahmad b. Hafiz). -
Fine leather binding w. ornamental borders & three medallions w. floral ornaments. - 377 pages of text, 18 lines per page 225x170 mm (text: 160x105 mm) Author's manuscript (p.377: "wa-qad faragha min tasuvid... musannifuhu... " etc.), 1251 H / 1835/36 CE.
Box 1

Manuscript No. 6 Karim-Khan Kirmani (s.a.)

Scope and Content Note

"Tafsir surat al-hujarat" (Arabic; Quranic exegesis) Autograph with marginalia; p.72-75 replaced later.
Brown leather binding. - 133 pages of text; 19 lines per page 180x110 mm (text: 120x65 mm) Author's manuscript (less than two years prior to his death), dated Rabi' 11286 H (1869 CE).
 

Manuscript No. 7 Karim-Khan Kirmani (s.a.)

Scope and Content Note

Collection of eight treatises (Arabic & Persian), complete and perfectly preserved; beautiful leather binding w. ornaments. - Contains:
  • 1) on dreams and their interpretation (dedicated to his son Rahim (Muhammad Khan, Arabic, 2202) 2) on micro- & macrocosmos (Arabic, written 1264 H., 203-228)
  • 3) on the expression "luh al-mahfuz" (& "Umm al-kitab"; Persian, 229-250)
  • 4) Responses to Shaykh Muhammad al-Kurdestani (Persian, 251-293)
  • 5) Risalah on Taqiya (Arabic, written 1272 H., 294-326)
  • 6) Risalah on "wasiyat fi al-71m". (Arabic, 327-354)
  • 7) on "tayy al-'arz", philosophy (Persian, 356-376)
  • 8) on a Hadith of Imam Sadiq from the book Kafi (Arabic, 377-395). -
Total 397 pages of text (396/97 appendix); 14 lines per page 213x150 mm (Text: 150 x 95 mm) Dated (p.395) by calligrapher Hasan b. Muhammad Baqir al-Maraghi in Karbasha: 14. Ramadan 1280 H (1863 CE)

Note

Transferred to Arabic manuscripts on medicine and science, MS 117, (Collection 1062). Available at the UCLA Biomed Department of Special Collections.
 

Manuscript No. 8 Karim-Khan Kirmani (s.a.)

Scope and Content Note

"Risalah fi al yaqut al-hamra'" (Arabic); this "treatise on the red hyacinth" is of central importance (unedited), cf. also H.Corbin, p.34: "the great treatise on the color red, which more than once brings Goethe's "Farbenlehre" to mind..." -
In the fine, clear script of the author, w. (red) marked passages. - 44 pages of text; 19 lines per page 210x140 mm (Text: 150x80 nun) Author's manuscript, dated (s.p.44) Zi al-Hijja 1267 H. (1851 CE). -

Note

Transferred to Arabic manuscripts on medicine and science, MS 30, (Collection 1062). Available at the UCLA Biomed Department of Special Collections.
Box 1

Manuscript No. 9/7 Karim-Khan Kirmani (s.a.)

Scope and Content Note

"Kitab usul wa manabi' al-filth'" (Arabic), w. detailed 6-page table of contents.
Black leather binding w. ornaments. - 218 pages of text; 14 lines per page 210x150 mm (Text: 145x75 mm). - Not dated. -
Box 1

Manuscript No. 10/8 Karim-Khan Kirmani (s.a.)

Scope and Content Note

Collection (Exquisite script) of eight treatises on astronomy (Persian & Arabic), w. 67 pages of meticulously prepared tables (black, blue, red) & four astronomical drawings (3-colored); exquisite gold-lacquered binding w. ornamental seam & heavenly spheres. - Contents:
  • 1) "Khulasah yi tagwim" (Science of calendars, Persian, 1-35)
  • 2) "Risalat al-mizan fi al-asturlab" (Science of astrolabes, Arabic, 39-92
  • 3) "Halgahyi karimiyah" (Science of horoscopes, Persian, 97-124). -
126 pages of text; 20 lines per page 200000 mm (Text: 150x80 mm) Composed 1259 H (1843 CE); written by calligrapher Zayn al-'Abidin Sharif. -
 

Manuscript No. 11 Karim-Khan Kirmani (s.a.)

