Top of page

View 2 images in sequence.

About this Item

Title

  • Qur'anic verses

Created / Published

  • 9th century

Headings

  • -  Calligraphy, Arabic
  • -  Manuscripts, Arabic--Washington (D.C.)
  • -  Arabian Peninsula
  • -  Iraq
  • -  Arabic script calligraphy
  • -  Illuminated Islamic manuscripts
  • -  Islamic calligraphy
  • -  Islamic manuscripts
  • -  Kufi
  • -  Qur'anic verses

Notes

  • -  Qur'anic verses 49-66 of the 26th chapter of the Qur'an entitled al-Shu'ara' (The Poets), written in the Kufi script is close to syle D.IV, during the 9th century.
  • -  Dimensions of Written Surface: 11 (w) x 7 (h) cm
  • -  Surat al-Shu'ara' initiates a series of chapters (26-29) that describe various communities and their reactions to prophets of the past. This surah in particular presents the stories of Moses, Abraham, and Noah and the perishing of their peoples due to disbelief. Moses' splitting of the Red Sea is described in one verse:
  • -  The script, layout, and red verse markers on this fragment resemble another fragment in the collections of the Library of Congress (1-84-154.20c R & V).
  • -  The text on the recto is executed on the flesh side of the parchment. As a result, the ink has worn off substantially. The Kufi script is close to syle D.IV (Déroche 1992: 89, cat. no. 40), a writing style found on horizontal Qur'ans produced during the 9th century. Red dots represent vocalization, and two red circles at verses 50 and 60 were added later to mark off groups of ten verses.
  • -  The verso of this calligraphic fragment includes verses 67-87 of al-Shu'ara' (The Poets). The text continues verses 49-66 on the folio's recto (1-84-154.20a R). In conclusion, referring to the drowning of Moses' people, the Qur'an states:
  • -  Then We told Moses by inspiration: / "Strike the sea with your rod." / So it divided, and each separate part / became like the huge, firm mass of a mountain. (26:63)
  • -  This calligraphic fragment includes verses 49-66 of the 26th chapter of the Qur'an entitled al-Shu'ara' (The Poets). The text continues with verses 67-87 on the folio's verso (1-84-154.20a V).
  • -  Verily this is a sign, but most of them do not believe. / And verily your Lord is He, the Exalted in Might, Most Merciful. (26:67-68)
  • -  Script: Kufi
  • -  1-84-154.20a

Medium

  • 1 volume ; 14.9 (w) cm x 11.3 (h) cm

Repository

  • Library of Congress African and Middle Eastern Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA

Digital Id

Library of Congress Control Number

  • 2019714710

Online Format

  • pdf
  • image

Additional Metadata Formats

IIIF Presentation Manifest

Rights & Access

The contents of the Library of Congress Selections of Arabic, Persian, and Ottoman Calligraphy are in the public domain or have no known copyright restrictions and are free to use and reuse.

Credit Line: Library of Congress, African and Middle East Division, Near East Section Persian Manuscript Collection

Cite This Item

Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.

Chicago citation style:

Qur'anic Verses. 9th Century. Manuscript/Mixed Material. https://www.loc.gov/item/2019714710/.

APA citation style:

Qur'anic Verses. 9th Century. [Manuscript/Mixed Material] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2019714710/.

MLA citation style:

Qur'anic Verses. 9th Century. Manuscript/Mixed Material. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2019714710/>.