The Dala’il al-Khayrat is a collection of prayers & blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ composed by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Sulayman al-Jazuli in the 15th century.
The book is also renowned for its beauty.
For Ramadan, here are 24 exquisite examples across the world
A thread…
1/ Dala’il al-Khayrat, Muharram 1233/AD November 1818, Kashmir
This manuscript has previously been identified as Ottoman, but it reflects the tradition of Dala’il al-Khayrats from Kashmir and general manuscript production from that region
The name of the scribe is Khan Yunus Khan Bahu. It includes two illustrations of Mecca and Medina, which are very fine and decorated with little details from local architecture, or works of art.
Created for Üsküdar-i Muhammad ‘Aden-I, scribed by Ibrahim al-Hafiz, scribe: Ibrahim al-Hafiz. The Dala’il contains a selection of prayers meant as blessings upon Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Manuscript comprising a compendium of devotional works, including the Dala'il al-Khayrat (Guides to Good Things) by al-Jazuli. Copied by Hafiz Faydullah/Hakkakzade (Turkey).
Double page illustration of Mecca and Medina. The various stations and features of the sacred mosques of Mecca and Medina are marked on the drawing in nastaliq script.
By Mehmed Reja’i, student of Ibrahim Rodosi. With several illustrations & diagrams, including Mecca & Medina, the tombs of the first Caliphs, the minbar of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH), the Tree of Paradise.
13/ Dala’il al-Khayrat, 1801-1802, India, or possibly Mecca by Indian artists
Contains a depiction of the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) tomb, views of the Prophet’s (PBUH) mosque at Medina & the al-Baqi cemetery, Masjid al-Haram, Mount ‘Arafat & Jerusalem.
An illuminated Dala'il al-Khayrat, signed by Muhammad Adib al-Tucati. Double page illustration of Mecca & Medina, various marginal glosses, brown morocco binding with gilt-stamped medallions with flap.
Copied by Khaffaf Zadeh, opening bifolio with gold illuminated margins, including two original depictions of Mecca & Medina, a depiction of the Tombs of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) & first Caliphs.
Mustafâ al-Kûtâhî (d. 1787) (Calligrapher)
Jazūlī, Muḥammad ibn Sulaymān, d. 1465 (Author)
The Mosque at Mecca showing the 7 minarets on the surrounding walls, and the Ka'ba surrounded by kiosks & minbar on wheels.
Illustrations of the Great Mosque of Mecca and Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Mosque, by Al-Hajj Hafiz Muhammad Nuri, in The Dala'il al-Khayrat of al-Juzul.
19/ Dala’il al-Khayrat, 18th – early 19th century, Mughal, India
The depictions in Indian copies were often diagrammatic in nature, in contrast to the more realistic, three-dimentional representations in Ottoman copies.
Cats in Egypt have had a longer history than they have had in almost any other part of the world. Egypt was likely the first place where cats were domesticated 10,000 years ago & are still much loved today
It’s Caturday & to celebrate the weekend, a thread on the cats of Cairo…
1/ Cairo has a long history of caring for cats, which goes all the way back to the origins of the city and is firmly rooted in Egyptian culture, Islamic beliefs and sense of practicality #Caturday
2/ In Islam, cats are considered clean animals & the only animal to allowed to enter the Great Mosque of Mecca. There are many stories in the history books referencing Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) love of cats
A cat sleeping on Aq Sunqur Shrine in the Blue mosque, Cairo
#Caturday
Japan, renowned for its rich cultural heritage & deep historical roots, has gently incorporated Islam into its societal fabric. The story of Islam's introduction to Japan is one of cultural exchange & mutual respect.
A thread on Islam & Mosques in Japan...
1/ Islam made its way to Japan through various channels, including trade, academic exchanges, and diplomatic relations. As early as the 8th century, Japan interacted with Islamic civilizations via trade routes linking it to the Muslim world.
2/ However, it wasn't until the modern era that Islam became more visible in Japan.
Ever wondered who paved the way for the age of algorithms?
It was a 9th-century Muslim genius, mathematician, geographer & astronomer, Abu Abdallah Muhammad ibn Musa Al-Khwarizmi - also known as the Father of Algebra
A thread on the incredible Muhammad ibn Musa Al-Khwarizmi…
1/ Even the term algorithm is Al-Khwarizmi translated into Latin!
The scientist and mathematician Muhammad ibn Musa Al-Khwarizmi lived from 780 to 850 AD in Persia and Iraq.
2/ Al-Khwarizmi's most significant contribution to mathematics was the development of algebra. His book, "Kitab al-Jabr wal-Muqabala" (The Compendious Book on Calculation by Completion and Balancing), introduced systematic methods for solving linear and quadratic equations.
Latinized names of scholars who worked within Islamic culture and wrote mostly in Arabic.
Some are amongst the greatest minds in human history.
A thread…
1/ Ibn Sinã
Latinized
Avicenna
(11th c. CE)
The Muslim world's preeminent philosopher/physician, flourishing during the Islamic Golden Age. His book Qanün ut-Tibb influenced Europe until the 16th c. Of Persian birth but wrote mostly in Arabic.
2/ Ibn Rushd
Latinized
Averroës
(12th c. CE)
Arab Andalusian polymath who wrote on many subjects, including philosophy and medicine. The most influential commentator on Aristotle, he was known in the West as the 'Father of Rationalism.'
Turkey is a treasure trove of architectural wonders, natural beauty & ancient history. The country is at the point where Europe & Asia collide - it is this transcontinental culture-clash that enriches Turkey’s heritage.
A thread on Turkey’s beautiful cities & villages...
1/ Safranbolu A town in the Black Sea region of northern Turkey, once a stop on the trade route between Europe and the Orient. Its Ottoman architecture includes the old Çarşı district, with hundreds of preserved, red-roofed Ottoman houses on cobblestone streets
1.1/ Safranbolu is more of a museum-city, with its cobblestone streets, hill houses & natural beauty evidence of its worthiness of being declared a cultural asset. It was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites due to its well-preserved Ottoman era houses & architecture
For #StarWarsDay here is the awesome work of @_Muratpalta who illustrates iconic movies in Ottoman miniature style.
‘Ottoman Star Wars’ is one of his most renowned works #MayThe4thBeWithYou
A thread on @_Muratpalta Ottoman miniature take on movies…
1/ Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, Ottoman Miniature Style @_Muratpalta
A 1971 fantasy film which tells the story of a poor child named Charlie Bucket who, after finding a Golden Ticket in a chocolate bar, visits Willy Wonka's chocolate factory with four other children
As you probably guessed, this work depicts the final moments of Scarface (1983), where Tony Montana takes revenge on a team of assassins who have infiltrated his lavish compound