Scope and Content Note

"Kitab diya' al-basha'ir" (Arabic), consisting of preface, three main sections ( maqalat) & conclusion ( khatimah). -
Black leather binding w. ornamental margins. 144 pages of text; 20 lines per page 220x155 mm (Text: 165x90 mm) Written 1286 H. (1852 CE); copy prepared by Shukrallah b. Ghulam Husayn in Safar 1293 H. (1876 CE)

Note

Transferred to Arabic manuscripts on medicine and science, MS 31, (Collection 1062). Available at the UCLA Biomed Department of Special Collections.
Box 1

Manuscript No. 12/9 Karim-Khan Kirmani (s.a.)

Scope and Content Note

Collection of two treatises (Arabic); brown leather binding. - Contents:
  • 1) Quranic exegesis (1-151)
  • 2) Answers to questions by Muhammad 'Ali Rashti (152-341)
341 pages of text; 15 lines per page 175x110 mm (Text: 140x75 mm) Dated (pp. 151, 341) by scribe Muhammad'Ali b. Talib al-Tabrizi: 1293 H (1876 CE). -
Box 2

Manuscript No. 13/10 Karim-Khan Kirmani (s.a.)

Scope and Content Note

Collection of two treatises (Arabic); read leather binding w. ornamental borders. - Contents:
  • 1) "Shark al-du'a al-sahar" (commentary, written 1274 H (1857 CE), 1-229, w. appendix pp. 230 ff.)
  • 2) Commentary on the "Ram" of Shaykh Ahmad Ahsa'i (written 1282 H (1865 CE), 233-263). -
263 pages of text; 16 lines per page 175x105 mm (Text: 130x65mm) Copy of the original prepared by Muhsin al-Husayni in Shawwal 1309 H. (1892 CE). -
Box 2

Manuscript No. 14/11 Karim-Khan Kirmani (s.a.)

Scope and Content Note

Collection from the possessions of the prince Mu'ayyad-Dawlah Tahmasp-Mirza w. four treatises (Arabic); black leather binding w. ornaments. - Contents:
  • 1) Karim-Khan: Risala in reply the prince's question about the "hamra afaq al-sama" in the martyrdom of Husayn b. 'Ali
  • 2) Mirza Husayn Hujjat al-Islam Tabrizi Mamaqani: Risalah on "Hadith Qudsi" at the behest of the Qajar Wazir, Mirza Aqasi (composed Jumadi 111265 H / 1849 CE, 25-48)
  • 3) Karim-Khan: Risalah in reply to seven questions posed by Prince Mu'ayyad-Dawlah (e.g. on "yawm al-qadir" "karam al-katibayn", the "muhibb" in Shi'ism, etc.; composed Ziy al-Hijjah 1265 H / 1849 CE; 53-105)
  • 4) Autograph of the Prince (dated 1247 H / 1857 CE; p.106)
106 pages of text; 12/14/17 lines per page 210x140 mm (Texts: appr. 150x80 mm) Dated (s.a.) 1265/66 & 1274 H (1849 & 1857 CE)
Box 2

Manuscript No. 15/12 Hasan Maraghi'i (Mujtahid of Tabriz)

Scope and Content Note

"Risalah fi radd al-Shaykhiyah" (Arabic): Attack on the "Shaykhiyah", criticism and repudiation of "physical resurrection" ( ma'ad jasmani). - Excellent calligraphy. -
58 pages of text; 12 fines per page 210x140 mm (Text: 135x65 mm); dated 1256 H / 1848/49 CE.
Box 2

Manuscript No. 16/13 Karim-Khan Kirmani (s.a.)

