D. 16 (University Library, Cambridge University)
E. G. Browne Collection
Contents
Summary of Contents: مطاعن الصوفيه A violent attack on the Súfis and their doctrines entitled Mata inu's-Súfiyya,
composed in Ramadán, 1221/Nov.-Dec. 1806 (f. 27b), by Muhammad Rafi' ibn
Muhammad Shafi' of Tabriz (f. 5a). This MS., which appears to be an autograph,
was completed on the 22nd of Jumádà II, 1222/27 August, 1807, and was one of
those bought by me from the late Hajji 'Abdu'l-Majid Belshah in January, 1920. It comprises 176 ff. of 21 x 15'5 c. and 22 ll., and is written in a small, neat naskh
with rubrications. The actual text begins, after the Arabic doxology: ... اما بعد به ارباب بصیرت مخفی نیست که همواره شیطان در اغوای بنی نوع انسان کمال
سعی و اهتمام و در تخریب بنیان دین و ایمان کوشش تمام دارد الخ A full table of contents occupying four pages and a half (ff. 1-3) is prefixed, of
which the following is a summary. Introduction (f. 5). The vanity and heresy of the Súfi doctrine proved by
traditions derived from the Imáms, the unanimous opinion of the Shí'a, and the
considered judgment of the theological doctors, both Shi'a and Sunni, including
amongst the former the Shaykh-i-Mufid, al-Kulayní, Ibn Bábawayhi, at-Túsí,
Alamul-Huda, Sayyid Murtadà ar-Rázi, Alláma-i-Hilli, Ibn Hamza, Shaykh
Ali Abdu'l-Ál, his son Shaykh Hasan, etc.; of the moderns Mullá Aḥmad of
Ardabil, Mullá Mubammad Báqir-i-Majlisi, Sayyid Ni'matu'lláh al-Jazairi, etc.;
and of contemporaries Muḥammad Báqir of Bihbihán, Shaykh Yusuf al-Baḥrání,
and Shaykh Muḥammad Mahdi al-'Amilí. Amongst the Sunní doctors are
mentioned ad-Damirí, an-Nasafí, az-Zamakhshari, and Ruknu'd-Din 'Alá'u'd-Dawla-
i-Simnání. Chapter I (f. 21b). Why the Súfis were so called; when they first appeared;
and how their doctrines spread. Emphasis is laid on the fact that nearly all the
prominent Súfis were Sunnís, while they were held in detestation by the Shí'a. Chapter II (f. 31a). Concerning the doctrines and observances of these mis-
guided people. This chapter is chiefly taken from the Hadiga ("Garden") of Mullá
Aḥmad of Ardabil, and, in its latter part, from the 'Aynu'l-Hayát ("Fountain of
Life") of Mulla Muhammad Baqir-i-Majlisi. Twenty-one sects or schools of the
Súfis are specially discussed. Chapter III (f. 47a). Account of twenty of the leading Súfis, beginning with
Abú Hashim and Sufyanu'th-Thawri and ending with al-Hallaj, Shams-i-Tabriz,
and Mulla Şadrá of Shiraz, with a supplementary note (fakemil) on "the accursed Núr 'Alí." Chapter IV (f. 98b). Setting forth the evils of the doctrines and practices of
the Súfis, and their incompatibility with the Holy Law of Islám. This chapter is
divided into five sections (fa) and five topics (matlab). Chapter V (f. 154a). On the necessity of interpreting allegorically (ta wil)
certain traditions and verses of the Qur'an which appear to favour the opinions
and doctrines of the Súfis. (Ten such traditions and four such verses are dealt with.)
