Q. 3 (University Library, Cambridge University)
E. G. Browne Collection
Contents
Summary of Contents: اسرار قاسمی A Persian treatise on the Five Occult Sciences (علوم خمسه محتجبه) called Kimiyá
(Alchemy), Límiyá, Himiyá, Símiyá and Rímiyá, the initials of which give the words
Kulluhu Sirr ("All of it is Mystery"). A lithographed edition of this book
appeared at Bombay in 1302/1885. This MS. has lost the first leaf, but comparison with the lithographed edition
shows that only 84 lines are missing at the beginning, the opening words being: رایحه روضه رضوان بود
چون جان بود .... In a short preface the author enumerates the five occult sciences and the chief
works on each, and defines their scope. Kimiyá (Alchemy) is that which treats of
the production of the Elixir and the Transmutation of Metals, and on which Jaldaki,
Majriti, Khalid [ibn Yazid]. Tughra'i, "Hadrat-i-Mawlawd" (ie. Jalalud-Din
Rúmí), Sultán Walad and others have written. Next comes the science of Talismans
(presumably Límiyá, though this word is not mentioned), defined as "that science
whereby is known the method of mating the Active Superior with the Passive
Inferior Powers, so that some strange action may be produced; and this they call
the Alchemy of Talismans." The third, called Himiyá, is the science of
Subjugation or Control (Ilm-i-Taskhir), and deals with Planetary Influences,
Spells, Incantations, Control of the Jinn, and the like. The fourth, called Símiyá,
deals with the Control of the Imagination for the evocation of forms which have
no outward or independent existence, and appears to be equivalent to Mesmerism
and Hypnotism. The fifth and last is Rímiyá, which appears to be mere Conjuring
or Leger de Main (Ilm-i-Shu'bada). Amongst the authors and books dealing with
the last, or the last two sciences, are Khusraw Sháh, Ibn 'Iráqí, Abú 'Abdi'lláh
al-Maghribi (Siḥru'l-Uyún, also known as the Lubáb of Ibnu'l-Hallaj), and Hakim
Abu'l-Qasim Aḥmad as-Samáwi (Uyúnu'l-Haqa'iq and Anfáhu't-Tariq). The last
two "great masters" (Buzurgán) are said to have translated from the Greek into
Arabic, and, apparently, are credited with the invention of that cabbalistic secret
writing of which the author of this book also makes use to disguise from profane
eyes certain words which should not be known save to Adepts, and those whom
they trust, according to the verse: بيجرعه غم كسى بجامی نرسد تا خون نشود دلی بکامی نرسد
از گلشن حکمت گلستان هنر بوئی که دهد بهر مشامی نرسد
The soi-disant author, Husayn ibn 'Ali al-Wa'iz al-Kashifi (d. 910/1504-5),
dedicates the book to Sayyid Qasimu'l-Anwár (d. 837/1433-4). Some account of
these two men will be found in my Persian Literature under Tartar Dominion,
PP. 503-504 and 473–486. From the chronological point of view it seems almost
impossible that this authorship and this dedication can be genuine, and E. Edwards
(Cat. of Persian Books in the British Museum, cols. 278-279) is no doubt right in
regarding this attribution as false, for Qásimu'l-Anwár, on whom are bestowed
laudatory titles innumerable, is spoken of as still living. This MS., acquired in Nov. 1920 in the fourth partition of the Belshah collection,
was transcribed by Áqá Bábá Sháhmírzáda, son of Mullá Muḥammad Mahdi, who
copied many books for Prince Bahman Mirzá Bahá'u'd-Dawla, and was completed
on Shawwál 14, 1268/Dec. 9, 1851. It comprises 172 ff. of 21'9 x 13'7 c. and 20 ll.,
and is written in a clear, good naskh. At the end is a table of the cabbalistic letters
in red, with their Arabic equivalents in black. Though entitled "Greek writing (قلم یونانی) and Syriac writing (قلم سریانی ), these letters bear no resemblance to any known script.