Scope and Content Note

Risalah on Shaykhiyah apologetics (Arabic); in his function as leader of the Shaykhis, the author is responding to the attack by Mujtahid Hasan Maraghi'i (at the behest of Prince Mu'ayyad-Dawlah, in whose possession the two treatises were). -
139 pages of text; 17 lines per page 210x140 mm (Text: 140x80 mm) Dated (p.139) 15. Rabi' I 1265 (?) H / 1849 CE. -
Box 2

Manuscript No. 17/14 Karim-Khan Kirmani (s.a.) & Muhammad-Khan Kirmani (son and successor; s.b.)

Scope and Content Note

Collection of three treatises (Arabic), black leather binding w. ornamental borders. Contents:
  • 1) Karim-Khan: "Risalah fi fawa'id al-sab'ah" (composed Jumadi I 1262 H, copied by Hasan b. Muhammad in Rabi' I 1295 H / 1878 CE; pp. 1-58)
  • 2) Muhammad-Khan: "Risalah on "Ana madinat al-'ilm ... " (highly interesting philosophical & theosophic symbolic digression in 19 abwab on the 19 different mudun as stations of the spiritual journey, e.g. first madina, "white pearl" = seat of divinity, etc.; autograph: composed and written down in Safar 1396 H / 1879 CE (pp. 59-120)
  • 3) Muhammad Khan: Risalah in reply to Zayn al-'Abidin Shahrudi (Safar 1298 H / 1881 CE; pp. 121-160).
160 pages of text; 19 + 16 lines per page 165x105 mm (Texts: appr. 125x55 nun) Dated (s.a.): 1295-98 H / 1878-81 CE. -
Box 2

Manuscript No. 18/15 Muhammad-Khan Kirmani

Scope and Content Note

(1263-1324 H / 1846-1906 CE; son and successor of Karim-Khan Kirmani, fourth leader of the "Shaykhiyah", cf. Corbin, pp.34-37: "his life was essentially that of a man of science and spirituality, completely absorbed in research, education, and preaching ..." (35) & and on his 204 works: "hardly twenty have been printed so far").
Collection of two essential treatises (Persian); fine, clear script w. marked passages in red and comments in the margins; 3-colored leather binding w. ornamental borders. - Contents:
  • 1) "Risalah dar bara yi ithbat-i 'aqayid-i Shaykhiyah" (Apologetics of fundamentals of Shaykhiya beliefs; 1-65)
  • 2) Shaykhiyah & philosophy of Mulla Sadra (Discussion and counter-definition, e.g. opposite "wahdat al-wujud"; 66-347)
347 pages of text; 19 lines per page 175x110 mm (Text: 135x65 mm) Composed 1295 H / 1878 CE; final dating of the copy of the original by Muhammad b. Muhammad Sadiq: 14. Rajab 1298 H / 1881 CE. -
Box 2

Manuscript No. 19/16 Muhammad-Khan Kirmani (s.a.)

Scope and Content Note

Risala on the relationship between the descendants of the prophet (sadat) and the Shi'ah (Arabic), responses to inquiries (s.p.3). -
Fine red leather binding. - 142 pages of text; 16-20 lines per page 180x110 mm (Text: 135x70mm) Completed 13. Ziy al-Qa'dah 1315 H / 1898 CE by scribe Mahmud b. Ghulam-'Ali al-Isfahani in the Ibrahim-Khan madrasah in Kirman. -
Box 2

Manuscript No. 20/17 Muhammad-Khan Kirmani (s.a.)

Scope and Content Note

"Kitab kanz al-ramz" (Arabic);
brown leather binding w. ornamental border. - 94 pages of text; 14 lines per page 170x110 mm (Text: 120x60 mm) Composed Rajab 1294 H / 1877 CE & copied in Safar 1297 H / 1880 CE. -
Box 2

Manuscript No. 21/18 Muhammad-Khan Kirmani ("Rahim")

Scope and Content Note

"Gulshan" (Persian; prose & poetry modeled after Sa'di's classic "Gulistan");
illuminated luxurious script w. fine, multi-colored floral ornaments on gold on the first pages (1/2), exquisite Nasta'liq w. three-colored outlines (gold, green, red) & title and marked passages in red and blue. - Two main sections (1-213 & 213-309). - Two-colored leather binding. -
309 pages of text; 15 lines per page 220x140 mm (Text: 160x80 mm; poetry in 2 columns) Written down by the famous calligrapher, Muhammad 'Ali b. Muhammad Sadiq al-Shirazi (signature p.309) w. final date: Jumadi 11279 H / 1862 CE. -
Box 2

Manuscript No. 22/19 Muhammad-Khan Kirmani (s.a.)

