AN ILLUMINATED COLLECTION OF PRAYERS, INCLUDING DALA’IL AL-KHAYRAT, MOROCCO, 18TH CENTURY AN ILLUMINATED COLLECTION OF PRAYERS, INCLUDING DALA’IL AL-KHAYRAT, MOROCCO, 18TH CENTURY AN ILLUMINATED COLLECTION OF PRAYERS, INCLUDING DALA’IL AL-KHAYRAT, MOROCCO, 18TH CENTURY AN ILLUMINATED COLLECTION OF PRAYERS, INCLUDING DALA’IL AL-KHAYRAT, MOROCCO, 18TH CENTURY AN ILLUMINATED COLLECTION OF PRAYERS, INCLUDING DALA’IL AL-KHAYRAT, MOROCCO, 18TH CENTURY AN ILLUMINATED COLLECTION OF PRAYERS, INCLUDING DALA’IL AL-KHAYRAT, MOROCCO, 18TH CENTURY AN ILLUMINATED COLLECTION OF PRAYERS, INCLUDING DALA’IL AL-KHAYRAT, MOROCCO, 18TH CENTURY AN ILLUMINATED COLLECTION OF PRAYERS, INCLUDING DALA’IL AL-KHAYRAT, MOROCCO, 18TH CENTURY AN ILLUMINATED COLLECTION OF PRAYERS, INCLUDING DALA’IL AL-KHAYRAT, MOROCCO, 18TH CENTURY AN ILLUMINATED COLLECTION OF PRAYERS, INCLUDING DALA’IL AL-KHAYRAT, MOROCCO, 18TH CENTURY

AN ILLUMINATED COLLECTION OF PRAYERS, INCLUDING DALA’IL AL-KHAYRAT, MOROCCO, 18TH CENTURY

Reference: ART3001803

A fine Dala’il al-Khayrat, prayers in praise of the Prophet, Arabic manuscript on paper, in Maghribi script, 270 leaves plus 4 fly-leaves, each folio with 10 lines, in black ink, titles and important words picked out in gold, the chapter headings and certain words in primary colors and occasionally gold, with 8 stylised illuminated charts and graphs, double-page illuminations of the grave of Prophet Muhammad and the Minbar of Medina, in blind-tooled red-dyed calf binding with gilt highlights and cover flaps. 9.5 by 10 cm.

CATALOGUE NOTE Dala’il al-Khayrat reflect the spontaneous composition of salawat, the blessings and praise upon the Prophet, composed directly from the heart of a prominent Sufi master, Imam Al-Jazuli (died 1465). The composition has become an important prayer book in its native land, Morocco, which has also spread across the breadth of the Islamic lands. Today, Dala’il al-Khayrat is celebrated as the most acclaimed source on the salawat upon the Prophet Mohammad. Dala’il al-Khayrat has for centuries inspired calligraphers, illuminators and painters of court ateliers in producing sumptuous prayer manuscripts, which reflect the distinctive designs of various Islamic dynasties. These manuscripts uncover the story behind the text appreciation by patrons and calligraphers, and to bring to light the skills as well as the techniques of the craftsmen. The tradition of reciting the salawat of Dala’il al-Khayrat in public and private gatherings continues until today.