Rare Quran Manuscript Revealed in Najaf
Rare Quran Manuscript Attributed to Imam Ali on Display
The manuscript features early Kufic calligraphy and gold detailing between verses hallmarks of early Islamic scripture traditions
By Aziz Al-Mousawi | Iraq
A rare Quranic manuscript believed to be penned by Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib is now on display in Najaf as part of the annual Ghadir Week hosted by the Holy Alawi Shrine. The manuscript is showcased inside the historic Imran Ibn Shahin Mosque within the grounds of the shrine which houses a significant collection of early Islamic texts
The manuscript features early Kufic calligraphy and gold detailing between verses hallmarks of early Islamic scripture traditions. While scientific authentication has yet to confirm the attribution experts point to the style and materials as consistent with Quranic manuscripts from the first century of Islam
Curator Ammar Mashallah described the exhibit as an opportunity to engage with an object of rare historical and religious importance He noted that the manuscript represents a direct connection to Islam’s foundational generation offering insights into both the transmission of the Quran and the early aesthetics of Islamic writing
Other artifacts on display include several early Quran copies one of which is believed to date back to the fortieth year after the start of the Prophet Muhammad’s mission placing it among the oldest known Quranic manuscripts
Though the exhibition is local it reflects growing interest in Islamic manuscript preservation and serves as a platform for scholars and cultural institutions to engage with primary sources from early Islamic history.
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