I’ve been on about ancient prints (and a translation) of the Holy Quran in my last two inputs… one 300 year old edition, and one of the first (if not the first) direct english translation, as well as an 800 year old arabic Quran, which clearly show that the Quran has remained the same in all this time… a message, still as valid today as it was 1400 years ago.
Before moving away from this topic. I wanted to take the opportunity to show you a manuscript that has been dated to sometime between the years 800-899… that’s very close to the time of the Prophet, صلى الله عليه وسلم…
However, when I saw the manuscript, my first reaction was… that can’t be arabic… or is it… ? Confusion, coming from someone who learned the arabic alphabet later in his life… (I had to reassure myself that the information I saw was indeed the arabic language.)
Since I know that my current followers know the arabic language, people who have grown up knowing it… I’m interested to know… what is your reaction after seeing this? Are you able to “decipher” what this picture is saying? Then again, maybe it is more easy for you than it was for me. Hint hint, nudge nudge… yes, I am presenting you with a challenge.
The information I found along with this manuscript also offers a clue as to what we’re seeing… “This calligraphic fragment includes verses 10-11 of the 48th chapter of the Qurʼan, entitled Surat al-Fath (Victory).” (For those interested, the 1200 year old manuscript can be downloaded here.)
With the above hint, I was able to compare and see just what parts of aya 10 and 11 this is. I will give the answer here below, (in the same order as the lines on the picture), so if you want to figure it out by yourself, don’t peek….
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اللَّهَ فَسَيُؤْتِيهِ
أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا
سَيَقُولُ لَكَ
الْمُخَلَّفُونَ مِنَ
الْأَعْرَابِ
شَغَلَتْنَا أَمْوَالُنَا
وَأَهْلُونَا
Surah Al-Fath 10-11
… Allah will soon grant him a great Reward.
The desert Arabs who lagged behind will say to thee: “We were engaged in (looking after) our flocks and herds, and our families …
Were you able to understand the manuscript without reading the answer?
It was a fun bit of challenge for me at any rate. With my limited skills in the arabic language, (at the moment of writing this)… I felt it was quite an accomplishment. Good practice.
رَّبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا .
The best of times to you all inshallah, my thoughts are with you.
Peace and happiness, and stay faithful.
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