Rare Sub-Saharan Qur'an, signed by Muhammad Bashir Muhammad bin Hassan ibn 'Umar. by [QUR'AN]

Possibly Harrar, Ethiopia, dated 13 Rabi' I 1256 AH (May 1840 AD). . Single volume, illustrated manuscript on laid paper watermarked with a triple crescent moon, in Arabic, 219pp, 330 x 220 mm; single column, 15 lines stylised naskh script in a thick black ink, some diacritics and vocalisation in red, contemporary annotations throughout in orange, often forming geometric patterns in the margins, opening two surah copied in circular text-blocks framed within bold geometric decorations formed of half-circles and triangles with checkered colouring extending into the margins, catch-words throughout, some thumbing to outer margins, a few light scuffs and stains, one loose leaf at the end of the volume; contemporary camel, corner pieces and central medallions stamped to covers in blind, crudely rebacked and lower edge repaired in a light tan leather, covers worn.
islam24 06 Rare example of a bound manuscript Qur'an copied and produced in Sub-Saharan Africa, likely Harrar in Ethiopia, where manuscript Qur'ans are frequently presented as loose folios in a carrying-case. Although Harrar and this region of Eastern Ethiopia had become a centre of Islam by the mid-eighteenth century, manuscripts from this area are exceptionally scarce with very few examples surviving in collections worldwide.

The border designs of the opening two surah are reminiscent of Egyptian Mamluk Qur'ans and the script is a distinctive mix of the informal naskh script of Eastern Africa and bihari script of India, resulting in a highly stylised Arabic example of calligraphy. These characteristics in the script demonstrate cross-cultural influence through trade routes established between India, Southern Arabia and Eastern Africa and provide insight into the history of Islamic scribal practices in the region.

For another example of a Harari Qur'an see 'QUR706' in the Khalili Collection, copied in Shawwal 1162 AH (1749 AD) by Sa'ad ibn Adish Umar ad-Din.