Two Works on Islamic Beliefs and Practices

Walters manuscript W.665 is a codex comprising two works on Islamic beliefs and practices by the Ottoman writer Ahmet bin Muhammed Semsi Pasa (died 988 AH/AD 1580), entitled Tercümet ül-Vikaye (Translation of Vikaye) and I'tikadiyat (Beliefs), as inscribed in the titlepieces on fols. 2b and 29b, respectively. Both texts were copied in black Nasta'liq script in the 10th century AH/AD 16th. On fol. 2a is a note of approval by the famous Ottoman jurist Abu al-Su'ud (Ebussuud) Efendi (died 982 AH/AD 1574). The first composition, Tercümet ül-Vikaye, is a versification of the well-known Hanafi compendium of law, known as Wiqayat al-riwayah, by Mahmud ibn Sadr al-Shari'ah al-Mahbubi (active 7th century AH/AD 13th). The brown leather binding has a central oval medallion with pendants and cornerpieces with arabesques on a gold ground.

Provenance

Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.

Abu al-Su'ud Muhammad [Abu al-Su'ud Efendi] (died 982 AH/AD 1574 ) [date and mode of acquisition unknown] [approbation (recommendation) note on fol. 2a in Arabic signed by Abu al-Su'ud Muhammad; erased seal underneath with the number 712; note on fol. 1a on right mentions that the work was submitted to Abu al-Su'ud al-haqir for approval (imza)]; 'Abd al-Qadir al-Baghdadi [date and mode of acquisition unknown] [quotations from Khizanat al-adab probably by 'Abd al-Qadir al-Baghdadi dated 1180 AH/AD 1766-1777 and signed Rasmi]; Hasan Bey-zâde târîhi [date and mode of acquisition unknown] [quotations from Khizanat al-adab probably by Hasan Bey-zâde târîhi dated 1180 AH/AD 1766-1777 and signed Tarikh-i Hasan Begzade]; Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.