Manuscripts: Qur’ans

MAHS-MDV-HAF-IVD-S-001-O-0046

Each volume in this set of ten contains the complete text of Surat al-Kahf (18). This MS was found in the Hirigalu Miskiyy in Ihavandhoo (Haa Alif). It is stored in a wooden box (HAF-IVD-1-SO1) with a removable lid and brass lock (no longer functional, and the key has been lost). The interior of the box is divided into three sections, and appears to have been originally constructed to house 10 sections (Ar. juz’/ajza’) each of a Qurʾān MS, complete in 30 sections according to a traditional liturgical division (HAF-IVD-1-MS1). The eight volumes of this MS appear to have simply been tucked in alongside the longer text for safekeeping. Each volume contains paper pages (without watermark) sewn and bound with covers of indigo-dyed cloth.Text in black ink, with simple black circles containing a black dot to mark the divisions between verses. Red ink used for the chapter (sura) heading at the start of volume one, presenting it’s name, its revelation in Mekka, and the number of verses. Every volume except for v.9 contains a short colophon at the end containing the name of the scribe and date. Vol. 1 contains uncorrected scribal errors at verses 68, 69, 77, and 102.