All printing rights reserved
Al-Khatib House
For printing and publishing the Noble Qur’an
Supervised by: Mr. Muhammad Abd al-Latif al-Khatib
Department of Endowments, Badr al-Sharif, Lattakia
Year: “1339 AH” (Hijri calendar). This corresponds to the year 1920 or 1921 in the Gregorian calendar, depending on the exact Islamic months involved. Therefore, this was made in approximately 1920 or 1921
Description: miniature Ottoman-script Qur’an from circa 1921 with illuminated gilt decoration, produced by Dar Al-Khatib. This decorative gold and colored cover indicates the book is a miniature, finely adorned printing of the Qur’an, handwritten by Mustafa Nazif, and traditionally dedicated or read for someone, which adds a mark of reverence and authenticity.
Significant provenance: Handwritten by Mr. Mustafa Nazif ‘Qara’atu li’
Mustafa Nazif, often cited as “Mustafa Nazif Kadırgalı Efendi,” was an accomplished Ottoman calligrapher known for producing beautifully written Qur’ans during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He worked in the naskh script, a highly regarded style for Qur’anic text, and his works were sometimes used as the basis for both handwritten and lithographically printed Qur’an manuscripts. His calligraphy was renowned for its elegance and was widely used in Ottoman Qur’ans, some of which are noted for their elaborate gold and colored illumination.
The phrase “Qara’atu li” (قرِئَت لي) means “recited for me” and is a traditional term sometimes seen in Qur’an manuscripts, signifying that the Qur’an was recited (read out loud) for the scribe or the patron, confirming the accuracy of the text before it was completed or published. This adds an extra layer of authenticity and reverence, reflecting a tradition of verified, orally checked copies.