Scope and Content Note

Risalah in reply to questions posed by Mirza Mahmud Shirazi (Arabic), on 'Ali, the term "ma'sum", intentional and unintentional killing etc. -
Brown leather binding w. ornamental borders. - 114 pages of text (appr. 2/3 blank pages); 16 lines per page 175x110 mm (Text: 125x65 mm) Dated (p.113/14) RAP II 1293 H / 1876 CE: "'ala yaday musannifi-ha... "
Box 2

Manuscript No. 23/20 Muhammad-Khan Kirmani (s.a.)

Scope and Content Note

Collection of two treatises (Arabic) in light brown leather binding:
  • 1) "Risalah fi wahdat al-natiq" (on the necessity of just one Natiq in the absence of the Imam; 1136)
  • 2) Answers to questions posed by Mirza Imani Lahiji (145-261)
261 pages of text (incl. 8 blank pages); 16 lines per page Dated Jumadi 111315 H / 1897 H by 'Ali Muhammad Shahrudi (p.265). -
Box 2

Manuscript No. 24/21 Muhammad-Khan Kirmani (s.a.)

Scope and Content Note

Collection of two treatises (Arabic):
  • 1) Risalah for Mahmud Shirazi (1-97)
  • 2) "Risalah fi al-tibyan" (on problems of exegesis; 89-176)
Black leather binding. - 176 pages of text; 17 lines per page (Nr.1) on ascension of Christ 175x105 mm (Text: 130x60 mm) Dated (pp.97, 176) 1299 H / 1882 CE
Box 2

Manuscript No. 25/22 Muhammad-Khan Kirmani (s.a.)

Scope and Content Note

"al-Mu'ayyadiyah" (Arabic), mentions meeting w. Shaykh Ahmad Ahsa'i in Kirmanshahan. -
Leather binding. - 85 pages of text; 14 lines per page 170 x 11 mm (Text: 125x65 mm) Copy of the original (1291 H / 1874 CE) of Ziy al-Qa'da 1297 H / 1880 CE. -
Box 2

Manuscript No. 26/23  Muhammad-Khan Kirmani ("Rahim")

Scope and Content Note

"Daftar-i bagiyat wa salihat" (1-70 Arabic, 70-348 Persian); poetry & prose, praise of the prophets, 'Alawites etc. -
Fine leather binding w. lavish ornaments. - 348 pages of text; 14 fines per page; beautiful Nasta'liq w. (red) titles. 215x170 mm (Texts: 140x85; poetry in two columns) Undated & most probably autograph. -
Box 2

Manuscript No. 27/24 Muhammad-Khan Kirmani (translator)

Scope and Content Note

"Kitab-i khuyut" (Persian translation of the Arabic work at the behest of its author, 'Abd al-Karim-Khan Haj al-Haramayn; w. (reed) drawings (22 ff.) & tables ( 38 ff.). -
The translator's father deceased while the work was in progress (cf. pp. 51 ff.). - 52 pages of text; 15 lines per page 175x110 mm (Text: 130x60 mm) Composed and written down (autograph) Jumadi 111289 H / 1872 CE. -
Box 2

Manuscript No. 25 Muhammad-Khan Kirmani (s.a.) & Mirza Muhammad Baqir Hamadani (s.b.)

