Or 16204 (Oriental Manuscripts, British Library)

A very rare commentary on Lavā’iḥ, a Sufi metaphysical work in prose by ‘Abd al-Raḥmān Jāmī (d. 895/1492). By Muḥammad Sharif ibn Niẓām al-Dīn al-‘Alavī al-Haravī (see preface, f. 1v).

The present commentary, whose author’s name features prominently in the preface, does not appear to be recorded in published catalogues. Nevertheless, in view of the late date of this copy, it would be surprising if it were the only surviving one. It comprises 27 sections called lā’iḥa, reflecting the structure of Jāmī’s text itself. Muḥammad Sharīf provides a commentary on the metaphysical as well as the literal level. Two different works entitled Sharḥ-i Lavāyiḥ, by unknown authors, are listed in FNKhF II/1, p. 1254.

Preface begins: Basmala al-Ḥamd li-Llāh ‘alà na‘māyih va l-ṣalāt va l-salām ‘alà Sayyid al-Khalq Muḥammad al-maẓhar al-atamm va aḥibbāyihi Ammā ba‘d chunīn gūyad banda-’i ża‘īf ... ki ba-sabab-i iltimās-i ba ‘żī az ikhvān-i ṣafā va khillān-i bā-vafā ki ba-ta‘allum-i kitāb-i Lavāyiḥ

Commentary begins: Basmala La uḥṣī sanā’an ‘alayk Ya‘nī shumār kardan namītavānam sanā-rā ki ‘ibādat az iẓhār-i kamāl-i maḥmūd ba-ṣifāt-i jalāl va nu‘ūt-i kamāl bar vajh-i ta‘ẓīm va ijlālast bar Tū bar sabīl-i tafṣīl az ān ki muḥālast ki mumkin-i mutanāhī iḥṣā-yi ghayr-i mutanāhī namāyad

Ends: Bas kunam īn zīrakān-rā īn bas ast * bāng-i dū kardam agar dar dah kas ast * Fanẓurū yā zā l-abṣār va ‘tabirū yā ūlī l-i‘tibār fa-inn al-dunyā qanṭarat al-sālikīn va maḥall al-‘ibra lil-‘ārifīn va mawżū‘ ghurūr al-jāhilīn va l-Ḥamd li-Llāh ... va l-ṣalāt va l-salām ...

Other contents: f. 1r, title inscription, written by Aḥmad ‘Alī.

Colophon, f. 131r. Copied, evidently in India, by ‘Ālam Shīr Khan, and dated 5 Shavvāl 1313/20 March 1896.

Nasta‘līq. 11 lines. There are a few corrections by the scribe in the margins. A highly unusual feature of the present manuscript is that the catchwords are written at the bottom of the verso sides. Red headings and overlinings. Text frames in red, on f. 1-40 only (none thereafter). Green paper, with fore-edges stippled with red. 127 folios. 215 x 135 mm.; text area 175 x 80 mm. Half brown leather binding; boards covered with blue cloth.

Donated by Mr Baber Siddiki, March 2006.