Lot 92
  • 92

Abu Hamid Muhammad Bin Muhammad Al-Ghazali (d.1111 AD), Ihya Ulum Al-Din ('The Revival of the Religious Sciences'), Volume III, al-muhlikat ('what leads to damnation'), Mamluk, Egypt or Syria, dated 822 AH/1419 AD

Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Ink & Gold on Paper
Arabic manuscript on orange and cream paper, 144 leaves plus 2 flyleaves, 33 lines to the page, written in Naskh script in black ink, headings in red, opening illuminated frontispiece with a heading in large white Thuluth script against a ground of gold scrolling flowers reserved against a blue ground, a large lobed rosette beneath with text within cloud bands, blue and gold roundels at each corner, within strapwork borders, brown morocco binding with tooled medallions and floral borders

Condition

In generally good overall condition, one quire slightly loose in centre of the manuscript, pages generally clean and ink strong, illumination bright, binding with various cracks, abrasions and repair to spine, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

This manuscript is the third volume out of four of what is considered Ghazali's greatest work. "This is the work of which it is said that if all other books on the religion of Islam had perished , this loss would not be felt so long as the precious Ihya' survived", see A. Mingana, Catalogue of the Arabic Manuscripts in the John Rylands Library, Manchester, 1934, p.88, no.73[223].

For further information regarding the Ihya Ulum Al-Din, see footnote to lot 89.