Scope and Content Note

collection of two treatises (Arabic) in red leather binding w. ornaments.
  • 1) Muhammad-Khan: "Risalah fi maqamat al-mashayikh" (Discussion of important terms such as "qutb" "da'irah", etc.; 1-78)
  • 2) Hamadani: Risalah for Sayyid'Ali Zunuzi (79-120); composed Rajab 1295 H / 1878 CE. -
120 pages of text; 14 lines per page 175x105 mm (Text: 135x65 mm) Written by'Abd al-Samad b. Mirza Ahmad in Safar 1314 H / 1896. -
Box 2

Manuscript No. 29/26 Mirza Muhammad Baqir Hamadani (Sharif Tabataba'i; 1239-1319 H / 1823-1901 CE; famous student of Karim-Khan Kirmani & leader of the "Shaykhiyah" in Hamadan):

Scope and Content Note

"Kulliyat al-hikmah fi sharh mushkilat ayat al-Qur'an al-majid" (The complete wisdom regarding the exegesis of difficult Quranic ayas), (Arabic). -
Red-brown leather binding. - Important for the Quranic exegesis of the "Shaykhiyah". - 393 pages of text; 9 lines per page 135x100 mm (Text: 100x55 mm) Final dating (p. 393) by the famous calligrapher, Muhammad Kalhor (signed), Shawal 1307 H / 1889 CE, 12 years prior to the author's death. -
 

Manuscript No. 30 'Abd al-Samad Muhammad Husayn Hamadani (faqih, one of the early followers of Ahsa'i and his school)

Scope and Content Note

Collection of 3 treatises (Persian & Arabic); brown leather binding. - Contents:
  • 1) Apologetics of Shaykh Ahmad Ahsa'i in response to attacks by some fuqaha' (1-37 Persian, rest Arabic)
  • 2) "Sharh silsilat al-tul wa silsilat al-'ard" (theosoph. philosophy; Arabic)
  • 3) "Sharh fi tahgiq al-iksir"
273 pages of text; 24 lines per page 215x160 mm (Text: 12005 mm) Final dating (p.273) by Muhammad Riza b. 'Ali-Riza: Rabi' Il 1268 H / 1852 CE. -

Note

Transferred to Arabic manuscripts on medicine and science, MS 116, (Collection 1062). Available at the UCLA Biomed Department of Special Collections.
Box 2

Manuscript No. 31/27 Mihdi b. Asadullah Rashti Lahijani (faqih of the "Shaykhiyah")

Scope and Content Note

"Kitab tajlid" (Persian); reply to questions regarding disobedience of Adam, rank of 'Ali, various Quranic suras, etc. - Black half leather binding. - 335 pages of text; 12 lines per page 170x110 mm (Text: 120x75 nun) Composed Rajab 1299 H / 1882 CE; original copied by Khudadad b. Marhamat-Panah in Ziy al-Qa'da 1319 H /1902 CE. -
Box 2

Manuscript No. 32/28 Zayn al-'Abidin-Khan Kirmani

Scope and Content Note

(1276-1360 H / 1859-1942 CE; younger brother of Muhammad-Khan Kirmani, fifth leader of the Shaykhiyah father of the present-day leader Sarkar-Aqa; cf. Corbin, pp.37-39)
"Sharh al-da'awat" (Commentaries on Imam'Af b. Musa; Arabic). -
Fine black leather binding w. ornamental borders and five ornamental medallions (each) w. arabesques. - 414 pages of text; 15 lines per page (large, clear, easily legible script) 215x165 mm (Text: 150x105 mm) Copy of the original composed in 1340 H / 1921/22 CE, prepared by 'Abd al-Husayn b. 'Abd al-Karim Kirmani in Sha'ban 1342 H / 1924 CE in Dar al-Aman in Kirman. -
Box 5

Manuscript No. 33/#51 Ahmad b. Muhammad Maydani Nishaburi (great Iranian arabist of the 6./12. cent.)

Scope and Content Note

"Majma' al-amthal" (Arabic), contains 6,000 Arabic figures of speech and proverbs in alphabetical order. -
Fine black leather binding w. ornaments. - 670 pages of text; 22 lines per page 270x160 mm (Text: 180x90 mm) Lavish, complete copy for the "Shaykhiyah" of 1258 H / 1842 CE. -
Box 2

Manuscript No. 34/29 Collection of 3 works, prose & poetry, in red leather binding w. ornaments (Arabic & Persian); very beautiful calligraphy.

