A Beginner’s Companion to Arabic Manuscripts

Description

"A Beginner’s Companion to Arabic Manuscripts" by Muntasir Zaman is an accessible and practical guide designed to introduce students and researchers to the foundational skills needed for engaging with classical Arabic manuscripts. Adapted from a ten-day intensive course by Shaykh Ṣāliḥ al-Azharī, a seasoned curator at the Egyptian National Library, the book distills essential concepts and practices from the field of codicology into a concise, user-friendly format. It covers key topics such as manuscript structure, scribal terminology, writing styles, marginalia, audition certificates (ṭibāq al-samāʿ), and the stages of manuscript production. The guide also offers insights into identifying scribes, understanding dating conventions, and preparing manuscripts for editing. By combining theoretical explanations with practical examples and illustrations, Zaman aims to demystify the world of Arabic manuscripts and equip readers with the tools to navigate these rich historical resources. This companion serves as a stepping stone for further study and encourages a deeper appreciation of the manuscript tradition in Islamic scholarship.