Muhammad Ibn Isma'il al-Bukhari, al-Jami' al-Sahih, (On Piety and Law), Egypt or Syria, Mamluk, 14th century

Arabic manuscript on paper, 40 leaves plus 2 flyleaves, first and last folios replaced, 31 lines to the page, written in naskh script in dark brown ink, guide lines scored on the page, chapters marked with the word 'bab' picked out in gold, beginnings of hadith in larger brown naskh, one leaf with 15th-century seal impression, marginal glosses and alternate readings in smaller script, catchwords, modern leather binding

"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."

Born in Bukhara in 810 AD, Muhammad Ibn Isma'il al-Bukhari wrote his al-Jami' al-Sahih (now prominently known as the Sahih Al-Bukhari, 'The Sound Collection') as a compilation of 7,397 traditions selected from the 600,000 hadith that were extant in his time (The Encyclopaedia of Islam, H.A.R. Gibb et al (eds.), vol.I, Leiden, 1986, p.1296). After making the pilgrimage to Mecca, al-Bukhari travelled all over the 'Abbasid Empire, attempting to gather the traditions of the Prophet. Many regard al-Bukhari's Sahih second only to the Qur'an in terms of importance and sacredness.

The present manuscript, demonstrating a neat, carefully-spaced hand, is likely to have been produced for an important institution, hence the unusually large size, intended for recitation. Whilst Qur'ans of monumental proportions existed during the Mamluk period (see M. Fraser and W. Kwiatkowski, Ink and Gold, Islamic Calligraphy, London, 2006, pp.102-3, no.28, and lot 22 in this sale), non-Qur'anic texts of this size are very rare.

For a further Mamluk-period copy of al-Bukhari's Sahih, in the Tareq Rajab Museum, Kuwait, see N. Safwat, The Harmony of Letters, Kuwait, 1997, p.51.