Scope and Content Note

Contents:
  • 1) "Shark-i qasidah-yi Hamyari": a qasidah by Sayyid Isma'il Hamyari in the original Arabic (red) w. Persian translation & commentary (black), 1-43; dated 1255 H / 1839 CE.
  • 2) Jamal al-Din Khwansari: "Risalah dar sharp-i ahadith" (Persian), pp. 44-123
  • 3) 'Ali b. Hasan al-Arrani (one of the teachers of Sayyid Kazim Rashti): "Risalah manzum ft usul al-fiqh" (Arabic verses); 126-182; dated 1256 H / 1840 CE. - 182 pages of text; 22 + 10 lines per page; poetry in 2 columns 165x100 mm (texts: appr. 115x45 mm) Dated (pp.43, 182) 1255/56 H 1839/40 CE; most probably written by'Abd al-Samad Hamadani (s. no.30) w. his seals. -
Box 5

Manuscript No. 35/#52

Scope and Content Note

Imam Ja'far Sadiq (6th Imam, it is he who is cited by Shaykh Ahmad Ahsa'i and the Shaykhis with regard to the ma'ad issue that is so central to them: cf. also No's 15, 16, 36)
"Misbah al-shari'ah wa miftah al-haqiqah" (Arabic), 100 chapters (bab) in excellent calligraphy w. (red) titles and beautiful, two-colored leather binding with stamped ornamental borders. -
141 pages of text; 12 lines per page 140 x 95 mm (Text: 95 x 45 mm) Not dated. - Most probably hand-written by Kazim-Khan Kirmani, third leader of the "Shaykhiyah" (s.No's 5-17). -
Box 5

Manuscript No. 36/#53 Muhammad Baqir al-Majlisi

Scope and Content Note

(died 1111 H / 1700 CE; famous Mujtahid of Isfahan, quoted as 'prime evidence' for their cause by Ahsa'i and his followers regarding the great dispute about the 'physical resurrection' (ma'ad jismani; cf. also H.Corbin, p.20)
"Zad al-ma 'ad" (Waybread of the resurrection; Persian with Arabic inserts);
illuminated exquisite script w. multi-colored floral ornaments & text on golden background (opening pages, 1/2); lacquered binding w. floral designs (somewhat damaged), leather. - 703 pages of text (appendix: 695-703); 15 lines per page 195 x 120 mm (Text: 145 x 80 mm) Copy of the original composed in in 1107 H / 1696 CE, prepared in Dhu al-Qa'dah 1221 H / 1807 CE. -
Box 5

Manuscript No. 37/#54 Shaykh Jalil al-Mufazzal

Scope and Content Note

(Authority on Hadith, preferred and championed by the Shaykhis; cf. H.Corbin, pp. 53 ff., 56 ff., on the importance of one bab-hadith preserved for the Shaykhiyah by Mufazzal)
"Kitab-i tawhid" (Persian translation of the Arabic original of Muhammad Baqir Majlisi, s.a.); a calligraphic masterpiece; fine brown leather binding w. ornaments. -
181 pages of text; 16 lines per page 175 x 110 mm (Text: 130 x 60 mm) Copy of the original Majlisi translation of 1094 H / 1683 CE by the calligrapher, Muhsin b. Habib al-Jarbadigani w. dedication to Prince Amir Isma'il-Mirza (follower of the "Shaykhiyah") in Shawal 1277 H / 1861 CE. -
Box 3

Manuscript No. 38/30 Muhammad Ibrahim b. Muhammad Hasan al-Khurasani (faqih; prominent early follower of the teachings of Shaykh Ahmad AhsaI)

Scope and Content Note

"Kitab irshad al-mustarshidin" (Persian), clear and even script w. (red) marked passages; includes "Kitab al-zakat" (pp.273-351) and "Kitab al-i'tiqaf" (pp. 351-357). -
Black leather binding w. ornaments (damaged). - 357 pages of text (& appendix pp.357 ff. & marginalia); 20 lines per page 220 x 145 mm (Text: 150 x 80 mm) Dated (p.273) Rabi' 111256 H / 1840 CE by the scribe, Husayn Najaf-Abadi. -
Box 3