Conclusion (f. 172a). On the necessity of religious controversy, of enjoining
virtue and repressing vice, of avoiding intercourse with heretics and sinners, and of
cursing and repudiating such. This MS. was one of 47 bought of the late Hájjí 'Abdu'l-Majid Belshah in
January, 1920. It comprises 176 ff. of 21×15'5 c. and 22 ll., and is written in a small, neat Persian naskh with rubrications. The colophon, giving the dates of the
composition of the work and the completion of this copy, is as follows (f. 176a): ابن محمد شفیع محمد رفيع التبریزی حشرهما الله قد وقع الفراق (الفراغ (read) من تأليف هذه الرسالة الموسومة بمطاعن الصوفيه بيد مؤلّفها الفقير
المحتاج الى رحمة الله الغفور البديع
مع مواليهما
في شهر الله المبارك سنة احدى وعشرين بعد المائتين والالف الهجرية ١٢٢١
قد تم تسويدها فى الثانى والعشرين من شهر جمادى الثاني سنة اثنين وعشرين ومائتين بعد الالف من هجرة النبوية عليه وآله آلاف الثناء والتحية
composed in Ramadán, 1221/Nov.-Dec. 1806 (f. 27b), by Muhammad Rafi' ibn
Muhammad Shafi' of Tabriz (f. 5a). This MS., which appears to be an autograph,
was completed on the 22nd of Jumádà II, 1222/27 August, 1807, and was one of
those bought by me from the late Hajji 'Abdu'l-Majid Belshah in January, 1920. It comprises 176 ff. of 21 x 15'5 c. and 22 ll., and is written in a small, neat naskh
with rubrications. The actual text begins, after the Arabic doxology: ... اما بعد به ارباب بصیرت مخفی نیست که همواره شیطان در اغوای بنی نوع انسان کمال
سعی و اهتمام و در تخریب بنیان دین و ایمان کوشش تمام دارد الخ A full table of contents occupying four pages and a half (ff. 1-3) is prefixed, of
which the following is a summary. Introduction (f. 5). The vanity and heresy of the Súfi doctrine proved by
traditions derived from the Imáms, the unanimous opinion of the Shí'a, and the
considered judgment of the theological doctors, both Shi'a and Sunni, including
amongst the former the Shaykh-i-Mufid, al-Kulayní, Ibn Bábawayhi, at-Túsí,
Alamul-Huda, Sayyid Murtadà ar-Rázi, Alláma-i-Hilli, Ibn Hamza, Shaykh
Ali Abdu'l-Ál, his son Shaykh Hasan, etc.; of the moderns Mullá Aḥmad of
Ardabil, Mullá Mubammad Báqir-i-Majlisi, Sayyid Ni'matu'lláh al-Jazairi, etc.;
and of contemporaries Muḥammad Báqir of Bihbihán, Shaykh Yusuf al-Baḥrání,
and Shaykh Muḥammad Mahdi al-'Amilí. Amongst the Sunní doctors are
mentioned ad-Damirí, an-Nasafí, az-Zamakhshari, and Ruknu'd-Din 'Alá'u'd-Dawla-
i-Simnání. Chapter I (f. 21b). Why the Súfis were so called; when they first appeared;
and how their doctrines spread. Emphasis is laid on the fact that nearly all the
prominent Súfis were Sunnís, while they were held in detestation by the Shí'a. Chapter II (f. 31a). Concerning the doctrines and observances of these mis-
guided people. This chapter is chiefly taken from the Hadiga ("Garden") of Mullá
Aḥmad of Ardabil, and, in its latter part, from the 'Aynu'l-Hayát ("Fountain of
Life") of Mulla Muhammad Baqir-i-Majlisi. Twenty-one sects or schools of the
Súfis are specially discussed. Chapter III (f. 47a). Account of twenty of the leading Súfis, beginning with
Abú Hashim and Sufyanu'th-Thawri and ending with al-Hallaj, Shams-i-Tabriz,
and Mulla Şadrá of Shiraz, with a supplementary note (fakemil) on "the accursed Núr 'Alí." Chapter IV (f. 98b). Setting forth the evils of the doctrines and practices of
the Súfis, and their incompatibility with the Holy Law of Islám. This chapter is
divided into five sections (fa) and five topics (matlab). Chapter V (f. 154a). On the necessity of interpreting allegorically (ta wil)
certain traditions and verses of the Qur'an which appear to favour the opinions
and doctrines of the Súfis. (Ten such traditions and four such verses are dealt with.)
Conclusion (f. 172a). On the necessity of religious controversy, of enjoining
virtue and repressing vice, of avoiding intercourse with heretics and sinners, and of
cursing and repudiating such. This MS. was one of 47 bought of the late Hájjí 'Abdu'l-Majid Belshah in
January, 1920. It comprises 176 ff. of 21×15'5 c. and 22 ll., and is written in a small, neat Persian naskh with rubrications. The colophon, giving the dates of the
composition of the work and the completion of this copy, is as follows (f. 176a): ابن محمد شفیع محمد رفيع التبریزی حشرهما الله قد وقع الفراق (الفراغ (read) من تأليف هذه الرسالة الموسومة بمطاعن الصوفيه بيد مؤلّفها الفقير
المحتاج الى رحمة الله الغفور البديع
مع مواليهما
في شهر الله المبارك سنة احدى وعشرين بعد المائتين والالف الهجرية ١٢٢١
قد تم تسويدها فى الثانى والعشرين من شهر جمادى الثاني سنة اثنين وعشرين ومائتين بعد الالف من هجرة النبوية عليه وآله آلاف الثناء والتحية
Physical Description
Form: codex
Support: Paper
Extent: Ff. 176
Dimensions: 21 × 15.5 cm.
Layout
22 lines
Hand(s)
Small, neat Persian naskh with rubrications.
History
Origin: 1222 AH; 1807 CE
Provenance and Acquisition
Bought by me from the late Hajji 'Abdu'l-Majid Belshah in January, 1920.
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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