(Alchemy), Límiyá, Himiyá, Símiyá and Rímiyá, the initials of which give the words
Kulluhu Sirr ("All of it is Mystery"). A lithographed edition of this book
appeared at Bombay in 1302/1885. This MS. has lost the first leaf, but comparison with the lithographed edition
shows that only 84 lines are missing at the beginning, the opening words being: رایحه روضه رضوان بود
چون جان بود .... In a short preface the author enumerates the five occult sciences and the chief
works on each, and defines their scope. Kimiyá (Alchemy) is that which treats of
the production of the Elixir and the Transmutation of Metals, and on which Jaldaki,
Majriti, Khalid [ibn Yazid]. Tughra'i, "Hadrat-i-Mawlawd" (ie. Jalalud-Din
Rúmí), Sultán Walad and others have written. Next comes the science of Talismans
(presumably Límiyá, though this word is not mentioned), defined as "that science
whereby is known the method of mating the Active Superior with the Passive
Inferior Powers, so that some strange action may be produced; and this they call
the Alchemy of Talismans." The third, called Himiyá, is the science of
Subjugation or Control (Ilm-i-Taskhir), and deals with Planetary Influences,
Spells, Incantations, Control of the Jinn, and the like. The fourth, called Símiyá,
deals with the Control of the Imagination for the evocation of forms which have
no outward or independent existence, and appears to be equivalent to Mesmerism
and Hypnotism. The fifth and last is Rímiyá, which appears to be mere Conjuring
or Leger de Main (Ilm-i-Shu'bada). Amongst the authors and books dealing with
the last, or the last two sciences, are Khusraw Sháh, Ibn 'Iráqí, Abú 'Abdi'lláh
al-Maghribi (Siḥru'l-Uyún, also known as the Lubáb of Ibnu'l-Hallaj), and Hakim
Abu'l-Qasim Aḥmad as-Samáwi (Uyúnu'l-Haqa'iq and Anfáhu't-Tariq). The last
two "great masters" (Buzurgán) are said to have translated from the Greek into
Arabic, and, apparently, are credited with the invention of that cabbalistic secret
writing of which the author of this book also makes use to disguise from profane
eyes certain words which should not be known save to Adepts, and those whom
they trust, according to the verse: بيجرعه غم كسى بجامی نرسد تا خون نشود دلی بکامی نرسد
از گلشن حکمت گلستان هنر بوئی که دهد بهر مشامی نرسد
The soi-disant author, Husayn ibn 'Ali al-Wa'iz al-Kashifi (d. 910/1504-5),
dedicates the book to Sayyid Qasimu'l-Anwár (d. 837/1433-4). Some account of
these two men will be found in my Persian Literature under Tartar Dominion,
PP. 503-504 and 473–486. From the chronological point of view it seems almost
impossible that this authorship and this dedication can be genuine, and E. Edwards
(Cat. of Persian Books in the British Museum, cols. 278-279) is no doubt right in
regarding this attribution as false, for Qásimu'l-Anwár, on whom are bestowed
laudatory titles innumerable, is spoken of as still living. This MS., acquired in Nov. 1920 in the fourth partition of the Belshah collection,
was transcribed by Áqá Bábá Sháhmírzáda, son of Mullá Muḥammad Mahdi, who
copied many books for Prince Bahman Mirzá Bahá'u'd-Dawla, and was completed
on Shawwál 14, 1268/Dec. 9, 1851. It comprises 172 ff. of 21'9 x 13'7 c. and 20 ll.,
and is written in a clear, good naskh. At the end is a table of the cabbalistic letters
in red, with their Arabic equivalents in black. Though entitled "Greek writing (قلم یونانی) and Syriac writing (قلم سریانی ), these letters bear no resemblance to any known script.
Physical Description
Form: codex
Support: Paper
Extent: Ff. 172
Dimensions: 21.9 × 13.7 cm.
Layout
20 lines
Hand(s)
Written in a clear, good naskh script.
History
Origin: 1286 AH; 1851 CE
Provenance and Acquisition
This MS., acquired in Nov. 1920 in the fourth partition of the Belshah collection, was transcribed by Áqá Bábá Sháhmírzáda, son of Mullá Muḥammad Mahdi, who copied many books for Prince Bahman Mirzá Bahá'd-Dawla.
Bequest of E. G. Browne.
Record Sources
Summary, physical description and provenance copied from R. A. Nicholson: A descriptive catalogue of the Oriental MSS belonging to the late E.G. Browne. Cambridge, 1932.
Availability
Entry to read in the Library is permitted only on presentation of a valid reader's card for admissions procedures contact Cambridge University Library Admissions). Contact near_eastern@lib.cam.ac.uk for further information on the availability of this manuscript
Funding of Cataloguing
JISC
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