Manuscript No. 38/31 "Khulasah yi 'agayid-i Shaykhiyah" (Persian)

Scope and Content Note

a sort of quintessence of the views of the "Shaykhiyah" presented in autographs by eminent Shaykhis, such as Imad al-'Ulama', Haaj Sidq al-Mulk, Prince (hazrat-i wala) Kamal al-Dawlah, Sadiq Khaqan, et al. -
Black leather binding. - Great and valuable rarity in terms of subject matter as well: definition and discussion of fundamental technical terms (from a Shaykhi perspective), such as: shari'ah - tariqah - haqiqah (cf. Corbin, p.37: "positive religion, mystical view, spiritual realisation") - ma'rifah- imtiyaz-i rah-i hagq az batil. - Typology: Sufi - mujtahid - mutakallim - 'arif - hakim - muqallid. - Explanation of the terms: 'Islam - 'iman - 'iqan - kufr - shirk etc. 129 pages of text (& blank pages); 15-18 lines per page 170 x 105 mm (Texts: appr. 120 x 75 mm) Not dated; collection of autographs identified by name (s.a.). -
Box 5

Manuscript No. 40/#55 Collection of two treatises on logic (Arabic), leather binding w. ornaments

Scope and Content Note

  • 1) Qaytas b.'Abbas: "Shark al-mantiq" (pp. 1-112), dated 1235 H / 1819/20 CE
  • 2) 'Ali b. Hasan al-Arrani (cf. no. 34 c): "Risalah sadiqiyah fi ummihat al-masa'il al-mantiqiyah" (pp. 113-319), dated 1235 H / 1819/20 CE
319 pages of text; 18 lines per page 210 x 155 mm (Text: 140 x 90 mm) Dated (pp. 112, 319): 1235 H / 1819/20 CE
Box 5

Manuscript No. 41/#56 Katibi Qazwini (author) & Qutb al-Razi (commentator)

Scope and Content Note

"Kitab sharh al-shamsiyah" (Arabic); w. introduction (1-12) and countless marginalia in exquisite miniscule script (signed "'Imad"); calligraphic masterpiece of AhsaTs friend Qadir b. Muhammad Jawad Muhammad Tahir (s. no. l) w. numerous (red and red-black) ornamental titles and marked passages; complete & very well preserved. -
Leather binding.- 397 pages of text; 23 + 12 lines per page (no comments in margins) 220 x 130 mm (Main text: 130 x 65 mm) Dated (p.397) 1224 H / 1809 CE; calligrapher: Qadir Muhammad Tahir b. Muhammad Jawad Taliqani (s.a.; signed and bearing several seals). -
Box 3

Manuscript No. 42/32 Hasan b al-Mutahhar (author) & 'Abdullah b. Muhammad (commentator) & Qadir b. Muhammad Jawad Muhammad Tahir (s.a.; calligrapher)

Scope and Content Note

"Tahzib al-wusul fi 'ilm al-'usul" w. commentary "Maniyat al-labib" (Arabic); calligraphically excquisite script in fine red leather binding w. ornaments. - Fundamental work of the "Shaykhiyah" (cf. Ms. No. 39, p.87 !), donated by the scribe, Qadir Muhammad Tahir (w. a dedication of 12 lines' length, P.1). -
542 pages of text; 19 lines per page (exquisite Nasta'liq w. titles in red & black) 210 x 150 mm (Text: 160 x 85 mm) Dated (p.542) Shawal 1229 H / 1814 CE by Qadir Muhammad Tahir b. Muhammad Jawad (signed)
Box 5

Manuscript No. 43/&57 "Kitab sharh al-du'a wa ziyarat wa al-munajat" (Arabic)

Scope and Content Note

an anthology of meditations (w. added extensive comments); fine script (vocalized) w. (red) titles and marked passages. -
Leather binding w. ornaments. Six-colored paper. - 263 pages of text; 12 lines per page 160 x 75 mm (Text: 110 x 45 mm) Dated (p.263) Safar 1291 H / 1874 CE; written by Muhsin Riza Razawi. -