Abdullah ibn ‘Umar ibn Muhammad al-Badawi (d.1286-87 AD), Anwar al-tanzil wa asrar al-ta’wil, a commentary on the Qur’an, probably Persia or Iraq, Timurid, late 14th/early 15th century

Arabic manuscript on paper, 307 leaves, plus 2 flyleaves, 23 lines to the page, written in small black naskh script, keywords picked out in red, catchwords, copious marginal glosses throughout in various hands, numerous loose paper slips with various annotations and inscriptions, f.1a with an illuminated frontispiece in colours and gold giving title and author in large white thuluth script, following page with illuminated heading with bismillah in gold thuluth script, Mamluk binding with pressure-moulded doublures and tooled and punched geometric decoration, with flap

Seal impression of a certain Ibrahim ibn Muhammad, late 15th-early 16th century.

In fair overall condition, one board detached from binding, spine and flap repaired on worn binding, thumbed, occasional crude marginal paper repairs, some staining to leaf edges, 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."

This commentary on the Qur'an, popularly known as Tasfir al-Badawi, is al-Badawi's major work, the earliest copy recorded is in the British Library and is dated 895 AH/1498 AD (P. Stocks and C. Baker, 2001, pp.13-14, no.A.3.). Other copies are in the Chester Beatty Library (Arberry 1962, nos.4052, 4188 and 4207) and in the John Rylands Library (Mingana 1934, p.57, no.60). See also Brockelmann: GAL, I. 417; suppl. I. 738.