Arabic Manucscripts in the British Library
This collection brings together for the first time the Arabic manuscripts stemming from the British Museum Library with the less well-known collection from the former India Office Library.
The Holy Qur'an & Qur'anic Sciences
This section includes not only the complete work but also individual sections of the Qur'anic text and, in some cases, single pages of calligraphic importance. It contains works on the accepted reading traditions of the Qur'anic text and the specific rules of recitation. This section includes lexicographical works relating specifically to the Qur'an as well as mystical interpretations of the Qur'anic text. General works on Qur'anic science are also included.
Hadith, Kalam
Hadith includes the collections of traditions together with commentaries and glosses on them. Also covered are critical works, compilations of traditions on specific subjects, works on the chains of transmission and works which use hadith as proof texts. Kalam are works on theology in the widest sense with some works tending towards mysticism, philosophy or ethics. As the particular religious affiliation of individual authors is disregarded, this category is not subdivided further.
Fiqh (Islamic Law)
Works on the general principles of Islamic law and works on the application of Islamic law. Since in most cases the religious stance of the author is apparent, this category has been subdivided into the four Sunni schools and the Shiah school of law. Commentaries, legal monographs and compilations of fatwas are included. This section also includes works on inheritance and comperative works between the various schools of Islam law.
Islamic Mysticism & Philosophy
This section includes works of Moslim philosophers in all fields of philosophical study, as weel as versions of and commentaries on Greek texts. Works on practical philosophy covering general morality and conduct, both personal and public, are also included.
History & Biography
Arabic Language and Literature
Anthologies and literary miscellanies contains also collections of anecdotes, proverbs, belles-lettres in addition to anthologised collections of poetry and prose.
Arts, Sciences and Medicine
Protosciences is an umbrella term to include works of a magical, occult, amuletic and quasi-scientific nature. Other sciences is subdivided under agriculture, calligraphy, Chess, Conjuring, Cookery, Falconry, Gemmology, General Science, Mechanics, Hydraulics, Military, Music, Natural History, optics, pshychology, Sign language, Vetenary science, weights and measures.
Other Religious Literatures
This subject consists of Arabic works in Syriac scipt (Karshuni), and bilingual texts in addition to many works translated in to Arabic. It also includes Arabic works in Hebrew or Samaritan scripts as well as bilingual texts covering not only Jewish but also Muslim culture. Non-specific works, collections of velum and papyri fragments, personal papers and decorative calligraphic panels.
This collection brings together for the first time the Arabic manuscripts stemming from the British Museum Library with the less well-known collection from the former India Office Library.
The Holy Qur'an & Qur'anic Sciences
This section includes not only the complete work but also individual sections of the Qur'anic text and, in some cases, single pages of calligraphic importance. It contains works on the accepted reading traditions of the Qur'anic text and the specific rules of recitation. This section includes lexicographical works relating specifically to the Qur'an as well as mystical interpretations of the Qur'anic text. General works on Qur'anic science are also included.
Hadith, Kalam
Hadith includes the collections of traditions together with commentaries and glosses on them. Also covered are critical works, compilations of traditions on specific subjects, works on the chains of transmission and works which use hadith as proof texts. Kalam are works on theology in the widest sense with some works tending towards mysticism, philosophy or ethics. As the particular religious affiliation of individual authors is disregarded, this category is not subdivided further.
Fiqh (Islamic Law)
Works on the general principles of Islamic law and works on the application of Islamic law. Since in most cases the religious stance of the author is apparent, this category has been subdivided into the four Sunni schools and the Shiah school of law. Commentaries, legal monographs and compilations of fatwas are included. This section also includes works on inheritance and comperative works between the various schools of Islam law.
Islamic Mysticism & Philosophy
This section includes works of Moslim philosophers in all fields of philosophical study, as weel as versions of and commentaries on Greek texts. Works on practical philosophy covering general morality and conduct, both personal and public, are also included.
History & Biography
Arabic Language and Literature
Anthologies and literary miscellanies contains also collections of anecdotes, proverbs, belles-lettres in addition to anthologised collections of poetry and prose.
Arts, Sciences and Medicine
Protosciences is an umbrella term to include works of a magical, occult, amuletic and quasi-scientific nature. Other sciences is subdivided under agriculture, calligraphy, Chess, Conjuring, Cookery, Falconry, Gemmology, General Science, Mechanics, Hydraulics, Military, Music, Natural History, optics, pshychology, Sign language, Vetenary science, weights and measures.
Other Religious Literatures
This subject consists of Arabic works in Syriac scipt (Karshuni), and bilingual texts in addition to many works translated in to Arabic. It also includes Arabic works in Hebrew or Samaritan scripts as well as bilingual texts covering not only Jewish but also Muslim culture. Non-specific works, collections of velum and papyri fragments, personal papers and decorative calligraphic panels.